West Indies captain Brian Lara has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket.

"On Saturday I'll be bidding farewell to international cricket as a player," he told a news conference after the West Indies beat Bangladesh in Barbados
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In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
Thanks for the many, many memories Brian Charles Lara! You are a class act!!!

Thank You....Brian Charles...your legacy forever remembered. Your genius never forgotten. And your full potential not yet realised. Still the bloody best.

In reply to Fahim

bestest! :wink:

In reply to zimzimma

Bestestest even!

I'm hoping he will come back. KG, get out your begging pads.

In reply to zimzimma

THE greatest batsman I have ever seen. THEY could try to tarnish you but they could never take away the joy you have brought to the TRUE West Indian fans the WORLD OVER!!

In reply to Fahim


Hahahahahaha! Brian is gonna be so happy and stress free now. I am so happy for him. :lol:

In reply to carib

I wonder if those who are asking him to leave remember his scores in his last test series?

My hero since I was a very young boy.

I've followed his career since de afro days at Fatima. Missed classes to watch him bat.

This is a sad day for me.

Why retire now when he is still the best test batsman on the team?

Thanks for all the memories when you had all West Indians living on the edge of a blade. You carried the torch of the immortal WI batsman lit by Atlas himself and like Atlas, you finish your career lifting the world on your shoulders.

An exit as majestic and graceful as his batting.
Undoubtedly the greatest batsman of his generation, and a great ambassador of this beautiful game.

Let us hope the farewell match will witness a Lara classic. And let us hope we will see, with him, a resurgence in cricket writing and commentating of the involving, well-articulate kind.

In reply to Fahim

Simply the Greatest!! II think Saturday should be hailed Lara-Day and Cariibeancricket.com
should bring back all Archives of his achievments, and place him in the Penthouse.

In reply to zimzimma

I've been happy for him ever since I knew who he was. Man he was the reason i support West Indies. He is the reason i became a cricket fan.

I would stay up all night and day to watch him bat. Now..i'm going to make me a cup of tea and watch the 400* DVD one more time.

Cheers Brian. The joy he brought to us, well the english language hasn't come up with a fitting enough word.

In reply to dcbreds

In reply to thefag t

Why you dont shut u skunt!! Is Skunts like you who pressure the Man to leave.
Always criticizing his every move, nothing good to say. Now go harass some body else,
like u pet Dog, Bambi.

:evil:

In reply to Fahim

Imagine if you had seen Viv....

Alyuh young people really missed out.....

In reply to thefan

Because he got tired of dumbass unwwarranted criticism?

WOW! Even though I know the day will come, I wasn't expecting it so soon. I thought he would have gone to England. Thanks BIG MAN! :-o :( :(

In reply to Larr Pullo

I see Viv, and he was a slogger. De ONLY ting hew had on Lara was de ability to play de short pitched stuff.

ONLY TING!!!

In reply to voiceofreason

fuck the Haters...

this is about Lara my friend. Such petty fools shouldnt worry you. The joy u got from witnessing The Boss is more than any of the haters could ever make u hate them.

In reply to rikiniki

In reply to carib

I would've dropped the remaining 14 first.

So the test averages of our best batsmen are:

44.60
38.80
38.71

None over 50. We are really a class act.

In reply to Larr Pullo

I didnt even get to see LARA,,,that was my ONE dream..i live in Manchester. I ordered tickets for the test matches in England this summer to see my Hero for the FIRST time ever...

My one chance is gone. But...Im not bitter.

This man give me too many moments. I may never have seen him bat....but oh well...

One of the best produced by the region.Thanks for the memories.Walk good,Bri.We will miss you more than we now know.The timing is appropriate just as in your batting.

In reply to thefan

Warne and McGrath did the same thing as well...

Maybe Lara had planned to retire at the end of this WC for sometime...

He still would be an automatic selection to the WI team...but it is his choice to retire and there should be no turning back now...

The next few series going to be extremely difficult and it is unlikely WI would win a single Test with or without Lara...first a tour of England then a tour of SA and Aus touring the Windies in 2008...a really tough way to start captaincy for Sarwan..

Good Luck Lara

In reply to Surya

Is ah hard pill to swallow :(

In reply to Fahim

Sorry to hear bro.

In reply to dcbreds

Well said bro.

In reply to zimzimma

They are tired of being embarrassed.

Most hundreds over the past 4 years. Highest average each year over the last four years.

Still the WR for first class and test cricket. Nine double hundreds. Greatest batsman of spin. I could go on and on but ah so fugging mad.

