Happy birthday Lara

THE EDITOR: ON May 2, one of the most iconic figures in world cricket history and former West Indies cricket captain and batting great Brian Charles Lara will turn 49. As an 18-year old with a modicum of cricket knowledge, I have, on numerous occasions, heard my father (an avid cricket follower) talk in glowing terms of the cricketers he has seen during his time — 1970s to present — and he has often singled out Brian Lara as one of his all-time personal favourites.

Lara, often referred to as “The Prince of Port-of-Spain,” holds two distinct world cricket batting records — the of highest scores in Test cricket (400 not out) and First Class cricket (501 not out). I have seen videos of him batting and he certainly thrilled the spectators and fans with his left-handed batting.

From a little research I did, am pleased to know he holds several other West Indies’ cricket batting records like most Test runs, hundreds and catches by an out-fielder.

Wisden and Espncricinfo has had several articles penned by world experts which I have read in part and feel proud of his achievements having come from TT with a populace of 1.6 million.

In summarising I would like to extend a very happy 49th birthday to perhaps or arguably West Indies’ greatest and best batsman ever — Brian Charles Lara.

Vanishka Maharaj, Cunupia