Lara's retirement
What the people say about
By Keisha McCammon
Stabroek News
April 23, 2007
What are your views on Brian Lara's retirement from international cricket? We asked the man and the woman in the street this question and this is what they had to say.
Dameon Gordon, student: 'I think that Brian Lara's retirement will pull down the team. He is a key scorer and without him they will struggle a lot. Besides being their captain he is one of the best players in the world and he always performs when the time comes. He brings them up when the team is down and I don't think there is anyone else on the team that they can bring as captain who can replace him. That person would have to fill big shoes.'
Indarchand Bhagwandin, farmer: 'I think it's a good idea that Brian Lara is retiring. He is getting old and he is giving the younger players a chance. I think that the selectors too will now be able to choose a more able person as his replacement, one who can showcase his talent. I think that Lara has been a good captain and he was there for the team at the time when they were at their lowest but people cannot blame him for the team's failure. The young men in society are involved in other activities other than cricket and we need other capable players.'
Ronald Williams, unemployed: 'I believe that Brian Lara did what he had to do for his team. He already has his record and now he needs to give someone else a chance. Lara is just one man and he has performed well for his time on the West Indies team. He is now old and performed well in his youth for the team. He now realizes that it's time to pass on the captaincy to someone else.'
Brian Birchman, seaman: 'I think that Brian Lara's retirement from international cricket is good. He was a good captain and a great player with a number of records to his name. The West Indies will be losing a good player and the young ones will now have a chance to prove themselves. I do believe that he should not have left now, he could have stayed on for another two years but I accept his decision. I'm now concerned about the team and we have to look at how they will perform now that he is gone.'
Shevy Favorite, barber: 'I don't think Brian Lara should have retired now. He should have given himself a few more years. He is a good man and had been a good captain and a good batsman. I think that the West Indies team will be losing a good player and I admire him. I believe that now that he is gone (Ramnaresh) Sarwan should take over as captain. He is also a good player who has a lot of potential.'
Ullanda Wiltshire, private sector employee: 'I believe that Brian Lara is a good player who has a lot of potential. I think it's time he gave a younger person a chance. Now that he is retiring he should open a school for persons interested in cricket and train the younger folks about the game. He has made the right decision in retiring because he knows he has been playing the sport for a long time. No one can doubt that he has played great over the years. He is a role model and persons can learn a lot from him.'
Nadine Telford, statistician: I think Brian Lara retiring from international cricket is sad because he is a great batsman. I know persons have talked about his leadership style but it will be a blow to his team when he leaves. He is a professional batsman who is experienced and has a good average. They have to now find someone who is as capable as him to be the team's captain. I can only see Sarwan as his replacement at this moment.'
Margaret Roopnarine, housewife: 'Brian Lara has not been doing much to help his team of late. However he has been a good batsman throughout the years. His performance in the World Cup has not been up to standard and he has lapsed for this entire tournament. I like him but I feel ok about him wanting to retire.
Feona Dover, accountant: 'I think Brian Lara retiring from international cricket is good especially where the West Indies team is concerned.
I think he has been dead weight on the team. He does not have team spirit and he is all about a one- man show. I think his leaving will make room for the younger cricketers who have greater potential. There will also be a chance for someone else to be captain to help the team return to its former glory.'
Marilyn Mc Cammon, security officer: 'I am very happy with Brian Lara's decision to retire from international cricket. I believe he should have taken this step a long time ago for the West Indies team. The team was doing great when he was not playing and when he was not the captain. He has been keeping back the team for a long time and they will be able to do better now that he is gone. They should let Ramnaresh Sarwan replace him as captain.'