20 years after Brian Lara’s epic 153* in one-wicket win, Kusal Perera hits 153* in one-wicket win

With his sensational 153 not out in a fourth innings chase at Kingsmead against South Africa, Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera replicated one of the greatest left-hand batsman the game has ever seen, West Indies’ Brian Lara’s epic knock in Barbados in 1999 against Australia.

Yes, you read the headline right.

With his sensational 153 not out in a fourth innings chase at Kingsmead against South Africa, Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera replicated one of the greatest left-hand batsman the game has ever seen, West Indies’ Brian Lara’s epic knock in Barbados in 1999 against Australia. (ALSO READ: Cricket fraternity lauds ‘unreal’ Kusal Janith Perera after his match-winning 153*)

The uncanny coincidence doesn’t end there. Both came in to bat at No.5 with their teams chasing 300 plus totals and won their respective teams the matches by one wicket. (ALSO READ: Sensational Kusal Perera leads Sri Lanka to one-wicket in South Africa)

While Perera had the support of No.8 Dhananjaya de Silva (48), and No.11 Vishwa Fernando (6) today, 20 years ago at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, Lara had the support of No.8 Jimmy Adam (38) and No.11 Courtney Walsh (0*).

South Africa were the in-form team this instance with a line-up boasting Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada and Duanne Olivier, Australia in 1999 were the top team then with a bowling line-up comprising Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Shane Warne.

While Perera’s knock came in the 1st Test, thus ensuring that Sri Lanka won’t lose the two-match series, Lara’s knock came in the third Test of the the Frank Worrell Trophy, helping the hosts go 2-1 up in the series.

Here’s all that you need to know about today’s match, and below is a small excerpt from our vault on Lara’s special innings.

It was the prodigal son who turned messiah on that balmy day at Bridgetown.

The Australians, a winning unit of flair and flame, had arrived to conquer the sun-kissed islands. And they had started emphatically, Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie blowing the West Indies away in 19.1 overs for 51 at the Queen’s Park Oval.

However, captain Brian Lara roared back at Sabina Park, settling into the form of his life, stroking imperiously for 213. West Indies squared the series with a 10-wicket victory. Originally appointed skipper till the end of the second Test, Lara was given the reins for the whole series.

But, by the time the captain walked out to spend 28 awkward minutes amidst shadows that lengthened across the pitch on the fourth afternoon, the match looked hopelessly lost for the West Indies.