Lara presents bat to Mandela

Lara, who holds the records for the highest individual scores in First-Class and Test cricket, said the bat was one he had "unfortunately used against South Africa and scored a couple of hundreds."

The inscription on the bat read, "To a man that has inspired the world. I love you president Mandela. My best wishes to a personal hero," according to the South African Press Association.

The 87-year-old Mandela joked with Lara in front of photographers, leaning on his walking stick and the arm of his personal assistant. Mandela has been ordered to limit his public appearances because of ill health.

Lara, in South Africa to play two matches for the Jacques Kallis Benefit, expressed regret that he could not meet Mandela when he was in Trinidad and Tobago last year. Mandela had been in the Caribbean with Archbishop Desmond Tutu to raise support for South Africa’s ultimately successful bid to host football’s 2010 World Cup.

"I asked," Mandela said playfully, according to SAPA. "But he didn’t want to meet me."