In reply to Fahim

Sorry Bro...In full flight he was one of the best!!!

However, this is a dress down world, and if you cant be part of the solution you shouldn't stay and be part of the problem.

In reply to rikiniki Check your email

In reply to voiceofreason

why don't you shut your dottie hole?

Isn't it a legitimate question? Why leave the fcuking team when you are still the best test batsman in the team? All the talk prior to the WC had Lara pegged for another 2 yrs. Now, its suddenly changed. Maybe he's plain fed up or maybe there's a really big feud going on between him and the 3 Blind Mice. Who knows!!

In reply to caribI somehow believe Lara is more strongminded than that. I don't think the asinine criticism of braying jahjahjakkasses would lead him to premature retirement. At least I hope so...he still has much to offer...especially when BK (gimme da money), Gayle (lights on but nobody home), and Samuels (nut unclear /clearly a nut) go.

8) 8) 8)

In reply to thefan

Keep de peace bro. Why yuh cussing VoR like dat? People actually hurt. :?

Thanks for some of the best cricket. Left sooner than anticipated but your legacy lives on.

In reply to Larr Pullo

Well, I guess we will really see the solution now when we sink to the level of Bangladesh. Its people like you and your crazy ass criticism of things he had NO control over that finally drove him out!
I hope you well happy!

In reply to Larr Pullo

Sorry...?

Sorry that i got to see THE GREATEST BATSMAN EVER MANY MANY TIMES SCORE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF RUNS? i aint sorry...u shouldnt be...all be it on telly but atleast one day in the future i can tell my kids about how Good he was and that no ONE no matter how good will ever be close. Because...Lara was as close to perfection in batting as one could get.

In reply to Fahim

I was privileged to see the entire 400 not out live. Sorry to hear of your dilemma, but you got some DVD's... Cherish them.

In reply to Chrissy

Chrissy, these bottom feeders had nothing but ridicule and contempt for the man.

But let me tell yuh something. I was at the ARG for the 375 (even have a pic of the shot he made to go from 365 to 369), I was in DC for the 400 but watched every ball of that innings on Willow. I have seen almost all of the double hundreds, and most of his hundreds.

During his ENTIRE FIRST CLASS career (and even before then actually) I have seen dedication and commitment to excellence. NOT ONE OF THESE FUGGING PLAYERS ON THIS TEAM HAVE THAT KIND OF DEDICATION. And they are allowed to stay while he retires?

WI cricket meant a lot to this man. He could have focussed on T&T only but his reach was wide. His best innings were played in non-T&T grounds. Everything the man did and said epitomised the best of WI cricket.

Yet they want to push him out. Viv said it best when he effectively said that those who want to push him out does not deserve to be in the same room with this man.

In reply to carib

Your wish to keep Lara around was purely selfish, and that's understandable. However, the time has come for him to go, and hopefully he's the first of many.

In reply to thefan

So who you gonna jerk off on next??? Huh , Jerkoff Kid??? You miss him already, ent?

In reply to carib

Level of Bangladesh...an away Test series in Bangladesh right now would be very close with probably Bangladesh being slight favorites...

Home Tests...WI are still favorites as of right now...

In a couple years when we are due to tour Bangladesh next, they may be definite favorites and home tests may be alot closer...

Hopefully the WI team can somehow improve though...the next few series are going to be very challenging...just drawing a few of Tests would be a noteworthy achievement...

In reply to Larr Pullo

Agreed with you bro....for those who did not see the likes of Viv and the West Indies machine in the day really missed out.

However, Lara is a class cricketer, a great West Indian in the league with Viv and the rest of them. He deserves the highest honor, because he is/was the only light that kept us watching..... However we knew it was coming, and here it is; We all wished that he went out with Windies Champions of WC2007....but lots of blame to go around.

Hats off the Lara - Thanks for the great, great memories.

In reply to voiceofreason

Asswipe, you're a prime reason why Dotties should not get computers. I fuggin miss Lara? He's decided to go and off he facking goes. Thanks and good luck. Next topic. You go cry and jerk off if you fuggin want.

In reply to dcbreds

You should hear Maurice Foster on air.

In reply to Chrissy

Which station is he on? I will subscribe if I have to? Or is it worth it?

In reply to dcbreds

Look stop being hysterical.

Sobers retired from cricket...life went on.

Vivian richards retired from cricket, life went on.

Sanjaya got voted off idol, life goes on.

Lara retired from cricket...life goes on.

Nobody died!!!

