BRIAN LARA

 

 

Perhaps being born in a family with enough children to form a cricket team on their own was a hint from the big guy upstairs of the destiny that awaited Brian Lara . . . This tailender of the family – being the 10th of 11 children – had an early opening as the six-year-old began training in the sport that would one day catapult him to the status of a living legend. Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, Lara represented West Indies for the first time in the Under-19 cricket, but a true display of his prowess on the pitch was witnessed in 1987 as he broke the previous West Indies youth batting record. And ever since, the current West Indian captain has been on a record-breaking spree, claiming the highest individual score in first-class cricket (501 not out), highest individual score in Test Cricket (400 not out), highest number of runs in a Test career, while the record of becoming the first cricketer from West Indies to cross 10,000 One-Day International runs is the latest feather to his cap added on 16 December 2006. For a cricketer famous for wild partying before the day of a match, and widely criticised for playing golf on days he ought to be resting, Brian Lara’s personality has always had intriguing shades to it, one of which we witnessed as The Prince joined hands with ING Vysya Foundation (the Corporate Social Responsible arm of ING Vysya), in an effort called ‘Innings with Lara’ to enthuse Indian youngsters to pursue the game. Seventy-five children from various schools in Chennai were selected by a lucky draw and another 75 underprivileged children, deserving beneficiaries of a GIDF (The Great Indian Dream Foundation) initiative, were given the privilege of a rendezvous with Lara, which included batting tips from the legend himself. TSI caught up with Brian Lara for a tête-à-tête about kids, cricket and more . . .

Brian Lara On ‘Innings with Lara’

I’ve enjoyed interacting with the kids from a different country and it’s more beneficial as I’m coming to the end of my career. Maybe, in a year or two, I’ll need to sort of diversify, and I really appreciate the opportunity to do that. With the opportunity to interact with kids, I am very satisfied. (In this programme) we are just trying to get around and meet parents and kids. Cricket is what you look up to, you know. When you enter a stadium and you see a Sachin Tendulkar bat or a Brian Lara bat, (we look so sure of ourselves) but actually we guys are really uncertain, I think (this insight) means a lot.

I think first of all one has to do one’s job. My job over the last 16 to 17 years has been to create a legacy. Of course, first, I had to get established, have a career, but at the end of the day, the legacy that you leave is very important and that is what I’m trying now, with all the time I have in hand. You know a lot of cricketers that are (only involved in) their career and that’s it, you don’t hear anything more of them. I think it’s important now that kids build that legacy and, go out there and sort of distribute the fun. It’s nice to be loved by so many people, (have them) look up to you, you know, you think of seeing them at some point of time of your life and (impacting their lives because) they have so much respect for you.

Lara and India, the connection and beyond . . .

India for me is the home of cricket. My first step away from Trinidad and Tobago as a youngster was to India. In 1984, (I was) about 14 years old then and since that day, you know, I’ve played successfully (here) and I’ve been back on numerous occasions and I adore each and every single time and now when I’m at the latter part of my career, I’ve gained a lot of friends. I don’t want the fact to be (that I visit) just because there is a tournament in India. I’m going to make time, maybe tour with corporate India perhaps. I’m going to make time to come out to India some day after I retire, and help the under privileged. This might be my last cricket tour, but personally, definitely not.

On West Indies cricket

I’ve been back home for one week in the last five months, other than going in the beginning of September and I’m spending less and less time at home. We are all hopeful (about the coming season which includes the World Cup) and nobody wants to be embarrassed (especially at home). The influx of new tours (with) teams from India, Australia etc.will help tremendously. I know sports like basketball & baseball are popular in the islands, and there’s nothing wrong with it, but I still feel if we have a progressive structure all the young people (would) want to play cricket. I know that it’s (the World Cup’s) going to be a wonderful tournament, you know, I’m getting around and I’m hoping & praying that everything runs smoothly.