Published: May 02, 2018, 04:12 PM (IST)
Edited: May 02, 2018, 04:12 PM (IST)
Brian Lara, born May 2, 1969, is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen on all time. The Trinidadian legend turned 49 on Wednesday. Lara holds numerous batting records, including the highest scores in Tests and First-Class cricket. While Lara’s 501* for Warwickshire against Durham at Edgbaston in 1994 is the only quintuple-hundred in First-Class history, his 400* for West Indies against England at St John’s in 2004 is the only quadruple-hundred in Test cricket. Lara had already broken Garry Sobers’ long-standing world record with his 375 against England at St John’s in 1994. Matthew Hayden scored 380 in 2003-04, but Lara took less than a year to slam 400 not out.
Lara made his international debut at Karachi in 1990. He went on to play 131 Tests and 299 ODIs. He scored 11,953 runs at 52.88 in Tests with 34 centuries, while in ODIs he amassed 10,405 runs at 40.48 and registered 19 tons.
On the occasion of Lara’s 49th birthday, Cricket Australia posted the highlights of his ODI hundred against Australia at Sydney in 2001. Lara played a lone hand in the losing cause and smashed a 106-ball 116*.
What a player. Celebrate @BrianLara‘s 49th birthday with a look back at this awesome ODI ton from the vault. pic.twitter.com/iN12Kf5S0l
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) May 2, 2018
On Lara’s 49th birthday, CricketCountry lists some of the timeless pieces on the West Indian legend
Brian Lara – The preface of textbook cricket
Brian Lara makes his Twenty20 (T20) debut
‘Ambidextrous’ XI 2: Left-handed batsmen, right-handed bowlers
The L’s: Style and substance with bat, absolute brilliance with ball
World Cup 1996: Brian Lara delivers knock-out punch to South Africa
Brian Lara’s forgotten hundred against Australia lights up St John’s
Lara becomes 1st batsman to score 500 in an innings
Lara announces himself on world stage with brilliant 277 against Australia
Brian Lara: Flash of willow, spray of talent, mountains of runs
Brian Lara makes highly-anticipated County debut, for Warwickshire against Glamorgan
Brian Lara becomes first man in history to reclaim record for Test highest; remains unbeaten on 400
Lara’s greatness in numbers compared to other left-handed greats in Test history
Happy birthday, legend! We wish you a great, great fiftieth year ahead!
