Time to knuckle down

Lara: Looking to revive his Test career

Former England captain Brian Close has backed Brian Lara to come good in the forthcoming Test series against England, but only if he is prepared to put in plenty of hard work.

He managed only two runs in his first three innings on tour but Close believes the adage 'Form is temporary, class is permanent' will hold true if his mental approach is right.

"What he is guilty of at the moment is not playing enough cricket. When he has played enough and gets a few runs, he will start to get his mind right.

"You do not train your mind for cricket by gallivanting. That will not get his mind set.

"The great players of years ago trained their minds and made sure they were always ready to play. Tom Graveney, for example, used to say he wanted to feel a bat in his hands every single day of his life to make sure he stayed in touch," he said.

Lara's record score in 1994

Lara looks certain to return to the West Indies Test team at Edgbaston next week after opting out of the home series against Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

Warwickshire chief executive Dennis Amiss shares Close's view but believes the occasion will inspire Lara.

"Now he has made his mind up that he wants to do it, there is personal pride in playing for your country and I think Brian will come good. He will reslish the bigger occasion too.

"When there is a big crowd, which it looks as if there will be at Edgbaston, it is the sort of stage that will help him.

"Once you are there in that sort of atmosphere, it doens't half concentrate the mind," said Amiss.

Lara made his world record score of 501 on the same ground six years ago.

"He will get a great reception. The crowd would like to see him get a century - but England to win," Amiss added.