In reply to hubert

Sir Charles, you will be miss mate. You were pure CLASS. I wish you all the best.
JC

In reply to Larr Pullo

The difference is that we had performing batsmen when all of those guys retired. WE DO NOT HAVE THAT NOW!!!!

In reply to thefan

You miss cussing him. So predictable.... Now we will hear from you less.

rgds Vor.

In reply to dcbreds

I have no doubt that a few youngsters will put up their hands. The situation is not as dire as you want to think.

In reply to voiceofreason

Yes, I'll miss cussin him and I'll start cussin you instead now.

I never cuss a man who didn't deserve it

In reply to jk2s
Very challenging?
We are going to get blown out, one Test after the other. Don't even THINK that it will be any different.
All those people who think it will be better have been pushing some crackpot theory that Lara was the problem-that they were relying " too much" on him.
Their boundless buffoonery is about to be exposed.

This is a sad day for all West Indies cricket fans and Cricket fans in general.

Thanks for all the great memories - You played the game the way it was meant to be played. You entertained us with the flashing blade and played the game with honesty - walked without the umpire having to make a decision just like you are walking now before the dumb and ungrateful selectors, the board and digicel give you out.

You devasted bowlers and fielders all around the world.

You set batting records upon batting records.

You carried a WEAK West Indies team on your shoulders for decades.

You were always a man of style and you did things your way.

West Indies cricket will go on without you but it will never be the same without you - for the next few years at least.

In my opinion, no batsman in the history of the game can touch you.

Again, thanks for the great memories and hope to see more of you on the County circuit.

Brian Charles Lara is the Greatest !!

In reply to DLO

Well said bro.

In reply to carib

I am an Optimist, but I have to agree with you here. The Road forward at first, will be very rough.

In reply to carib

Look, where the hell are you getting the blown out theory from, is it from our performance over the past few yrs?

Nobody knows what will happen to WI cricket. Let's just wait and see.

Considering the shit he got from some of the WI "fans" I'm surprised he didn't do it earlier.
Great batsman and if it weren't for him WI cricket would be in the shithouse rather than the doghouse.

Brian Lara carried the lame carcass of WI cricket on his back for all these years, suffering insults at the hands of people with agendas that had nothing to do with cricket. He has borne his burden with class and dignity.

Thank you Brian...if it wasn't for you, there would be absolutely nothing to celebrate about WI cricket over the last 10 years. Almost every good memory we have about our cricket over the last decade and more involves you and your superior talent. Thanks for your dedication in the face of adversity. Thanks for the memories and I sincerely hope you continue to be richly rewarded in the years to come.

And may fire and brimstone befall your enemies.

In reply to Larr Pullo

LIke Kieron Pollard , I guess.He put up his hand.
No, wait....
You must be INSANE to think any of these youngsters are ready to step into Laras shoes.

In reply to DLO


Amen!

In reply to carib

Keiron Pollard is where u going for an example?

Didnt you see Sarwan batting today?

How long did you want to have Lara around?

We were losing and losing badly with him anyway!!!!

In reply to Larr Pullo

1. When Sobers retired, we had Fredericks, Rowe, Lloyd, Kallicharran, Kanhai and Julien were still playing. And Viv and Greenidge were waiting in the wings.

2. When Viv retired, we had Lara, Adams, Lara, Hooper, Lara, Richardson.

So, give me comparable players in 2007.

Well said. Cricket will never be the same without Brian.

In reply to Larr Pullo

You are such a skunt. We lost IN SPITE OF Lara's presence in the team.

In reply to dcbreds

So if we don't have those comparable players and Lara is still the best test batsman in the team, why the hell is he retiring? Anyhow, its his decision and nobody else's.

In reply to dcbreds

Exactly!!! So what difference does it make if he retire?

In reply to thefan

You remember that 216 Lara scored against Pakistan? just plug in the contribution of say a Marlon SAmuels instead of Lara and there you have the future of the team.
There's being beaten and there is total, innings and 100 runs humiliation-every game, as far as the eye can see.

In reply to thefan
Let him retire in peace. Find a new man to vent your frustrations.

In reply to Larr Pullo

Now, we mekkin it really hard for DcBreds :lol: :lol:

In reply to carib

Did we win or lose that test match?

In reply to DLO

I aint sad 8)...and ah sure Lara happy too that he called it ah day

In reply to carib

3 day defeats will be the norm. None of these fuggers could bat an entire day.

In reply to dcbreds

ah know yuh only supported Lara

In reply to thefan

You really find it hard to make sense eh?

