Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 540 Sat. December 03, 2005  
   
Sports


Aussie rain bids Lara farewell


West Indies superstar Brian Lara's final appearance in Australia was washed out Friday when a massive storm forced the abandonment of the tourists' match against the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra.

Lara was 13 not out when torrential rain hit Manuka Oval.

The match is expected to be the last on Australian soil for Lara, who last week passed former Australian captain Allan Border's all time Test run scoring record.

The tourists were three wickets down for 174 runs in the 32nd in reply to the Prime Minister's XI innings of 316-4 when rain stopped play in the one-day match.

The PM's XI won the match by six runs under the Duckworth-Lewis system.

It was likely to be Lara's last appearance with a West Indies touring party. The Australians won the Test series 3-0.

Ramnaresh Sarwan made 90 for the visitors before being caught on the deep midwicket boundary off Chris Simpson, while Dwayne Bravo remained 54 not out.

West Australian batsman Adam Voges was the top scorer for the PM's XI with 90, while South Australian Callum Ferguson made 70 not out.

Test opener and team captain Justin Langer provided a late innings cameo, blasting 37 runs after coming to the crease with just four and a half overs to go.