Brian Charles Lara - The King

Full name Brian Charles Lara
Born May 2, 1969, Cantaro, Santa Cruz, Trinidad
Current age 36 years 220 days
Major teams West Indies,ICC World XI,
Northern Transvaal, Trinidad & Tobago,Warwickshire
Batting style Left-hand bat

This is a somewhat late post. But it has to be done. He utterly deserves it. He is the best in the current generation (1990 onwards) of cricketers. No-one since Don Bradman has built massive scores as often and as fast as Lara in his pomp. Although some argues that Sachin Tendulkar is better many neutrals (I’m not a neutral, after Sri Lanka Windies are my favourite team!) lean towards Lara. With his eye catching stance with bat raised high, weight balanced on his right foot is a sight many cricket lovers love to see. This is the only man to reclaim the highest scorer in an innings record. This is a batsman who has scored 688 runs in a 3 match series (against Sri Lanka) with scores of 221 & 130, but ended up in the losing side.

Of course Lara has many lean periods as well as majestic peaks. When he in concentrated on his batting he is the biggest nightmare of any bowling attack. Ask any England test bowler. Both Muralitharan & Warne held him highest regard as the best batsman they have bowled against. Even in the twilight of his career he remains a constant threat against any bowling attack & unfortunately most of the time the only hope of West Indies team. Although he is 36 years old he showed in the Australian series that he can continue sometime without any problem. May he get the strength & the determination to entertain us for many years to come, because he is not the prince, He is the King!