Lara will work with Zimbabwe's players during the World Cup.—AFP

HARARE: West Indies great Brian Lara has signed up as a batting consultant for the Zimbabwe cricket team.

The 41-year-old Trinidadian will work with Zimbabwe's players during the World Cup on the subcontinent starting in February and leading up to the country's return to test cricket after a five-year absence, in May at home against Bangladesh.

Lara announced the deal to the local media in Harare on Wednesday, saying ''it's a well-structured contract. I'm definitely looking forward to working with the team.''

Lara retired from first-class cricket in 2008 but is currently playing for a local Zimbabwean team in a Twenty20 tournament.

Lara hit 34 centuries in 131 tests with a world-record score of 400 not out and an average of 52.88.