KANDY (Sri Lanka), Dec 16: Star West Indian batsman Brian Lara was recovering at a hotel after undergoing surgery to his dislocated left elbow, cricket officials said here Sunday.

Lara was rushed to the general hospital here Saturday after colliding with Sri Lankan fielder Marvan Atapattu while attempting a quick run during the tri-series match.

Earlier, it was believed that Lara had been airlifted to Colombo, but medical facilities in this hill resort were found to be good enough.

The West Indies team manager Ricky Skerritt said Lara wanted to thank the hospital staff for taking care of him during his seven-hour stay.

“Skerritt said Sri Lanka should be proud of the speed and efficiency of the medical team and the Kandy general hospital staff,” a Sri Lankan cricket board statement said.

Lara is likely to be ruled out for the tour of Pakistan in February, as well as the home series against India in April.

The prolific left-hander was in terrific form during the recent Test series against Sri Lanka, in which he made 688 runs in three matches.—AFP