Brian Lara, sidelined with an elbow injury since last December, has declared himself fit for the upcoming series between West Indies and India. Following a knock of 71 for his Queen's Park Club against an English touring team, Sydenhurst Ramblers, on Thursday at the Queen's Park Oval, Lara told reporters: "I am fit to play in a test match.

"The selectors will be picking the team in a couple of days and they will be looking to hear from me. At this moment. I can give a positive answer. The most important thing is that I'm in the process of getting back to 100-percent fitness. It is going to be difficult but I'm looking forward to playing," he added.

"Every time I wake up and go into the nets or for therapy, there is some improvement. So, in the next seven or eight days, I could see more improvement."

Lara has been treated by orthopaedic surgeon Derrick Lousaing and physiotherapist Lisa Niles since picking up the injury in Sri Lanka during a collision with Marvan Attapatu. He missed the tests and one-day internationals against Pakistan played in Sharjah, and this year's Busta Cup and Busta Shield tournaments. But his hunger for the game has clearly not diminished: he was quoted recently as saying that he wants at least five more years in the game.

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