The future with Lara

THE EDITOR, Madam: AS THE Brian Lara saga continues, allow me some space to say a few words.

A few years ago, I saw Lara score a brilliant 167 I think it was at Bourda against England. A flat pitch and a mediocre attack were fully exploited to produce a scintillating innings, as it should be. Later in that series, he scored his 375, demonstrating the ability for truly great, as distinct from, good performances. Then last year against Australia, in the face of adversity, he played two magnificent innings, demonstrating such great courage, pride and a capacity to dig deep in order to overcome. Bottom line. A very special person, worthy of special treatment.

And so, through time we accepted the cockiness, the arrogance. We succumbed to the mystique. We merely rapped him on the knuckles for actions that deserved stronger sanctions. He demanded the captaincy and we gave it to him. Before the last South African tour by the West Indies, he led a movement for what he considered better working conditions (a noble cause, many said) . His employers fired him, and then almost immediately were forced to rehire him. Yes, he was now a god.

But the period of his captaincy, apart from the Australian series alluded to earlier, was a disaster. We were embarrassed.

Lara decided to take a 'break'. Clive Lloyd bolted, and the WICB did not re-consider Vivian Richards for the job of coach.

Thereafter and up to this point, Mr. Skerritt, Roger Harper, Jeff Dujon and Jimmy Adams have rallied the troops, and the team now seems to be together, to be playing for each other, and to be committed to being the best they can be.

And now the prodigal son has decided that the upcoming England tour is when he wants to return. Without hesitation, we have accommodated him, but with a certain amount of anxiety. Will he be a disruptive influence? Can he fit in without the "baggage" that he brings in some way affecting the larger cause?

Important questions, that deserve answers. All concerned, his close advisers, the WICB, the current team management and all of us with an interest need to remind Brian Charles Lara, that despite all his other interests, what he does best is play cricket, and more importantly, bat. And that is what we want him to do. If he really wants to, nothing, no bowling attack can stop him from creating more masterpieces. He must conform and lend his prodigious talent, his pride and knowledge to the team effort and the higher cause.

Whether or not we can succeed in this quest, I don't know. But what I do believe, is that if we cannot succeed in making him toe the line, we will have to let him go, forever. However painful that might be to some, including myself.

I am, etc.,

MARK BENDER,Quito, Ecuador.E-mail mbender@olade.org.ec

Via Go-Jamaica

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