The legendary former West Indies bating star Brian Charles Lara like so many people will celebrate his 51st birthday while on lockdown in T&T on Saturday.
The dapper left-hander reached the half-century mark last year and has taken guard and to continue what has been a fine inning thus far. His phone is expected to be inundated with calls today from well-wishers and family and friends and the Prince of Port-Of-Spain is surely going to enjoy his day even though the COVID 19 pandemic is going on.
Recently he did a video urging everyone to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families from this dreaded virus. He has been doing his part in trying to bring awareness of the situation.
Lara, a member of the Queen's Parkm Cricket Club and for student of Fatima College batsman holds several world records for high scoring. He has the highest individual score in both first-class cricket (501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994) and Test cricket (400 not out for the West Indies against England in 2004). Lara amassed his world record 501 in 474 minutes off only 427 balls.
On 10 April 2007 Lara confirmed his retirement from one-day cricket post the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Nine days later he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after a 17-year career. He said the West Indies vs England Test match on 21 April would be his last international appearance.
He was run out after a bad mixup with Marlon Samuels for 18, as England went on to win the match by one wicket.
The Santa Cruz-born star and father of Sydney and Tyla, played 131 Test matches for the West Indies scoring 11,953 with a world record highest score of 400 not out. He ended his career with a Test average of 52.90 and knocked 34 centuries and 48 half-centuries. In ODIs he appeared in 299 matches, scoring 10,405 runs at an average of 40.50. He had a best of 169 against Pakistan at Sharjah.
Overall in First Class cricket he played 261 matches, scoring 22,156 runs at an average of 51.90. He had a world record best knock of 501 not out playing for Warwickshire against Durham.