Brian Lara: understanding the enigma

Maligned, misunderstood, maverick, misrepresented, marauding - and certainly marvellous.

Whatever description one wants to use for Brian Charles Lara, there is one undeniable, absolute fact about the guy. He has sufficient genius about him to understand the sense of impeccable timing, the relevance of purpose. From a West Indian perspective, Lara could even be a "cricketing Messiah", all over again, after several "second comings" in the past.

In the future, when this 2000/01 series between Australia and the West Indies is properly assessed, whatever the final results, many will realise, to paraphrase Sir Winston Churchill as he praised the efforts of his Spitfire, Hurricane and Mosquito flyers during the Second World War, that "seldom would so many owe so much to so few"; to only one man, to be exact. The 182 made by Lara in the first innings of this Third Test match was as mature an innings as he has played.

Lara's fourth highest Test score was so important to this series that all of the near-20 million people of Australia, even those who follow Aussie Rules football, plus the almost 11 million of the entire Caribbean, should pay homage to the magnificent left-hander from Santa Cruz. That innings has put new life into this series, not to mention, from the West Indian perspective, that it could well galvanise the rest of the team into much more productive efforts, even if they do not win a single Test. All everyone wants to see is the West Indies LOOK like a Test team, competing with 100% effort.

"Look," says Lara, "I was very disappointed to lose my wicket at the time I did. While I certainly would like to have had another double century, the purpose of the team, collectively, after the poor efforts we have had in the last two Tests, was more important. I had hoped that we could bat for at least two sessions into the second day. That may have put us into a somewhat unassailable position." Notice that there is no mention of self, despite the fitness problems. That, I think, is maturity taking effect.

Lara nearly got his wish, as the West Indies were actually dismissed about 2.20 pm, in the afternoon session, just about 100 minutes before the master batsman would have liked. He himself had batted for five hours 43 minutes in the cause, not unlike the efforts of not so long ago; 1999, to be exact.

Had Lara had his wish, with standard scoring, the West Indies would have probably added another 60 runs, to end at maybe 450 instead of 391. That really would have been imposing, at least psychologically. While Lara does not always demonstrate it, he does know something about the game he has graced.

There is one coincidence that should not go without mention. Joe Hoad, the sports psychologist/cricket coach and all-around sportsman (he played cricket, was a table-tennis champion and even has a reputation in South Australia for being a darts player of some class) has joined the West Indies squad. Ironically, perhaps even stupidly, Hoad's continued association with the team for this tour is STILL being considered.

I must be going mad! Even with the obvious evidence in front of their noses, it seems that the West Indies' powers-that-be are as slow on the uptake as their captain has been on the field of play on day three (using the second new ball with only one slip, but that is another story). Even after only brief contact with Hoad, in Tasmania, Lara, who it has been suggested is someone who "needs" some psychological help, has started to perform.

This situation is not unlike that which occurred in 1999, when the West Indies were annihilated by the Australians at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad & Tobago in the First Test. Lara made 62 out of 167 in the first innings, then five in the ignominious 51 all out, as the West Indies succumbed by the mammoth margin of 312 runs.

Then, as if by some miracle, Dr Rudi Webster, sports psychologist, appeared from Australia to help the team, perhaps especially Lara. The rest, as they say, is history. Incidentally, Lara, the then captain, was under a massive cloud of uncertainty, being told by the West Indies Cricket Board that "he was under a two-match probation as captain" after that diabolically poor showing in South Africa, where the West Indies lost 5-0 under his captaincy.

Lara's score of 213 allowed the West Indies to win the Second Test at Sabina Park, Jamaica, by ten wickets. Then Lara produced perhaps the best innings ever played in the Caribbean in the Third Test at the Kensington Oval, an innings as skilful and composed as it was brilliantly orchestrated.

After failing in the first innings, making only eight, Lara batted with everyone from one of the openers, Adrian Griffith, to the final batsman, Courtney Walsh, as he took the West Indies from 78/3, chasing 308 to win, to 311/9, with Lara himself ending up with that superlative 153 not out.

Just as he did on the second day of the Third Test at the Adelaide Oval, he had batted for five hours 41 minutes, hitting 19 boundaries, including the final boundary, off Jason Gillespie, to effect a famous, unexpected and rejuvenating West Indian win. (The comparison is uncanny.)

Yet BC Lara was not completely finished. He further bludgeoned an even 100 at Antigua, in a losing effort, as his purple patch continued.

Perhaps the final words of Lara, immediately after that 2-2 series in 1999 which allowed Australia to retain the (Sir) Frank Worrell Trophy won in 1995, should be remembered and noted at this pertinent time.

"I would like the Australians to take good care of this trophy, as they have only 'borrowed' it. The next time we meet, in Australia next, I intend to be instrumental in bringing it back to its true home."

Boasts like that should never be made, but once made, should never be discounted, especially when made by one so talented, even if temperamental.

Now, Hoad lends his psychological expertise and, coincidentally if you like, Lara is sparkling again. Australia should take great heed of this fact. I maintain that coincidences do not occur, but that they are someone else's plan.

Further, I believe that Brian Lara does NOT need a sports psychologist to help him. Instead, I think that HE, Brian Lara, actually BELIEVES that HE does. There is a subtle difference.

Whatever the case, it does not really matter. Perception is half of the scene. Simply, Lara should be given, up to a point, whatever help he suggests that he needs, since there is no one else in this present West Indian team remotely close to his cricketing ability.

Even the great basketballer Michael Jordan, who obviously "knew his limitations", surrounded himself with the "right" people for his sporting progress, including a "mental trainer".

Lara is finally maturing to his task, presence, usefulness and importance. As if to demonstrate this, look at the way Lara, who was then 136 not out, welcomed Marlon Samuels to Test cricket.

Immediately, they went into a tete-a-tete, then galloped several singles and twos, despite Lara's obvious injuries and probably tiredness too. This allowed the rotation of the strike, thus easing the talented young man into the game.

By the time Lara had inadvertently guided a Colin Miller delivery into the hands of Mark Waugh, the partnership had already added 71 runs for the sixth wicket, with Samuels on 25 not out. The effect on the West Indies' newest 19-year-old of batting with one of the world's greatest batsmen, especially at a crucial time in the game and the series, was obvious, as the poise of the young man shone through. In time, Samuels too could become classy.

Perhaps Brian Lara has found his forte. Perhaps, better still, he realises it. He must be the leader, the "shepherd", influencing our newest cricketers, with thought, words, deeds and inspiration. I would now suggest that Brian Lara has matured to his "real" task.