rally round the west indies.....
28 December 2003 05:18
Brian Lara Lara receives a plaque from chairman of selectors and former captain Sir Vivian Richards in Lara's 100th Test.
SIGNAL TO BRIAN LARA!
by WICB
WEEKLY COLUMN OF THE WICB
Electrifying. Thrilling. Spectacular. Dynamic. Sensational. Regal. Majestic. These words have been used time and again to describe the batting mastery of West Indies captain Brian Lara.
No West Indies cricketer of the modern era has thrilled cricket fans all over the world like Brian and, today, the West Indies Cricket Board takes the opportunity to congratulate him on the milestone of his 100th Test for the West Indies. This is only the latest landmark in what has been a monumental career for the gifted left-hander.
Only a few weeks ago, he became the West Indies' leading scorer in Tests, and a few days ago, hit a world record 28 of the penultimate over from Robin Peterson on the third day of the opening Test against South Africa at Johannesburg in an amazing sixth Test double hundred.
We all know that Brian held the world record for the highest Test innings until Australia's Matthew Hayden shattered it a few weeks ago, but he still holds the record for the highest first-class innings of 501.
While the two world records will hold special significance, there have been other times when his batting has been sheer brilliance. Who can forget the 1999 Cable & Wireless Series against Australia in which his scores included 62, 213, 153 not out and 100? Or the 2001 series against Sri Lanka when he smothered champion off-spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan in scoring 688 runs in three Tests?
PHENOMENAL FORM
This year, Brian has been in phenomenal form. Prior to the Durban Test, he had scored 1,261 runs in nine Tests to put him among the top five run scorers, and he returned to the No.1 position on the PriceWaterhouseCoopers batting ratings.
Multiple honours, batting records, captaincy of the West Indies team, and a special place in West Indies and, indeed, international cricket history have all adorned Brian's glittering career.
Brian has been a jewel in the crown of West Indies cricket for a long time. It is a measure of his durability and sense of pride that today, at 34, he can be still considered the most dangerous batsman in international cricket when most at his age are going into decline.
Some of his contemporaries from other Test sides in the world may not always want to admit it, but the sight of Brian with that characteristic high bat lift, crouched low and waiting to pounce like a predator still sends chills down their spine and it is always evident when they claim his wicket.
It is usually accompanied by wild celebrations that would not be out of place on the streets of Port of Spain at Carnival, the Spring Garden Highway at Crop Over or on the streets of Kingstown for Vincy Mas.
CLASS ACT
During the glory days of the 1980s, a T-shirt worn by many West Indies players read: "Class is permanent, form is temporary". Brian is, beyond all shadow of a doubt, a class act and we salute him.
In the present team, Brian is the surviving connection to the glorious days of West Indies cricket. Many West Indians believe our team will soon, once again, dominate world cricket and have identified that he will be at the heart of it over the next few years.
Brian has steeled himself for this task. Right now, his passion however, is to resuscitate the fortunes of West Indies cricket and leave a triumphant legacy for current and future players.
By dint of example, Brian is trying to demonstrate to his teammates what is required to become one of the most influential players in international cricket. He has ridden the crest of the wave and knows full well the highs and lows of the great expectations that can add pressure to his teammates job.
In retrospect, it was a learning curve not only for Brian, but for us too. In the space of two months in 1994, he went from being a stripling to the darling of the cricket world and was the first real hero for the Caribbean in the modern era of professional sports.
In some ways this transition could have been managed better. We are sincere in our commitment not to allow other bright, young men in West Indies cricket to take this type of journey without the requisite support. We challenge others in sports administration to take similar measures.
Fortunately, Brian has risen above time and chance and remains one of the most charismatic figures in the game. Long may he play! Hip, hip, hooray!
