Magnificent performance

We are thrilled to offer our warmest congratulations to Brian Charles Lara on his world record breaking performance yesterday in Antigua. It brought excitement, joy and pleasure in the greatest measure to West Indians everywhere, and we can hardly imagine the feelings of those in Antigua who saw at first hand this great moment in West Indies and cricket history, and who can say with pride, “we were there.” After the recent disaster of West Indies cricket and despite the great showing on Saturday and Sunday, few would have been prepared to bet that Lara would make the 87 runs needed to reclaim the world record of 380 snatched away by Australian Matthew Hayden last October against Zimbabwe.

But once again Lara has shown the great talent he possesses, a talent of such genius that it is incomprehensible to us when he fails so many times at the crease. But for yesterday’s performance Lara would have emerged from this series against England a total failure both as captain and player. Instead today he is a hero, a champion, a man who can do it.  Alas, when he wants to do it. In an interview on Sunday afternoon in Antigua, while Lara did not state that he would be going all out to reclaim the world record there was a certain sparkle in his eyes that told it all. He took his time, was careful and focused and by George, he achieved it.

We also congratulate Ramnaresh Sarwan on his score of 90, Chris Gayle who made 69, and of course Ridley Jacobs, who stood like a man opposite Lara and saw Lara through to the record, even as he himself (Jacobs) made more than a century. Having before lunch reclaimed the record of 380, Lara went on after lunch to achieve another major event scoring 400 runs. Since cricket began in 1877 Lara is the first batsman in the world to score 400 runs in a Test match.

Lara has the highest score in First class cricket of 501 and the 700 total in this 1st innings by his team was magnificent and a record in itself. The West Indies will nonetheless have lost this series against England but this last Test match was a performance designed to give the kiss of life to dying West Indian cricket. Well done guys and best of luck as you regroup.