FORMER West Indies captain Brian Lara returned to form in spectacular fashion on Saturday when he scored 176 runs in a three-day match against Zimbabwe at Arundel on Saturday. The West Indies reached 364 for six by the close as Zimbabwe struggled to cope with the left-hander’s impressive batting. Lara reached his century off 93 balls just before tea on the first day of the three-day match before eventually being bowled by left-arm medium-pacer Bryan Strang. He shared a stand of 276 with opener Sherwin Campbell, who scored 141 not out, and hit 25 fours and five sixes off 163 balls. Lara, the world record holder for both test and individual innings, had struggled to find his touch recently with just 13 runs in his previous four innings. Zimbabwe’s failure to cope with the resurgent Lara was not helped by their decision to rest strike bowler Heath Streak. West Indies reached 214 for two at tea with Campbell on 77 and Lara hitting 110 but once Lara was dismissed they slumped from 331 for two to 364 for six. Strang finished with three for 49 after taking the wickets of Jimmy Adams and Ramnaresh Sarwan. The West Indies again rested opening bowlers Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh as they prepare to meet England in the first test at Edgbaston in Birmingham starting next Thursday.