24 September 2004	Friday	08 Shaban 1425

LONDON, Sept 23: West Indies coach Gus Logie is expecting captain Brian Lara to lead the team in Saturday's ICC Champions Trophy final against England at The Oval.

Lara was hit on the back of the neck by a rising delivery from Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar during Wednesday's seven-wicket semifinal win at the Rose Bowl and had to retire hurt. But Logie insisted the 35-year-old left-handed batsman would lead the team at The Oval on Saturday as West Indies bid for their first major one-day title since beating England in the 1979 World Cup Final at Lord's.

"He's in good spirits and will take part in team training tomorrow. Brian being Brian he wants to play and lead the side and I'm not going to stand in his way," former West Indies batsman Logie told reporters at the team's London hotel on Thursday.

"It is just bruising not concussion," added Logie of Lara's injury. "It was just a precaution that he went off. We were in the gym this (Thursday) morning and Brian was there first thing."

England fast bowler Stephen Harmison and star pace bowling all-rounder Andrew Flintoff have both enjoyed success against Lara with the short ball. They are bound to test Lara again on Saturday even though England coach Duncan Fletcher warned earlier on Thursday against a bouncer barrage. -AFP