“I gave extensive consideration to this,” said Brian Lara. “I want everybody to know that on Saturday I’ll be playing my last international match. I’ve already spoken to the board and the players about this.”

 

This brings an end of an era. Cricketing history’s greatest batsman with the highest test score under his belt has finally decided to retire. Lara’s career was full of ups and downs. He started his career in 1990 and became captain of West Indies first time in 1997 which ended in 1999, Lara was once again made captain in 2003 for a series against Australia, but Lara’s captaincy tenure was full of controversies, the pressure if his captaincy was clearly shown in his batting but though as a great player he continued playing and made 400 in a test match against England in 2004 with 11,953 test runs to his name in 131 matches. His average by the way is 52.88. Brian Lara many records in his name, which put him, way ahead of another batsman of his age and makes him a true legend.

 

He played 298 one-day internationals, with nearly 10,500 runs at an average of just over 40 a match.

 

Lara’s announcement was triggered by the team’s disappointing performance in the World Cup, when it failed to reach the semi-finals. 

Lara is the father of an eight-year-old daughter called Sydney whom he had with Trinidadian journalist and model Leasel Rovedas. Sydney is so named as a tribute to one of Lara’s favorite grounds, the Sydney Cricket Ground, where Lara scored his first Test century- the highly acclaimed 277 in the 1992-93 seasons.

 

“Another thing that I’m proud of is that I’ve been knocked down so many times, both as a player and a person, and come back. I need to thank my parents for that, for being able to go out there in the face of adversity and perform. It’s a family trait.”