Legendary Brian Lara reckons his two batting records could be broken by the current generation of batters as they are known to bat aggressively from the get-go. Lara holds the record for the highest score in Test cricket – 400, which he scored against England in 2004. Earlier, Lara had also 375 against the same opposition but his record was broken by former Australian opener, Matthew Hayden, who scored 380 against Zimbabwe.
Furthermore, Lara also holds the record for the highest individual score in first-class cricket, scoring 501. While talking to Daily Mail, Lara shared his surprise that Gary Sobers’ record of 365 runs was not broken by the likes of Gordon Greenidge and Viv Richards, who both were known to take the attack to the opposition.
“I was always sort of puzzled that Sir Garfield Sobers’ record wasn’t broken in the 1970s and 80s, when you had the aggression of Gordon Greenidge and Viv Richards.
“There were players in my time who challenged, or at least went past the 300 mark – Virender Sehwag, Chris Gayle, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Sanath Jayasuriya.”
Lara reckons batters like Zak Crawley, Harry Brook, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaislwa are capable of breaking his red-ball records.
“They were pretty much aggressive players. How many aggressive players do you have playing today?
“Especially in the England team. Zak Crawley and Harry Brook. Maybe in the Indian team? Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill. If they find the right situation, the records could be broken – both of them.”
Meanwhile, the West Indies is all set to take on England. Lara noted that the Windies bowling attack is young but dangerous and the visitors will need to win the opening day against the Ben Stokes-led team.
“England have a totally different approach. They’re looking to be 100 runs plus in the first session. The bowling attack is young but quietly very, very dangerous with guys like Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph.
“But if West Indies is going to be successful against England, they’ve got to win the first day of the Test match, whether it be with bat or ball. Lose it, and it’s very difficult to come back against a team that plays in that kind of attacking nature.”
The first Test will be played at Lord’s from Wednesday onwards.
