Yesterday was one of the saddest days in world cricket for me. Brian Lara retired at the age of 37. Worst, he made only 17 runs in his last match, thanks to a tragic run out. A silly call by Marlon Samuels & a heartless throw from Pietersen pooped the farewell party. Read this article in the Hindu, it is a real tearjerker.
I wish Lara continued to play, at least for a couple of years. He still has a lot of cricket left in him. Tim Leede is still playing at 39, and his bowling average has got better in the last 20 matches. Who knows, Lara too might have prospered in a rejuvenated WI team.
More importantly, Lara could have fulfilled his dream of seeing West Indies back on the top again. They have got some good all-rounders after a long long time (Bravo, Devon Smith, Marlon Samuels along with the might of Gayle). While their bowling looks weak, the old lot will retire soon and new comers show a lot of promise (Pollard has a brilliant bowling average in List A & Lendl Simmons is not that bad). Then, allow me to get emotional, the next Joel Garner & Malcolm Marshall might be just around the corner.
Anyways, the sad truth is that all good things must come to an end and all greats have to retire. But the elegance of Lara remains unmatched. Given a choice, I would rather watch Lara's best innings than Tendulkar's or Mark Waugh's or perhaps even Richards'. Maybe we shall see him again in one of those Veteran matches, where Lara, Inzi and Tendulkar play side to side. Sigh!
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