BOMBAY, 30 April 2004 — In the Western world quite often the question is asked, “Where were you when JFK was assassinated?” or “Where were you when Princess Diana died in a car crash ?” In India it is more likely to be “Where were you when Mrs. Indira Gandhi was killed or where were you when Rajiv Gandhi was blown up by assassins?”
On the cricketing front, the question would perhaps be where were you when India won the World Cup in 1983? Or more recently where were you when India beat Pakistan to win the series? If you are not an India fan then you might query where were you when Brian Lara became the first cricketer to score 500 runs in an innings in first-class cricket? Or where were you when Brian Lara became the first batsman to score a quadruple century in Test cricket?
These are special moments in cricket history and even if one was not there to witness it personally, to be able to recall where one was adds to the significance of the moment and the occasion. So, where were you when Lara score his 400th run.
I was in a friend’s house watching it on TV, and it was an awe-inspiring moment. What was remarkable was the way he kept his focus even after regaining the batting record of 380 that Matthew Hayden had scored just six months earlier. How often have batsmen been out immediately after reaching a personal milestone like 50 or a century or 150? That’s because the concentration and focus shifts just a little bit in acknowledging the applause of the crowd, savoring the achievement and a bit of relaxation creeps into the game in the next few minutes, till the concentration comes back to its intense level before the milestone was reached.
Once that happens, then the batsmen goes on to the next milestone, but it is in those few minutes before the intensity of focus returns, when every batsman is vulnerable and tends to get out. So, if Lara had lost his concentration after getting to 381, especially after play was interrupted as the Prime Minister of Antigua walked onto the field to offer his congratulations, it would have been perfectly understandable, but Lara knew, ten years ago that he had missed out on the chance of becoming the first batsman to score 400 in a Test innings and this time he was not going to miss it.
It was quite amazing how, as one watched, one was urging him not to do anything silly as he approached first the Hayden score of 380 and then as he neared 400. Having said that, one has to admit that six months ago, when Hayden was getting close to Lara’s 375, it was exactly the same sense of anxiety. World records like that don’t happen too often and that’s why the spectator, irrespective of the nationality, also is mentally batting for the batsman who is getting to the record.
It was the same as Sehwag approached 300. Having got so close, one did not want him to miss out on being the first Indian to score a triple ton in Test cricket and the dasher obliged by hitting a huge six and getting there in style. Even then, the worry was that at Melbourne on 195, he had got out caught in the deep going for a six to get to a 200 and here he was on 295, looking to get to 300. It was hard not to keep smiling after that achievement, not just because it is a unique one in Indian cricket, but because the guy who got it is such a likeable guy and one felt extremely happy for him.
Lara’s 400 helped to raise the mood in the West Indies after their team had lost the earlier three Tests quite ignominiously, being dismissed for 47 and 91 in two of the Tests. His innings gave the West Indians plenty to cheer about, apart from ensuring that there was no whitewash in the series. There were invariably some who felt that Lara’s effort was not a team effort but a selfish one, but quite frankly, did the West Indians have the bowling power to dismiss England twice on such a good batting pitch?
That England scored over 400 runs in the second innings with four of their wickets in hand shows how good the pitch was for batting on the last day. Don’t forget also that there was time lost on the first couple of days because of rain, and so to blame Lara for batting on to score 400 is childish. Instead of complimenting him for his effort in that energy-sapping heat, these people are only throwing mud at him simply because of their personal likes and dislikes. It is no secret that because Lara gives back as good as he gets, he is not the most popular player in certain countries and it is from these countries that the criticism has come through.
Sure, no personal achievement should take precedence over team interests, but pray tell me, how much time did Lara take to go from 381 to 400? Maybe 20 minutes, and are we to believe that but for these 20 minutes, West Indies would have won? No way.
Brian Lara’s consistency and appetite for big hundreds in recent years has been phenomenal and it will once again ignite the race to be recognized as the best batsman in the world. There are several contenders for the title, though of course it can hardly be final, since the opposition and playing conditions will continue to vary, but it will be great for the debates for each candidate’s supporter to argue endlessly into the night. Sadly, the same doesn’t happen with the bowlers of the world. No wonder it is called a batsman’s game!
