Lara rates Akram, Warne best bowling opponents
By Orin Davidson
Stabroek News
April 23, 2007
Seventeen years of international cricket competition as one of the best players of his time has made Brian Lara's views widely respected.
At his final media briefing at Kensington Oval on Saturday evening after his retirement he spoke freely on his likes, dislikes, positives and disappointments.
Of the bowlers he has encountered, Lara rates retired Pakistan pace ace Wasim Akram as the best fast bowler and Shane Warne, the ex-Australian 'leggie' as the best spinner.
The triple world record holder has the 153 unbeaten he scored against Australia in 1999 at Kensington Oval which helped West Indies to an epic victory, as his best innings ever above his world record 400 not out and 375 knocks.
And the best victory he has seen was West Indies' comeback win over South Africa in their very first Test against the country also at Kensington Oval in 1992.
He would prefer to have Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis of India and South Africa bat for his life and considers Ricky Ponting amazing. His teammates Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chris Gayle are extra special on their day and Sachin Tendulkar is top class.
Australia was the toughest team he played against while Kensington Oval was the ground he wanted to score a century on more than any at other facility.
Lara's biggest regret was being a part of the decline of the West Indies team in the last 12 years and and he said he considered his chance of being able to say goodbye before being dropped as among others Gordon Greenidge and Vivian Richards suffered, as his most fortunate experience.
The retired West Indies captain also believes in God and credits him for his success along with the support he got from his parents and sister, as his richest blessings.