Lara hope Warner will break his Test record
Image : Collected
|| Desk Report ||
West Indian great Brian Lara hopes that David Warner breaks his record of highest runs in a Test match.
Right when David Warner was breaking one record after another in Adelaide vs Pakistan in the ongoing Day-night Test, little did he know that the current record holder of the most runs scored in a single Test innings - Brian Lara - was also present in the same city.
Lara who had some commercial engagements during the early part of the day got excited hearing the news of Warner crossing 300 and later admitted that he was getting ready to leave for the Adelaide Oval in order to emulate one of the most iconic celebrations in cricket history.
Lara not once but twice broke the record for the highest Test score. But the first time he did it in 1994, scoring 375 vs England, he went passed then record-holder and West Indies legend Gary Sobers' Test-best of 365. As soon as Lara went past 365, Sobers walked out onto the Barbados ground and personally congratulated the former on the achievement. Lara admitted that he was thinking to return similar favour to Warner in Adelaide only to be stopped short by Australian captain Tim Paine's declaration which meant Warner stayed unbeaten at 335.
"I was hoping they might catch me and get me (out) there and that was one of the reasons I was hoping they might have let him go for it," Lara told News Corp.
"It would have been amazing to walk out there (as Sobers did). Records are made to be broken. It’s great when they are broken by attacking players. Entertainers. Being in Adelaide I would have got an opportunity to if not walk out at least meet him at this opportune time," said Lara.
The great batsman, however, conceded that he understood the logic behind Australia's declaration that they wanted to go for a win which was proved right as their bowlers left Pakistan reeling at 96/6 at stumps on Day 2.
"It was a great innings. I can see that Australia winning the match was the major thing and the weather was a big factor but I would have loved to have seen Australia go for it. Being here I would have loved to see it. Even if they say 'hey David, you have got 12 overs, see if you could do it by tea time' ... it would have been great
"They were justified by picking up six wickets last night and you can see today things are slower so the declaration came at the right time
"But after passing Sir Donald Bradman I would have loved to see him race towards me. I was getting dressed to come back near the end of his innings. I was listening to commentators say whether he would have a go at Matthew Hayden’s 380 but I felt if he got to 381 he would have to have a go at my record," said Lara
However, Lara said that Warner being the attacking player he is, will get more opportunities to break the 400-run barrier.
"I still think Warner may have time to do it in his career. I know he is not a spring chicken but as soon as you get that 300 you know how to get 400. He may get another shot at it.
"He is a very attacking player and that is the sort of player who can always set you up for a win. I know you need stabilizers but you also need one or two players like David Warner and Sir Vivian Richards who can take the game with their bats."
