Aiden Ellis | 1:00am GMT 12 March 2023
Even in case you are not a staunch cricket fan, there’s a sturdy chance you’ll have heard of Brian Lara. The West Indies legend transcended the sport, and he’s usually held in the identical regard as his friends Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar have been for Australia and India respectively.
Lara was one of the crucial gifted batsmen of his era, and he amassed enormous scores with the identical pomp and magnificence {that a} sure Donald Bradman did when he turned out for the Aussies within the Take a look at enviornment.
There was one thing electrifying about the way in which Lara went about his enterprise, and he was by no means one to shirk a problem. He was at all times joyful to present it to a bowler, and he was mesmerising to observe.
It’s almost 19 years in the past, nicely April 12 to be extra exact since Lara turned the primary man to attain 400 runs in a Take a look at match innings towards England. Even a few of the present crop of high gamers on this planet don’t shine a torch to Lara.
With that in thoughts, we’ve got determined to reminisce and look again on one of many best batting performances within the Take a look at atmosphere.
400 not out
It nearly appears unfathomable to elucidate how a batsman may hit 400 runs and never be defeated, however that’s what Lara managed to do on the Antigua Floor in St John’s.
Though Lara had presided over three crushing Take a look at losses towards England, a whitewash appeared like a definite chance. Up till that time, Lara had been struggling for runs, registering scores of 23, 0, 0, 8, 36, and 33.
Nevertheless, Lara responded in the very best manner. After batting for 13 hours, Lara reached the 400-run milestone, having notched up an unbelievable 43 fours and 4 sixes.
When he reached the landmark, he whipped off his helmet, whirled his bat above his head, and knelt down earlier than kissing the pitch. There would have after all been some reduction, nevertheless it was a unprecedented reduction, and he was later given a guard of honour for his efforts.
Redefining greatness
Whereas a 400 not out rating is a superb standalone rating, Lara truly reclaimed his personal Take a look at document. Along with his quadruple century, Lara eclipsed Matthew Hayden’s 380 in Perth in 2003.
There have been varied different notable feats in Lara’s profession and he has been immortalised away from the sport. That is definitely the case insofar as cricket and the convergence of video video games are involved. Brian Lara Cricket was a really nicely acquired PlayStation recreation that had many followers hooked and it showcased one of the best of his abilities. And now gamblers who get pleasure from taking part in slot titles, and significantly sports-based ones, can faucet into Brian Lara: Sporting Legends at a few of the greatest UK slot websites, together with Casumo.
Defining legacy
Inducted into the ICC Corridor of Fame in 2012, Lara produced moments of greatness frequently, and he was a pleasure to observe when he was in full stream.
Though it appears scarcely plausible that it was just about 19 years in the past that Lara hit 400 not out, it was a type of indelible moments that staunch cricket followers gained’t neglect.