In reply to Larr Pullo

Sarwan AND Lara batted today. It will be a lot worse if its Sarwan and (insert name of failing youngster).
We haven't seen the depths to which WI cricket will fall yet -and all because of asshats who criticised the great man into retirement.

In reply to dcbreds

then we gotta find 4 guys who could each bat half a day

In reply to carib

Is it too late to ask the ECB to reduce the number of Tests for the Eng tour next month...

Maybe WI can just play 2 Tests instead and some more ODI's or 20/20...

At least the ODI's may be competitive..

4 Tests, beginning in May (WI have never played Tests in England in May), 1 3-day practice game at the flattest pitch in England, and now no Lara...ummm could the odds be more stacked against the Windies and whomever the new captain is in his debut series..

In reply to jk2s

Look man its too late for that stuff. We have the schedule we have. Frankly, ALL tours now feature a practice match or two, then a Test series, so the WI are getting exactly what every team that tours England now gets.Dunno why you think things would be any different for the WI.

I was hoping that Lara would hang around for a year or two and give youngsters like Deonarine and Simmons another year to grow into Test class players. Now they will be hurled into the breach like so much cannon fodder.

In reply to thefan

STEUUPS!!
Here is a more realistic plan. Lets see if Clark Kent will suit up for the WI.

In reply to carib

Yeah man, you are right. You have seen how some of the younger players have performed when Lara was batting at the other end. He takes pressure off the other players. Name one batsman who can do that.

In reply to dcbreds

Now we'll try to create a team.

Instead of a superstar with who we losing anyway....

All I want to say:

Lara have a happy retirement!!!!!!!

The emperor left us all bereft and poorer. All those power and glory of Lara will be missed.

Long live the King!

I believe in the not too distant future, the WI team will set a new record.....defeat in two days, with a high possibility of defeat in one day.....

In reply to watchman

Are you looking forward to that day?

Did it ever occur to you that teams will now increase the number of ODI cricket games per tour and play less tests against the WI? Now, thats a good thing for money.

In reply to carib

In reply to jk2s :lol: U're befuddled by sumpn the WICB did? How long u been watching this soap opera??"

In reply to jk2s

Man, had England known Lara was going to retire they may not have scheduled any tour whatsover!

Practice matches have been going out of style for some time now. Thats just how it is.

In reply to carib

Well, the positive now that Lara is gone and teams aren't gonna schedule tours for the WI is less cricket so less headaches for you.

Wait nuh! The man gone? He really gone?

WTF?

I was thinking it was just leaks to "test the waters"

Look, Lara, take some advice, spend some time with yuh family.

Nothing better than that oui.

Lara had all intentions of continuing on, but i'm afraid the Lara haters got their way and the great man is hanging up his boots. A sad day for cricket and i hope he and the West Indies team can be prosperous from here on out in their seperate endevors!

It will be harder for the batting team without Lara in England in May. It's still cold and I'm expecting May to be cold as well. Ideal condition for the English bowlers who thrive on this kind of condition but almost alien to most of the Windies batsmen.

words fail me :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

Even though Lara has retired the fortunes of the West Indies Cricket will not change over night. Lara is the only world class player in the team and one of the fittest players. The attitude of the players need to change along with WEST INDIES CRICKET BOARD management. So those expecting West Indies to be world beaters overnight I suggest you hold yur horses.

Brian Lara thank you for all the joys you have brought to us. You are the greatest batsman the caribbean has ever seen. Not since the time of the late George Headley has a batsman carried a team on his back. Brian you have inspired,dazzled fans who have supported you hard and good times. Brian my only regret is that your last game as a West Indies player did not see you lifting the world cup trophy in Kensington Oval to the loyal West Indies Fans. I wish you the best in all your future endevours.

Retiring from international cricket only? Maybe he's planning a county stint; maybe, with one that has a tour match against the West Indians scheduled.

No doubt Brian has passion for the game, for West Indies Cricket. No doubt he has driven fear into many a bowlers. No dobut he is the best bast man of our time. A class act.

Unfortunatley, like many gifted persons, Brian will not be remember for only for his skill but many of his short comings.

Brian at times can be aloof and self centered. There are still persons who cant forgive him for trying to undermine courtney. It is a fact that Brian is a party animal and i suppose persons have not been able to deal with his "attitude" after the many losses he has spearheaded.

Frankly, good players or not Brian is a average captain at best. Like it or not once his name is mentioned in the anals of cricket history, this will come up too.

I can not be easier for one man to be criticized so! One wonders the pain he must feel at times.

As the saying goes "Uneasy is the head that wears the Crown" and want sleepless nights you must have had Brian Charles.

