Lara receives Antiguan national award

ST. JOHN’S: West Indies cricket captain Brian Lara was among 27 people named for national awards yesterday as Antigua and Barbuda observed their 23rd anniversary of independence. Lara was recognised for achieving the world record of the highest individual score in Test cricket —  400 —  during the fourth and final Test against England in April at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG). It was the second time in 10 years that the West Indies batting genius had broken the record at the ARG against the same opponents.  When he achieved the feat, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer said Lara would be given a national award.

The Trinidad and Tobago left-handed batsman is the recipient of the country’s third highest award —  the Grand Cross of the Most Illustrious Order of Merit —  GCM. Lara joins his former Test colleague, fast bowler Courtney Walsh, a GCM recipient, as the other non-national sporting icon to receive an Antiguan national award.  Walsh received his on the attainment of being the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket in 2002. Also honoured were politicians, diplomats, professionals, businessmen and sports administrators. Two sports administrators —  former Leeward Islands batsman Enoch Lewis, a director of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and President of the Antigua Cricket Association, and Fitzroy Brann, the director of the Sports and Games Department for about 30 years —  were also recognised for their contributions to sports development. Lewis received the Order of Merit and Brann the Order of Princely Heritage.