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Windies' Lara lost to Sixes

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Defending champions the West Indies have named a strong side for this month's New T&T/Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Sixes.

But only the keen cricket fan is likely to know that, for the star of the Caribbean - Brian Lara, the player most readily identifiable - is missing.

This is a problem for the Sixes organisers as the tournament moves into its sixth year - a make-or-break year in many ways for the popular event.

Despite having gained the recognition of the International Cricket Council last year, the Sixes is struggling to bring the name players to this 'brand-conscious' city.

Names put bodies in seats. And there are 40,000 seats at the Hong Kong Stadium. Organisers are hoping to draw about eight thousand people on each day of the September 27-28 tournament.

The West Indies are bringing along such outstanding players as Carl Hooper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, but they are hardly household names.

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