'Thirty-eight Not Out'

Written by Jonathan Cumberbatch

Saturday, 12 January 2008

On January 5th 2008, with his first innings score at 45, Brian Lara swept promising Guyanese leg-spinner Zameer Mohammed outside his off-stump and perfectly bisected long-off and square-leg for his fourth boundary. A mundane detail but for, as with all things Lara, the viewing. Like the rest of what would soon become his 66th first class century, it was done with a liquid fluidity that brought a collective gasp amongst all there.

The romance between the Prince and his local faithful was back on....in a big way.

Particularly poignant was that I had my son with me to see the display. At 15 months, he's not going to recall the day from memory in the years ahead but I'm sure we would have had words if I had let the opportunity pass for him to at least claim he was once in the proximity of the icon.

Now what's going on Lara's thirty-eight year old head? The local critics claim (i) he is using the team to remain match fit for his upcoming 20/20 duties in India and (ii) enough is enough, give a kid a chance.

Lara, publicly, has taken the high road stating that his return is a victory lap for his countrymen so bitterly robbed of a proper farewell after his abrupt exit after last year's World Cup. He has assumed a mentoring role for his team-mates and by all accounts, has been approached by all for tidbits of advice at every turn. However, his sphinx-like remark to 'Windies return' rumours after the game: "I don't think you should think about that right now." has placed all bets off the table.

To qualify for Windies selection one must (i) actively compete in the Carib series and (ii) perform creditably. Lara's series average now stands at 176.

As an aside, there is no Trini to whom I have spoken who did not doubt that Lara was nearing the end of his reign but to a man, woman and child they all echoed that the 2007 (forced?) retirement could not be the end.

So said, this has not been so and we now have a chance to see him on at least two further occasions before the lap comes to an end.

Over his two innings, he conversed, joked and yes, stroked that ball, with the manner of a King holding court with all the players at his feet and there was no one present who could validly claim he should be denied these final moments on the home green.

At the various breaks, before walking to the pavilion, he actually disrobed of his gloves and helmet just off the square, leaving them to dry and, perhaps, serve as a promise to the audience that there was more Lara to come.

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