Brian Lara scored 688 runs at an average of 114.66 in a three-test series against Sri Lanka and Muttiah Muralitharan in 2001/2002. After the tour he revealed some advice he received from the late Sir Garfield Sobers. Lara sought the great man’s counsel prior to the visit and was advised that he should play the offspinner “back to where he was coming from.” In other words, Sobers told him to play against the spin.

To be sure, Lara was one of the best batters the game has seen. With his wide range, aggressive intent, and precise footwork, he was rightly viewed as being quite adept at handling spin. But if Lara thinks he was made even better by acquiescing to Sobers’ guidance then who are we to disagree? Muralitharan, incidentally, thinks the Trinidadian left-hander was the best batter he bowled to.

https://garfieldrobinson1.substack.com/p/against-the-turn