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Brian Lara has kept his job as West Indies captain, but Barbadians will not have a chance to see him in action before the March 26-March 30 third Cable & Wireless Test.

The Trinidadian left-hander was named yesterday to captain the West Indies for the remainder of the Test series and One-Day International series against Australia, but will miss today's Busta Cup final against Barbados at Kensington Oval, starting at 10 a.m.

In reappointing Lara, the West Indies Cricket Board, which placed him on probation because of its dissatisfaction with his leadership in South Africa, said it had no hesitation in endorsing the selection committee's recommendation to retain him.

And while the visitors lose Lara, Barbados will be without captain Roland Holder, who is unable to play because of an ankle injury sustained in the first Test at Queen's Park Oval, Port-of-Spain.

Barbados coach William Bourne said yesterday: ``We will miss him as skipper and as a middle-order batsman, but we are still positive and remain confident of winning the game.''

Sherwin Campbell, the West Indies opening batsman, who has been the Barbados vice-captain, will lead the side, and seasoned left-hander Ricky Hoyte will fill the breach.

Ellis Lewis, manager of the Trinidad and Tobago side, reported early yesterday that Lara would miss the final on doctor's advice, since he risked further injury to his already damaged left wrist.

Lara is expected in Barbados to watch the four-day game. His place in the 13-man squad was taken by opening batsman Leon Romero, who arrived yesterday evening.

Trinidad and Tobago were hoping to have Lara in the team for the final as they seek their first regional first-class title in 14 years. The last four-day triumph was winning the Shell Shield in 1985.

Barbados, seeking to win their 16th regional first-class championship, played unbeaten to top the preliminary competition on 72 points and prevailed over Jamaica by six wickets in the semifinals.