“Brian Lara: Trinidadian Cricket Maestro, Record-Breaker, and Test’s Highest Scorer (400*), Leaving a Lasting Legacy in Cricket History.”
Full Name : Brian Charles Lara
Born : 2 May 1969 (age 54)
Place : Santa Cruz, Trinidad and Tobago
Height : 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Batting : Left-handed
Bowling : Right-arm leg break
Role : Batsman
- Matches: 299
- Wins: 139
- Losses: 144
- Draws: –
- Ties: 3
- No Result: 13
- Highest individual score: 400 not out against England in 2004.
- Reclaimed the Test record score with 375 against England in 1994.
- Second player (after Donald Bradman) to score two Test triple-centuries.
- Second (after Bill Ponsford) to score two first-class quadruple-centuries.
- Nine double-centuries in Test cricket.
- Scored five double-centuries as a captain.
About
Brian Lara, Born on May 2, 1969, in Trinidad, Brian Charles Lara stands as a cricketing legend, widely hailed as one of the greatest batsmen ever. His illustrious career is studded with records and accolades, cementing his place in cricket history.
Lara’s feats in Test cricket are unparalleled. His astonishing 400 not out against England in 2004 remains the highest individual score in a Test innings. Equally remarkable is his quintuple-hundred, scoring 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994, an unmatched milestone in first-class cricket.
Captaincy brought more glory as Lara led the West Indies to victory in the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy, a significant achievement for the team. Beyond his leadership, Lara’s iconic 153 not out against Australia in 1999 is lauded as the second-best batting performance in Test cricket, according to Wisden, trailing only Sir Donald Bradman’s historic 270 in 1937.
Lara’s impact reached off the field as well. The Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World awards in 1994 and 1995, along with the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year (shared with Sir Garfield Sobers and Shane Warne), reflect his global recognition.
Honorary titles followed, with Lara becoming a member of the Order of Australia in 2009, ICC’s Hall of Fame inductee in 2012–13, and Honorary Life Membership of the MCC in 2013.
Despite the accolades, Lara faced challenges, notably being nicknamed “The Prince of Port of Spain” and playing in the second-highest number of losing test matches (63).
In essence, Brian Lara’s legacy extends beyond records; he stands as a revered figure in cricket, celebrated for his extraordinary skills, leadership, and enduring impact on the sport.
Some key points about Brian Lara’s cricket career include:
- Test Cricket Records: Brian Lara holds the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket, scoring 400 not out against England in 2004. He achieved this milestone at Antigua’s Recreation Ground, surpassing the previous record of 380 set by Matthew Hayden. Lara’s innings of 400 remains the only quadruple century in Test cricket.
2. Other Batting Records: Lara is also known for holding the record for the highest individual score in first-class cricket, scoring 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994.
3. ODI Career: While Lara was more renowned for his Test exploits, he also had a successful ODI career. He played 299 ODIs, amassing over 10,000 runs with an average of around 40.
4. Captaincy: Lara captained the West Indies cricket team at various points in his career, but it was a challenging period for West Indies cricket, marked by inconsistent performances and team struggles.
5. Retirement: Brian Lara retired from international cricket in 2007. His retirement marked the end of an illustrious career, during which he achieved numerous records and accolades.
Apart from his cricketing achievements, Lara has been involved in various charitable activities and has also worked as a cricket commentator. His impact on the game, both in terms of records and the excitement he brought to cricket fans worldwide, has left a lasting legacy in the sport.
Early life
Brian Lara, born into a family of eleven siblings, received his early cricket education at the local Harvard Coaching Clinic by his father and sister.
Enrolling at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic primary, he later joined San Juan Secondary School and then Fatima College at fourteen, where cricket coach Harry Ramdass nurtured his talent.
At 14, Lara’s remarkable school performance led to selection for the Trinidad and Tobago national under-16 team. A year later, he played in his inaugural West Indian under-19 youth tournament and represented the West Indies in Under-19 cricket at the age of 15.
Cricket career
Early first-class career
Brian Lara’s breakthrough in 1987 came in the West Indies Youth Championships, where he set a record with 498 runs, surpassing Carl Hooper’s previous mark of 480. He captained Trinidad and Tobago to victory, contributing a match-winning 116.
The following year, Lara made his first-class debut for Trinidad and Tobago in the Red Stripe Cup against Leeward Islands. In a standout performance, he scored 92 against a Barbados attack featuring Joel Garner and Malcolm Marshall.
