WIs coach King confident of Lara being fit for India match

Ahmedabad, Oct 23 (UNI) West Indies captain Brian Lara is fighting to get fit for Thursday's Champions Trophy encounter against India, though coach Bennett King expected him to be fine for the match.

Speaking to reporters here today, King said Brian was still having his back worked up by the physio. However, he expressed confidence that Lara would be fit in time for the crucial tie against India here on October 26.

King said that there are still certain areas on which they need to work on ahead of the clash against India.

''We are looking forward to the match on Thursday. He, however, said that though the team would be taking the confidence and the momentum they have got due to their victory against world champions Australia in Mumbai, the match against India would be a new match played at a different ground with different wicket and conditions than that we encountered in Mumbai,'' he said.

King said that suddenly a lot of possibilities looking to the future have opened up.

''Even now, after Australia, we feel we have such a lot of improvement to do. We have to evolve with the team. We have got some good history with India,'' he added.

The West Indian coach also praised the role that Clive Lloyd has been playing with the team during the present tournament.

''He has been very good. He tells the boys stories about when he played and supports them by giving them tips and ideas on how to further improve,'' he informed.

''We encourage him (Lloyd) to say what he feels. And we encourage the players to listen. It is the case of how Clive Lloyd has been effective as a cricketer and the players are comfortable talking with him. That is an important part.'' On the fitness problems his team has been experiencing, King said that ''though we had a few fitness issues, the players are resilient. They want to get onto the field.'' UNI GS SSS DH RAI1834