Lara not thinking about retirement

Brian Lara: 'As long as I stay fit, I will play' © Getty Images

Brian Lara has said that he is not thinking about retiring from cricket. Lara, who is one of ten players to reject the West Indies Cricket Board's match contracts for the current tour of Sri Lanka, stated that he planned to continue playing Test cricket.

"I'm just staying fit," he told TV6 Sports. "It is very important at my age that you keep playing cricket and stay fit, so that's what I have been doing while I'm not in Sri Lanka. I would have preferred to be there playing for West Indies but I'm enjoying spending time with my daughter and waiting to play again."

Lara stated that when that time comes, he will be raring to go. "I'm prepared to play cricket for the West Indies at any time," said the 36-year-old. "Cricket is my life and it has been since the age of five so the first opportunity I get, I'll be back playing for West Indies."

After the Sri Lankan series, West Indies don't play till the tour of Australia in November. However, Lara is part of the World squads to play against Australia in the Super Series in October.

Lara said he had not specified a date when he would call it a day. "I don't know," he hesitated briefly. "As long as I stay fit, I will play. I have cut back a lot in terms of one-day matches because I'm trying to get as much longevity or rather as many years as I can before then. So as long as I remain an asset and not turn into a liability, I'll continue playing."