History-maker Brian Lara has penned down his incredible cricketing journey in his new book – Lara: The England Chronicles. The book was released on July 2 and published by Fairfield Book. Brian Lara, one of the greatest batters, had a special connection with England throughout his illustrious career.
In the book, Brian Lara talked about several phases of his life, from the tough times to breaking records to winning trophies. Lara shared the thought process whenever he entered the middle and what motivated him to score runs.
Brian Lara’s incredible cricket career
Brian Lara, one of the greatest batters, had a special connection with England throughout his illustrious career. The left-handed batter, who was known for his flamboyant batting and imperious stroke-making, scripted history in Birmingham with a 501-run knock in a county cricket match while playing for Warwickshire. Brian Lara still remains the only batter to score 500 in first-class cricket.
The Windies great Brian Lara also registered the highest score in Test cricket – 400 against England in 2004 at Antigua Recreation Ground, St John’s, Antigua. His final international game – an ODI also came up against England in 2007. He finished his incredible Test career with 11953 runs in 131 Tests at a staggering average of 52.88.
After retiring from international cricket in 2007, Lara tried his hand in commentary and also coached an IPL team – Sunrisers Hyderabad. Meanwhile, Lara: The England Chronicles is the Windies legend’s first fully co-authored book. Brian Lara spoke about the book he recently launched and also expressed the following 2 Indian batters to break his long pending red ball cricket records.
Seeking about the glorious past of West Indian great test cricket legacy , Brian Lara seeing woeful performances from West Indies in recent times spoke about the lack of infusion of money as a part of decline of red ball cricket in West Indies.
Legendary Brian Lara feels infusion of money is not the answer to West Indies’ woes in Test cricket ahead of 1st Test vs England
West Indian batting legend Brian Lara reckons pouring money into the Windies’ cricket ecosystem is not necessarily going to improve their game. The former skipper’s comments came in the wake of the team’s disappointing performance against England in the ongoing opening Test.
West Indies are on the brink of a deflating loss at Lord’s. The hosts bowled them out for 121 on Day 1 before amassing 371 to take a significant first-innings lead. At the end of the second day, the West Indies are reeling at 79-6, needing 171 more to make England bat again.
Speaking on BBC’s World Service’s Stumped podcast, Brian Lara blamed the West Indies cricket board for not doing enough to build their system well. The 55-year-old claimed:
“If you put 100 million, 200 million dollars into the West Indies’ bank account, is it going to change the way we play the game? I’m not sure. We are not harnessing the talent that we have. The West Indies Cricket Board hasn’t done the right job in attracting these sponsors to ensure that at least grassroots, but also the academy, all the different things, the facilities, are up to standard. I think these things are very, very important.”
West Indies came into the series with some promise, especially on the bowling front after Shamar Joseph bowled them to a win over Australia in Brisbane in January.
However, they weren’t as effective at Lord’s as Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Jamie Smith struck half-centuries to take England to a healthy total.
Brian Lara laments the lack of interest in Test cricket among West Indies fans
Brian Lara recalled how crowds were in abundance outside the Queen Park’s Oval at Trinidad when he was a kid, unlike today. The 131-Test veteran elaborated:
“We don’t have anybody coming through the gate. I walked in Lord’s about 7.30am on Wednesday and outside there were people waiting. That was something I was accustomed to as a kid, getting to the Queens Park [in Trinidad and Tobago] at 05.30 and waiting for the gate to be open. That’s not happening. You get there at 11 o’clock and there is an empty stadium.”
The Windies last won a series in England in 1988 and its really sad to see tat once a greats of red ball cricket is now struggling to find their foot in the Test arena.