Monday, April 12, 2004
Brian Lara goes quadruple!!!
Brian Lara is nuts. His side was on its way to its worst ever defeat -- a whitewash at the hands of the visiting English side. His own performances in the first three tests were pathetic. He had to apologise twice to West Indian fans for absymal scores, including the West Indies's lowest ever score. His captaincy may have been on the line. So, the man decided to compensate.
By scoring the first ever quadruple hundred in cricket history. By becoming the first man since the incomparable Don Bradman to score two triple hundreds. By becoming the first person to own the world record for highest score twice. By having the audacity to break Matt Hayden's previous world record with a six followed by a four to break the record. By providing one of sport's greatest moments. Last but not the least, by ensuring his team would not have to endure a whitewash at the hands of a team the West Indies used to routinely thrash in the 80's.
Simon Cambers wrote thusly on the reaction when Lara broke the record in a piece entitled "I was there!" -- The new record, brought up next ball with a sweep for four, was as much a relief as anything. Lara leapt in the air, kissed the middle of the pitch, and was congratulated by all the English players, half the crowd and the Antiguan prime minister. The crowd gave him what must be one of the longest standing ovations ever seen in sport, and it's a mark of respect that the English supporters, in a huge majority once again, rose to acclaim Lara's genius.
I still continue to believe Sachin Tendulkar is the best player in world cricket today. Given his all-new and watchful approach to cricket though, Brian Lara and Matt Hayden are snapping at his heels. But that leaves open the question -- is Brian Charles Lara the greatest West Indian batsman ever? This is a toughie given that other contenders include Gary Sobers and Viv Richards. I think this performance by Lara probably tips things in his favour. Either way, this is fantastic for West Indian cricket, which was going through a demoralizing patch, under attack by a combination of bad team form and the power of U.S. television beaming in the NBA. Would be great for international cricket if the Windies could get back to being at least a shadow of the team they were not so long ago.
By scoring the first ever quadruple hundred in cricket history. By becoming the first man since the incomparable Don Bradman to score two triple hundreds. By becoming the first person to own the world record for highest score twice. By having the audacity to break Matt Hayden's previous world record with a six followed by a four to break the record. By providing one of sport's greatest moments. Last but not the least, by ensuring his team would not have to endure a whitewash at the hands of a team the West Indies used to routinely thrash in the 80's.
Simon Cambers wrote thusly on the reaction when Lara broke the record in a piece entitled "I was there!" -- The new record, brought up next ball with a sweep for four, was as much a relief as anything. Lara leapt in the air, kissed the middle of the pitch, and was congratulated by all the English players, half the crowd and the Antiguan prime minister. The crowd gave him what must be one of the longest standing ovations ever seen in sport, and it's a mark of respect that the English supporters, in a huge majority once again, rose to acclaim Lara's genius.
I still continue to believe Sachin Tendulkar is the best player in world cricket today. Given his all-new and watchful approach to cricket though, Brian Lara and Matt Hayden are snapping at his heels. But that leaves open the question -- is Brian Charles Lara the greatest West Indian batsman ever? This is a toughie given that other contenders include Gary Sobers and Viv Richards. I think this performance by Lara probably tips things in his favour. Either way, this is fantastic for West Indian cricket, which was going through a demoralizing patch, under attack by a combination of bad team form and the power of U.S. television beaming in the NBA. Would be great for international cricket if the Windies could get back to being at least a shadow of the team they were not so long ago.
