Stephen Vasciannie

Brian Lara recently gave an interview on a television programme called the Chevrolet Cricket Show. It was, I believe, revealing in several respects, and for this reason, it may be useful to consider some of the points offered in that interview. This, of course, is to be read against the background of criticism, if not open condemnation, that has followed Lara at different points in his career.

Sometimes we tend to assume that - from the earliest days - it has always been smooth sailing for the West Indian captain from a cricketing point of view. In the interview, however, Lara notes that he did not play cricket at his school, St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary, in Trinidad. At St. Joseph's, boys were allowed to play cricket only the months following the Common Entrance before entry into high school. In that period, the authorities concluded that Lara was too small for the game, so they made him the score keeper. From keeping score to scoring centuries, intones the enthusiastic interviewer.

At Fatima College, the batting talent manifested itself, and though there were failures (including a quack quack duck to Malcolm Marshall in the early days), the signs were positive. But disappointment was not far away. Lara's father died shortly before Brian's Test debut. The father had acquired extra tickets from the son ("for his drinking partners") when the grim reaper intervened. This, according to Lara, was the greatest disappointment of his life, though he also notes in the interview that his sadness was tempered by the presence of West Indian stalwarts such as Richards, Lloyd, Logie and Dujon at the funeral.

SYDNEY

In some instances, when our sporting heroes perform well, our joy is qualified by the fact that they are somewhat inarticulate in post-event interviews. Contrast with Lara. The Chevrolet Interview points out that one of Lara's greatest batting displays was in Sydney, Australia. "Mr. Lara, our research indicates that this was a chanceless innings!" Quick as a wink, Lara responds with a wry smile: "No, I was dropped at gully by Steve Waugh."

The interviewer comes up to the wicket again: "Mr. Lara, you named your daughter 'Sydney' based on this innings. "Yes, it came at a crucial time for the West Indies, etc., etc.'" responds Lara. "Oh! So, given your records in Antigua, why not call her St. John's?" the interviewer adds, ready to take the catch. "Well, yes, but please remember, my first Test century was in Lahore, so that wouldn't really work!" Four runs through the covers, if you ask me.

It is also evident that Lara remembers his travails in good humour. Questioned about his 213 at Sabina Park, he recalls that he was on probation and points out, correctly, that some Jamaicans were sceptical: "Lara, this is your last match in charge; you gone after this match," he quotes. But, following the 213, some of those same Jamaicans who criticised him flooded on to the field in rapturous celebration.

In the same spirit of humour, Lara also recalls Courtney Walsh coming to the wicket as the number 11 batsman in a match tightly poised. "Courtney said to me: 'I am not getting out, so you make sure you don't get out.'"

TOP TEAM

An earnest teenager asks Lara what he has done to help the underprivileged. This gives the captain the opportunity to mention the foundation named in honour of his parents that works to help persons who suffer from heart problems and cancer, the ailments that took his father and mother, respectively.

And Mr. Lara, your top X1 today? Hayden, Langer, Dravid, Tendulkar, Ponting, Flintoff, McGill, Warner, Muralitharan, Lee and McGrath, Lara responds immediately.

But no West Indians! "Sarwan would be twelfth man."

All this, and more, was shown in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. I hope we will get it at home.

Stephen Vasciannie is professor of international law at the University of the West Indies and works part time as Deputy Solicitor General at the Attorney General's chambers.