Lara: Will 'Sir Brian' rise? (22 Jan 1998)

22 January 1998

Will 'Sir Brian' rise?

By GARTH WATTLEY

WHEN he has walked his last walk from the crease at the end of his career, Brian Lara may stroll easily into the "Hall of Fame" of West Indies cricket.

When the batsmen are assembled, he can slip easily in behind "Massa" George Headley, perhaps "rub shoulders" with Sir Gary Sobers, Viv Richards and Everton Weekes.

But after just 48 Test matches and 4,133 runs and even with the world record 375 among his collection of 10 centuries, the seating arrangements are not yet finalised.

And just where the Prince of Port of Spain will finally be seated may well be determined from next week when he leads the 1998 West Indians out against England at Sabina Park, Jamaica. Lara's inheriting of the captain's mantle is certainly the most heralded since Sir Frank Worrell took over leadership of the West Indies team for the 1960-61 tour of Australia. But the 28-year-old from Cantaro Village in Santa Cruz will surely be the most scrutinised WI skipper ever.

Charismatic, compelling, controversial, Lara the player has kept both the cameras and computers clicking ever since making his Test debut in 1991.

In appeal, and in terms of sheer expectation, he bears comparison with Sir Frank, the first black West Indies captain in a full series.

Comparisons with Worrell, however, are dangerously odious. A man with the vision and personality aptly suited to the socially sensitive 1960s, Worrell in his 15 Tests was the quiet revolutionary of minds and hearts.

Lara, prince of the "just do it" generation, is likely to be the catalyst that changes how the Windies play in the 21st century, although not necessarily how they view the game.

The individually sterling Sobers was also 28 when he became captain in 1964 and the 28-year-old current captain may best be compared with him, Richards and, purely in terms of results, Clive Lloyd.

The cricketing comparison with legendary Sir Gary is natural. Two left-handers, wonderfully gifted strokemakers, world record-breakers, shrewd tacticians and golf buffs, Sobers and Lara are a pair well-matched.

And the similarities, one suspects, will continue when it comes to leading by example. To a point. When he was the boss, Sobers was scintillating with bat and ball.

In 39 Tests, he averaged 58.80, a figure slightly higher than the 57.78 he managed over his career. With the ball, just about half of his 235 wickets (117) came as skipper.

Lloyd too managed 14 of his 19 centuries in averaging 51.30 as captain, compared with 46.67 overall. Lara as Trinidad and Tobago leader has relished playing captains' knocks.

His 180 against Jamaica at the Queen's Park Oval-the majority of it made with nine, ten, jack-is already the stuff of legend.

And despite the ragged nature of his recent form, the runs should start flowing again before long. But where the Lara rule may differ from the Sobers reign is in approach. While they are both men of enterprise, Lara is the calculated gambler.

Prepared to use a spinner as opening bowler, he is not likely to give the opposition a fighting chance when his own chances are less than excellent.

So Lara is not likely to get burned the way Sobers did at the QP Oval in 1968 against the English. And perhaps not even Sobers may have the same knack for plotting the downfall of a batsman. Whether by direct placement or by diversion, Lara has earned his "Bachelors" in cricket psychology.

But he will need his "Masters" to make a success of the Windies job. For Lara will not have the arsenal of quality quicks that helped blast Lloyd to 36 victories in 74 Tests.

He is not even inheriting the type of winning side that Viv Richards got after he took over the team in 1985 against New Zealand.

That nucleus included Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Richie Richardson and Jeff Dujon. Those talents combined with his own mercurial skills for a long time disguised the gradual shrinking of the talent pool.

They also helped to keep Richards unbeaten in 12 series and leave him with the impressive record of 27 wins, 9 losses.

But two captains-Richardson and Courtney Walsh-on, Lara is left with near dregs with which to create new wine.

Facing the Prince is the challenge of lifting the morale of his subdued subjects, of nurturing young bloods and pacifying older heads, of chasing away the shadows of past indiscretions.

And, most of all, to become ultimately the Great Leader, Lara must become the Great Listener. He must borrow some of the Worrell charm, the Lloyd steel, the Walsh heart. He must become everything West Indian to be the West Indian.

Then when seating time comes in the "Hall", even George will have to take a side.

Source :: The Trinidad Express (https://www.trinidad.net/express/)