…Brian Lara launches autobiography

BATTING legend Brian Lara has maintained a “very good” relationship with Sir Vivian Richards, who, along with Carl Hooper, had some issues with what he wrote in reference to them in his book titled Lara: The England Chronicles.
Lara held a local launch for the book, which is the first in what could be a series of titles chronicling his international career, at his home on Lady Chancellor Hill on Tuesday, attended by close friends and family members, as well as the T&T Under-17 team, who all received autographed copies.

Asked about the reactions of Richards and Hooper to what was contained in an excerpt from the book which appeared on ESPN Cricinfo during the West Indies tour of England earlier this year, Lara said: “These comments were made, nothing official came to me.
“I respect everyone’s views and, I suppose, they in turn respect my views as well. Corrections were made and I think it was part of the book that was not very significant so, deleting that part was not an issue.”

In terms of his relationship with Richards, Lara holds his former skipper in high regard. “My relationship with Viv Richards is very good. I actually read the chapter out and he was quite happy with it. We were in England at the same time and we were travelling to play golf and he enjoyed it,” Lara revealed.
“So, my relationship with Viv Richards over the years has been one of great respect. Growing up, I watched him play and then being a part of his team, and obviously when I was in charge of the team, Viv Richards was chairman of selectors and he was a coach at some point in time, so I think our relationship is a very good one,” Lara added.

During the formal part of Tueday’s function, Lara also paid tribute to Richards, calling him “the greatest batsman I have ever seen. Maybe one-two with Sachin Tendulkar.”
He continued: “I’ll just read a small part in the book: ‘Those two years with Viv Richards were the most important period of my career. Our paths on the field crossed all too rarely. Just those 20 runs in some One-Day game before a Test match and now just like that he’s done. With Viv going, so went a little of the power and beauty of West Indies cricket…that is how great a man I think he was.”

The “Prince of Port of Spain” also revealed that he had finished another manuscript on his playing days against fierce rivals Australia. “Just to mention, I’ve already written about my time against Australia. But let’s enjoy this and then we’ll come out with the Australian version,” he said, teasing the small gathering.

Pressed on what could be his next publication, Lara said: “I planned to cover my entire career and I played against African countries, Asian countries and England.
“As I said, England was a very special period. Every time I played against them or in England playing county cricket, it was just an amazing experience. Australia, we all have to agree were the ones that toppled us off the top and they were my fiercest competitors,” Lara explained. “Playing against the late Shane Warne or Glen McGrath, Mark and Steve Waugh, it was a tremendous battle. So that in itself I believe is going to be a wonderful read,” he suggested.

He also said he felt privileged to have represented the West Indies for 17 years. Reflecting on the end of his career, Lara said: “It was 1990 I made my debut and 17 years later at Kensington Oval, I stood there, quiet in a little bit of shock, but I was a very happy individual, having represented the West Indies for 17 years.”

In terms of why he chose England as a starting point, Lara said: “The history between West Indies and England is so great. There is just so much to talk about. It goes beyond boundaries as well. It is not just Caribbean and it is not just England. We all know the history.
“When we got cricket status from the Imperial Cricket Board of England in 1928, we had plantation owners captaining the West Indies. We strived as Caribbean [people] to be included in the West Indies team and it took some time, but its history was tremendous,” Lara recalled.
“In 1950 was our first Test series victory against England. Growing up watching the series between West Indies and England was actually the greatest thing to ever see. I believe this history needs to be told on its own,” he added. (Trinidad Express)