Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records:
Cricket history has witnessed numerous comebacks from both teams and individual players, be it batsmen or bowlers. However, one man truly shines in this regard – Brian Charles Lara.
Brian was a dominant force during his peak in 1994 and 1995, but he later became more susceptible. It wasn’t that his talent disappeared suddenly, but rather the weight of expectations became overwhelming for him. To compound matters, the once formidable West Indies team was also declining. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder that even someone as talented as Brian is still human.
The 1999 Frank Worrell Trophy, held in the Caribbean between West Indies and Australia, is often considered one of the greatest. It showcased the champion player Brian Lara facing a crucial moment in his career. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, he demonstrated that while form may be fleeting, true class endures. The real greats are those who overcome adversity and deliver their best when faced with extreme challenges.
Disastrous tour of South Africa
West Indies faced a challenging period on their tour of South Africa in late 1998, losing all their practice matches, 5 Test matches, and six out of seven ODIs. Despite their captain Brian Lara showing some form with the bat by scoring three half-centuries in the Test series and engaging in a captivating duel with Allan Donald, he failed to achieve a big hundred that he is known for. Consequently, his team performed poorly and succumbed numerous times during the series.
Probation Period for LARA
Despite being the top batsman for West Indies and the most influential figure in the team, Lara’s captaincy was in jeopardy after his team’s poor performance on the South African tour. He faced unprecedented pressure as no captain had experienced before, and West Indies cricket was in a state of crisis. Lara was put on probation for the first two Tests by WICB, with a warning to enhance his leadership skills significantly.
No Chanderpaul and Hooper for the Series
To make things more difficult, Lara had to manage without his top two players, Chanderpaul and Hooper, during the tough series against Australia. Chanderpaul was recovering from an injury, and Hooper had gone to Australia to look after his sick son. As a result, Lara encountered an even bigger test with inexperienced players supporting him.
Demoralising defeat on his home ground in the First Test
The series began at Queen’s Park Oval, Lara’s home turf, where there were indications of progress in the team. He performed admirably by scoring a well-compiled 62 in the first innings, but his luck took a turn for the worse when he was dismissed for 3 in the second essay. Unfortunately, West Indies struggled and were defeated with only 51 runs in the second innings, suffering a heavy loss by 312 runs.
It was Now or Never for the Prince at Jamaica
At the coin toss for the second Test, Lara mentioned to Steve Waugh, “This might be my final time performing this task.” As the first day came to an end, it seemed likely that another defeat was on the horizon. Following Australia’s score of 256 in their initial innings, West Indies struggled to reach 37 for 4. Lara managed to survive; he had scored 7 runs while accompanying night-watchman Pedro Collins into the following day.
Risky Way to get to his hundred which meant so much to him
It was a tense moment of anticipation. Brian Lara on 99,nudged the ball towards square leg and dashed for a quick run as Justin Langer aimed at the stumps. The crowd at Sabina Park mirrored Lara’s stretch, holding their breath in unison. With just an inch to go for his century, it was a nail-biting situation. Umpire Bucknor referred the decision to the third umpire, and ultimately ruled in Lara’s favour, sparking joy among the Caribbean spectators.
Lara’s Greatest Comeback
What ensued on Day 2 of the test match was pure magic. In a sudden turn of events, Lara appeared to have been blessed by a mystical force that changed the shyness observed in South Africa into the confident self-assurance that defined him. Facing a bowling attack led by his old rivals Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, he maintained control throughout the following day, surpassing his previous hundred after 27 innings and continuing on to achieve his third double century.
Batting Master-class By Lara
Lara executed a wide range of strokes in various directions, hitting three sixes and 29 fours. The great left hander hit Blewett to the boundary four times in a row, taking his score from 183 to 199. Whenever he reached a milestone, the ground was flooded with excited spectators, prompting him to swiftly make his way back to safety – even running all the way into the dressing room at 200. The Australians failed to take any wickets during the 90 overs played. Collins batted for an hour until he had to retire due to a hit from McGrath. Jimmy Adams then joined Lara as his partner until the end of play, with Lara finishing the day on 212 runs and Adams on 88 runs, playing an important but somewhat overlooked role as a left-handed batsman alongside Lara.
Captain Inspired his team to a memorable victory
West Indies, fuelled by their captain’s exceptional skills, were determined not to be defeated. They dismissed the surprised Australians for 177 in the second innings; just three runs less would have resulted in an innings loss.
Considering the events in the South African Series, followed by the humbling experience in the initial test at Trinidad where Lara was placed on probation for the first two tests, and with his team struggling at 37/4 in their first innings during the second test, his remarkable double century against formidable bowlers like Glenn McGrath, Gillespie, and Warne – despite limited assistance from his teammates – undoubtedly solidifies Lara’s 213 as one of the greatest innings ever played. This exceptional performance not only lifted spirits in the Caribbean but also garnered universal acclaim.
