Lara is TT’s best ever cricketer

WEST INDIES batsman Brian Lara was voted Trinidad and Tobago’s best ever cricketer at the Scotia Bank West Indian Jubilee “Pride of Trinidad and Tobago” cricket competition. Lara who recently re-established himself as the King of Test cricket with 400 not out, came out ahead of several local cricket legends. Fans in Trinidad and Tobago were asked to call in and vote for the cricketers of their choice in different categories. The top five cricketers according to the callers are Lara, Larry Gomes, Ian Bishop, Sonny Ramadhin and Learie Constantine.

Among those failing to get into the top bracket are Deryck Murray, Jeffrey Stollmeyer and Gerry Gomez. The vote for the best batting performance also went to Lara, as fans thought his 153 not out against Australia in Barbados in 1999 was the best ever innings played by a Trinidadian. Best bowling performance in Tests went to former speedster Ian Bishop for his six wickets for 40 runs against Australia at Perth in 1992. Phil Simmons got the nod for the best bowling performance in a one-day international for his excellent figures of 10-8-3-4 at Sydney in 1992 against Pakistan.

The names of the the top five  cricketers will now be put alongside the other top five cricketers from other West Indian territories and a final draw will be made next month. The search is on for the best West Indian cricketer ever, and those making the final grade will be honoured in London prior to the start of the West Indies tour of England in July. Here is the honour roll — Best Cricketer: Brian Lara. Five Top cricketers: Brian Lara, Larry Gomes, Ian Bishop, Sonny Ramadhin and Learie Constantine. Best Test Batting Perfor-mance: Brian Lara — 153 not out against Australia at Bridgetown, Barbados, in 1999. Best Test Bowling Perfor-mance: Ian Bishop — 6/40 against Australia in Perth, Western Australia, 1992. Best One-Day Performance: Phil Simmons — four wickets for three runs against  Pakistan at Sydney 1992.