Rising

Former West Indies captain Brian Lara has been ruled out of the Indian Cricket League's Edelweiss 20s Challenge due to a forearm injury.

The 38-year-old batsman will be out of action for a month and former New Zealand opener Nathan Astle has been entrusted with the job of leading the Mumbai Champs side in the ICL.

Lara's absence was felt on Monday night as Mumbai Champs lost their opening Edelweiss 20s Challenge game to Delhi Giants by six wickets.

Lara sustained the injury six weeks ago in a game for Trinidad and Tobago and now has his left forearm in a cast.

Mumbai Champs physiotherapist Danny Redrup was quoted as saying in the Hindu newspaper: "(Lara) sustained a substantial distal ulna fracture which in some cases requires surgery.

"His arm was placed in a cast for five-and-a-half weeks. An X-ray taken in New Delhi showed slow but aligned healing.

"Due to the extent of the structural damage, Lara is still in significant discomfort when holding his bat. It is predicted that another two to four weeks will be required for appropriate healing to facilitate some batting practice."

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