‘Hell of an achievement’
Former teammate, cricket analyst reflect on Lara’s 400 not out 20 years on
WIDELY REGARDED as the greatest batsman of all time, Brian Lara on Friday celebrated 20 years since his world record innings of 400 not out against England in the fourth Test at the Antigua Recreational Ground.
Lara’s innings was done in a brisk 582 deliveries, helping the West Indies to pile on a total of 751/5 declared, eventually ending the contest in a draw.
Former teammate Peter Jeffrey Dujon said Lara’s innings showcased his brilliance and ability with the cricket bat, as he took advantage of favourable batting conditions throughout the innings.
“It goes without saying that to stand up and make 400 runs in a Test match is a testimony to his ability. He was clearly a very talented player and he took advantage of good conditions and really capitalised on them, it was a hell of an achievement,” said Dujon.
Six months earlier, Australia’s Matthew Hayden had slammed 380 against Zimbabwe, in the process, erasing Lara’s previous world record 375. According to Dujon, he saw signs from a young Lara that he had the making of a future great because he had an appetite for scoring heavily. He added that the concentration level that the former Trinidad and Tobago cricketer possessed was a critical attribute to his greatness.
“It would appear from early that he had an appetite for big scores. He had all the shots and obviously, to score the kind of scores that he did, took a lot of concentration and these are the kinds of attributes that a good batsman must have. He was not only a good batsman, but he was more talented than most.
Veteran cricket analyst Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira, who was on radio commentary for the Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Services at the time of Lara’s innings, said even though the conditions favoured the classy left-hander, there was not a point during the innings where he seemed to be in any trouble.
“It was an exceptional innings, as the conditions were ideal to break a world record. The Antigua Recreational Ground is known to be a high-scoring ground, the pitch was plumb and wasn’t offering a lot to the bowlers. Lara was outstanding in that scenario and he never got bogged down and scored very quickly,” said Perreira.
Perreira also pointed out that while Lara cracked 43 boundaries and four sixes, he recognised one thing about Lara that really stood out for him throughout the innings.
“There was no period where he lost concentration and couldn’t hit the ball away.”