Eat your hearts out

“HIS ACHIEVEMENT is absolutely out of this world and his detractors can eat their hearts out. He should be left as captain of the West Indies team, there is no dispute about that.” These were the sentiments expressed yesterday by Clive Pantin, commenting on the latest international cricket record established by his former student, Brian Charles Lara. Pantin, chairman of the Foundation for the Enhancement and Enrichment of Life (FEEL) and former principal of Lara’s alma mater Fatima College, wants someone to calculate the number of miles Lara covered while he was at the crease, re-establishing his presence at a time when many had written him out of the game.

Pantin said Lara’s performance was a testament to his fitness, dedication and commitment to the game. Pantin proudly said: “His maturity has been revealed to most people as he has demonstrated how much he has grown in stature, accepting the criticisms which came his way, yet he stood his ground.” He said he sent Lara a note last week with the accompanying words: “Fatima boys never give up.” He said while he expected Lara to put his best foot forward, he never imagined Lara would reclaim the title of world record holder for the highest individual test score. Pantin suggested that the Government could honour the cricket superstar on his latest achievement by supporting some or all of Lara’s charitable foundations which help the underprivileged.

Does Pantin think Lara is better equipped to deal with the fame, and glory this time around? “Oh yes, he is definitely much better prepared as he had no one before to help him work with this fame, but he has weathered the storms to become a very good leader, and should be left as captain.” While this victory will serve as a confidence and morale booster for the rest of the team, Pantin is optimistic it may help save the upcoming one day matches as “new hope has emerged in the breast of every West Indian.” Former West Indian wicket keeper, Deryck Murray, jubilantly labelled Lara’s performance as “outstanding and unbelievable.” “It was excellent for Brian to just create the record, but to regain it is unprecedented,” he declared. “West Indies cricket certainly needs celebrations like this.” Murray said  that Monday’s feat represented “an added challenge for Lara, and he responded like a true champion.” He said this achievement will rekindle and restore the spirits of players and cricket lovers and there is now renewed hope for the upcoming tour of England.