During the 1992–93 tour of Australia, famous leg-spinner Shane Warne faced former West Indian great Brian Lara in Sydney. He recalled convincing the club management that he could handle Warne when he was a left-handed batsman. Lara’s haul of 277 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is still regarded as one of the best international performances in Australia.
As the game ended in a draw, the Trinidadian faced 372 deliveries. Lara claimed to Fox Sports that he has played many such players in domestic cricket, especially those from Trinidad and that this gave him the confidence to handle Warne effectively. He stated: Foxsports.com.au caught up with West Indies cricket icon Brian Lara to get his comments on one of the great Test series that was played in Australia thirty years ago.
Lara recounts scoring 277 at the SCG, perhaps the best Test innings by an overseas batsman in Australia, in the second of a three-part series. Thirty years ago, the West Indies were suddenly scared after Shane Warne’s first Test masterclass. West Indies’ facade of greatness is beginning to crumble after holding the hegemonic position in international cricket for so long.
West Indies legends such as Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge and Malcolm Marshall were walking off into the sunset and more famous departures would soon follow. And now Australia, a country that had lost just six of 33 Test matches since 1978, had discovered a lethal spinner who had identified his weak spot.
The fact that the West Indies were already 1-0 up in the five-match series and playing the third Test at Australia’s premier surface, the SCG, only made matters worse. However, the most composed man in the room was a 23-year-old Trinidadian who had only been in four Test matches.
Brian Lara told foxsports.com.au, “I remember being on the flight from Melbourne to Sydney and telling the manager not to worry.” “I clearly remember telling the boss not to worry when we were on the plane from Melbourne to Sydney.
Shane Warne is in my hands. As we were leaving for Sydney, it was a Test venue where the West Indies usually play poorly or Australia have the advantage because it is a spin venue. I’m sure the dressing room was full of nervous energy.”
The 131-Test veteran went on to say:
“We play a lot of spin, which would make me sound a little arrogant saying it, but that’s the real reason I said it.” We have a lot of left-arm spinners, back-arm spinners and off-spinners. “From these two islands (Trinidad and Tobago) most of the spinners who have represented the West Indies have descended.”
In the five-Test series, West Indies beat Australia 2-1 thanks to Lara’s heroics with the bat. He had the most runs for the visitors, with 466 at an average of 58.25.
