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Trinidad lauds Lara's record
Trinidadian cricketer Brian Lara secured a second historic feat for the twin-island nation when he claimed the all-time Test run-scoring record.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 09:53 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
Port-of-Spain:
Trinidadian cricketer Brian Lara secured a second historic feat for the twin-island nation when he claimed the all-time Test run-scoring record in the third cricket Test against Australia. On the heels of Trinidad and Tobago's first World Cup qualification, the tiny Caribbean island has more to celebrate as homegrown Lara surpassed Australian Allan Border's 11,174 runs record on Saturday in Australia. Coming into this match, Lara had 10,961 runs in 120 Tests at an average of 53.20. After the first innings, he had 11,187 career runs. "This is huge! Trinidad and Tobago is proud of Brian's accomplishment,'' said Roger Boynes, Trinidad's sports minister. "This win is not only for Trinidad, but for the entire West Indies as we prepare to host World Cup Cricket in 2007.'' Love for the sport Lara grew up in Santa Cruz, about 8 kilometers from Trinidad's capital, Port of Spain, and has always had a strong love for the sport, said his high school cricket coach Bryan Davis. "Brian was so talented, there was very little to coach. My role was to guide him. I think he has shown the world time and again that he is a phenomenal player and toppling this record demonstrates that,'' Davis said. The 36-year-old left-hander also holds the records for the highest Test innings - his 400 not out against England at Antigua last year, and for the highest first-class innings - an unbeaten 501 for Warwickshire in the English county competition. Sir Garfield Sobers, Lara's mentor and a technical adviser to the West Indies team, praised his achievement. "It's a great moment for Brian and a great occasion for West Indies cricket,'' Sobers said from his home in Barbados. "He has always been capable of making big scores and doing great things. I knew it was coming. I am not surprised.'' In Saturday's match, Lara compiled his 31st Test hundred, and eighth double-hundred, after going to the crease with the West Indies reeling at 19 for two and already down 2-0 in the best-of-three Test series. (AP)Topics mentioned in this article
Cricket Brian Lara
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