Lara, squashing all debate

Memonics

Brian Lara’s scintillating double hundred in the Multan Test should not only subdue the debate of who is the best batsman of this generation, but provoke another one: Could Bradman have been better? Okay, that is heresy. What about Viv Richards, Graeme Pollock, Gary Sobers? Suffice to say that none of the these -- or some his great contemporaries like Tendulkar, Ponting, Dravid, Inzamamm would object to such a thought.

Tendulkar’s 35 Test hundreds still keeps him one ahead of the West Indies left-hander, but if Lara’s form is any indication, this lead may only be academic. Unless some other contemporary batsman shows dramatic surge in form, Lara could finish what should be his last season in international cricket with his status as numero uno above dispute.

No other batsman in the history of the game - with such a propensity for attacking strokes — has shown the technique and sustenance for playing big innings as Lara -- except perhaps Bradman. And even Bradman did not make 400 in a Test or 500 in a first class innings. In that sense, Lara is unique.

It must also be remembered that Lara’s career has coincided with the decline of West Indies cricket, which means that often he has soldiered along alone. A Ponting can afford to be relatively carefree because Australia are such a formidable side, and even Tendulkar, Dravid and Inzamam have more accomplished batting teammates.

What makes Lara tick even at 37? While he has been easily the greatest batsman from the West Indies of the last 20 years, he has, in many ways, also been the bad boy, often castigated for his individualistic ways, and has had a roller-coaster ride as the captain.

International sport is fiercely dog-eat-dog, and the psychological pressure on top performers is daunting. Given the beleaguered status of West Indies cricket, it is no secret that Lara has often contemplated retirement. But so compelling has been the lure of cricket, that he has not only come back every time, but also looked better and hungrier for runs.

The Multan double hundred was a classic reminder of his class. The West Indies were clear underdogs having lost the first Test. When Gayle and Ganga fell in quick succession to leggie Danish Kaneria, Pakistan were on top. In that context, Lara’s counter-attacking innings was nothing short of sensational.

The statistics of his double hundred tell an incredible story. But it would be a travesty to define Lara’s genius only through figures. It is the manner in which he bats that makes him exceptional. When he is in the mood, and the rhythm is right, he is peerless, as he showed in the Multan innings. The cut, swing and seam of the pace bowlers was countered with superb judgement and deft strokeplay, the spin of Kaneria and Malik demolished with brilliant footwork and audacious shots.

Rahul Dravid, watching the innings in South Africa, was moved to say that he could not bat like Lara even though he was much younger. Such praise does not flatter Lara.
Instead, it puts his batsmanship in perspective.

In essence, sheer genius at work.