In 1988, Lara led the West Indies team in Australia for the Bicentennial Youth World Cup, reaching the semi-finals. His reputation continued to grow with a captain’s innings of 182 against the touring Indian team.
Despite being selected for the West Indies team in 1989, Lara withdrew due to his father’s passing. In 1990, he captained a West Indies B Team in Zimbabwe, scoring 145.
At just 20 years old, Lara became Trinidad and Tobago’s youngest captain in 1990, leading them to victory in the one-day Geddes Grant Shield. That year also marked his belated Test debut against Pakistan and his ODI debut against Pakistan, showcasing his early promise in both formats.
International career
In January 1993, Brian Lara’s cricket journey took a turning point with a stunning 277 against Australia in Sydney, marking his first Test century in his fifth appearance. This innings proved pivotal as West Indies clinched the series 2–1, and Lara named his daughter Sydney in honor of the feat.
Lara’s international track record boasts 131 Tests and 299 ODIs. Known for high scores, he holds world records for the highest individual score in both first-class cricket (501 not out in 1994) and Test cricket (400 not out in 2004). He reclaimed the Test record score with 375 in 1994.
Captaincy challenges marked Lara’s stint from 1998 to 1999, including a whitewash by South Africa. Yet, his standout performances, like scoring 546 runs against Australia, showcased his resilience. The Wisden 100 rates his 153 not out against Australia in 1998–99 as the second-best innings ever.
In 2001, Lara was named the Man of the Carlton Series in Australia. His stellar 2004 performance led West Indies to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy. Amid controversies in 2005, Lara briefly declined selection but returned, contributing significantly with a massive 196 and a Test century against Pakistan.
Reaching 10,000 ODI runs in 2006, Lara announced his retirement from one-day cricket post the 2007 Cricket World Cup. His final international game in April 2007, against England in the World Cup, concluded a remarkable career. Glenn McGrath acknowledged Lara as the greatest batsman he had ever bowled to.
- 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994, the highest individual score in first-class cricket.
- Named in the World Test XI by ICC for his performances in 2004 and 2005.
- Reached 10,000 One Day International runs in 2006.
- Led West Indies to victory in the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy.
- Captained the West Indies from 1998 to 1999.
- Successfully led West Indies to One-Day series victories against Zimbabwe and India in 2006.
- Retired from one-day cricket post the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
- Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World awards in 1994 and 1995.
- Named Man of the Series in the Test match away series against England in 1995.
- Man of the Match in both Tests against South Africa in 2003.
- Man of the Carlton Series in Australia in 2001.
- Announced retirement from one-day cricket after the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
- Final international game on April 21, 2007, in a World Cup match against England.
Personal life
In 1989, Lara’s father passed away from a heart attack. Subsequently, in 2002, his mother succumbed to cancer.
During the 2009 US President’s tour of Trinidad and Tobago, Barack Obama expressed a desire to meet Lara, dubbing him the “Michael Jordan of cricket.”
Lara shares two daughters with Trinidadian journalist and model Leasel Rovedas. He has also been romantically linked with former British lingerie model Lynnsey Ward.
Lara has dated former Durham County Cricket Club receptionist and British lingerie model Lynnsey Ward. During the West Indies tour to Australia in late 2000, Lara was accompanied by Ward. Lara also dated Miss Scotland Jamey Bowers.
Lara is the father of two girls one called Sydney (born 1996) whom he fathered with Trinidadian journalist and model Leasel Rovedas. Sydney was named as a tribute to one of Lara’s favourite grounds, the Sydney Cricket Ground, where Lara scored his first Test century- the highly acclaimed 277 in the 1992–93 season. His second daughter Tyla was also with Leasel Rovedas and she was born in 2010.
Honours
In 2009, Brian Lara received the honorary Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for contributions to West Indian and Australian cricket. Later, in July, he was selected among four individuals to be honored with the highest award from the Caribbean Community (Caricom). On January 10, 2007, Lara was granted an honorary doctorate from the University of Sheffield, celebrated at the Trinidad Hilton, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
In September 2009, the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club made Lara an honorary lifetime member. Subsequently, on October 29, 2011, the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, awarded him an honorary doctorate of laws. Lara’s induction into the ICC’s Hall of Fame took place on September 14, 2012, during an awards ceremony in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as part of the 2012–13 season.
In 2017, the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago was inaugurated in his honor. The recognition continued on July 4, 2019, when Lara was bestowed with an honorary doctorate by the D Y Patil International University of India.
