BRIAN LARA, the West Indies' record breaking batsman, is likely to play in next month's World Cup after being selected in a provisional 20-man squad.

Lara's future was in doubt after he refused to tour Australia in protest against a fine imposed by the West Indies Cricket Board of Control following last year's tour of England.

He was fined 10 per cent of his tour fee for going "absent without leave".

Lara returned to domestic cricket at the weekend, scoring a century in trials for the Trinidad and Tobago side, and yesterday his agent, Jonathan Barnett, said he had spoken to Lara about the World Cup.

Barnett also said Lara would not be playing English county cricket this year after pulling out of his three-year contract with county champions Warwickshire.