West Indies cricket icon Brian Lara recently opened up about his batting philosophy, explaining why he never felt the need for unconventional shots like the reverse-sweep, and shared fascinating details from his record-breaking 400 not out innings.
Batting the Classic Way
Brian Lara, a name synonymous with Test batting excellence, believes he always had a vast array of shots at his disposal. He never saw the need to adopt modern, extravagant strokes like the reverse-sweep, even if playing in today’s era.
With an incredible 11,953 runs in 131 Tests at an average of 52.88, Lara’s strike rate of 60.51 stands out among elite Test batters. This high scoring rate, combined with his penchant for “daddy centuries,” meant traditional shots were more than enough for him.
Lara likened his batting style more to India’s Virat Kohli, known for his classical stroke play, rather than England’s Ben Duckett, who frequently employs sweeps. He stated that instead of playing a reverse sweep, he would have opted to hit the ball over extra cover.
Recalling the Legendary 400*
The conversation also drifted to Lara’s historic 400 not out against England in 2004, a world record that still stands. The innings was played in Antigua, the same venue where he had previously set the record with 375 in 1994, before Matthew Hayden briefly surpassed it with 380.
Lara recounted that his team was desperate to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash against England at home, so his focus wasn’t initially on breaking records. However, as his innings progressed, he felt a distinct change in the English bowlers’ approach.
He noted that key bowlers, particularly Steve Harmison, seemed reluctant to bowl with aggression. Harmison was the only bowler who didn’t concede over 100 runs, finishing with 92. Lara felt the opposition “didn’t really want to turn up” to bowl at him, which helped him continue his monumental knock.
- Brian Lara’s traditional batting approach provided him with sufficient scoring options in Test cricket.
- He maintained an exceptionally high strike rate (60.51) throughout his Test career.
- Lara identified more with Virat Kohli’s classical style than modern, unconventional shot-makers.
- During his 400* innings, he perceived a lack of aggressive intent from the English bowlers, aiding his record-breaking effort.
Lara’s insights offer a fascinating look into the mindset of one of cricket’s all-time greats, highlighting how a classical approach can achieve unparalleled success.