I hope after the trash talk... we can move on, I hope Lara does some introspection and can admit to himself and to the fans that, as great a player as he was his capataincy lack tenacity.

BC, we honour you as a great player... bout you you leadership was found wanting...

Good riddance!!

Now the re-building can commence w/o the vindictiveness...

Damn, that is sad, that such a great batsman should go out like this.

I wish he'd retired after Pakistan, on a better note.

Goodbye Brian, thanks for the good memories.

Arawak

In reply to Arawak

True dat.

100 not out ... :cry: :cry: :cry:

Well I am in shock and I suspect that the rumours that the selectors were not selecting him for teh tour of England was teh main reason for this premature decision.

I was hoping that he would play tests for at least another 2 years.

But alyuh please let tge the greates batsman in this era have some peace.

I have a strong suspicion that Lara has unfinished business and will return to play at least 1 more test match.

In reply to anandgb

Maybe for an international team, but NOT a West Indies team!

In reply to anandgb

Then you don't know Brian Lara.

In reply to anandgb

BTW I eh hear from yuh all day. Ah tought yuh woulda open ah Sarwan thread by now. :D

In reply to jk2s
The news coming out a few days ago is that he would not be in the squad to England. I believe that this forced him to quit before it was announced to save the embarrassment of the greatest batsman I've ever seen. This is WI for your money! Nevertheless, I would like to thank him for giving me a reason to support & look at WI cricket. Now I do not know if I would spend my time and money to support WI cricket, until I actually start seeing progress from the board to the players to the results. This is a very sad day for me and WI cricket!

Well...Lara has done all he could on the field. He could never take WI cricket forward. Still he will be remembered for some fine batting in his time. He is no doubt up there with the best. Walk good man!!!

Brian dont gooo :cry: :cry: :cry:
OMG i cant seem to imagine WI cricket without him..
Thanks for all the great memories... all the best

In reply to Chrissy

I think that the stage was always set for Brian Lara to exit from West Indies prematurely. Everything including his place of birth, conspired to make this happen. The miracle is that he has been able to put off his retirement for so long, and yet make some kind of contribution.

Now if he could only write the book that really needs to be written about West Indies Cricket, including the politics behind the game, so as to explain to a dumfounded world, that while there may in the future be a few very good players, there will never again be a great West Indian team. It is not the end of a career, but the end of a dream. Perhaps the islands should all go there sepatate ways, like happened with the W.I Federation. If the governments rally behind their teams, I can qucker see a great Jamaican, or Barbados, or T&T than a great W.I team. Remember Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago in the past have already qualified for the World Cup.

In reply to dcbreds

In reply to Prophet

I am sure that there will be a lot more with regards to this situation as soon as the WC is over. The question is, who will want to see the WI play cricket without the King? He was the only one that will draw a crowd. Would you pay money to see Sarwan, Chanderpaul, Gayle, etc.? I don't think so!

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
If I said to all of you that I had a dream of Brian walking off of the pitch at the oval with Mat tucked under arm and somehow it meant something special you might not believe me.
Brian...1994 you stirred my cricketing blood, at kensington 153 runs and a shocked steve waugh and broken Aussies...I only want to focus on the positive here so let me simply say thankyou.
shook your hand at the airport several times ,even parteid with you in Power x 4 on a few occasions...hopefully we can officially meet soon and I can call you a friend.
Thanks Brian! :cry: :cry:

Thanks for all the wonderful memories Brian.

and it's a shame that yuh had to go out liks dis, but then it's your decision and as a fan ah respect dat.

Ah wish yuh all the very best in life.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! SAY IT AIN'T SO.

I had a sad, sad feeling when I started to watch the match today, I didn't even wear my Windies shirt like I always do. Felt even sadder when YOU came to the crease ... couldn't understand why.

At the end it all made sense why I felt so down. One man can only take so much and I guess the big man had enough. I don't blame you for leaving, I just wish you didn't have to go.

Today is a sad day for West Indies Cricket ... it will never be the same for me.

GOODBYE, GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU ... MR. BRIAN CHARLES LARA.

In reply to dcbreds So the test averages of our best batsmen are:

44.60
38.80
38.71


Care to post the test averages of New Zealand's best batsmen??? :roll: :roll: :roll:

In reply to dcbreds Larr just got a hatred for Lara it is an absolute joke.

Thank you for all the memories Brian Charles Lara.
I can tell my children one day that I saw you in person.
Many times you were the only one keeping WI cricket watchable.

On to the WI team, there's no one left to blame, I hope the hard decisions will be made to turn out a professional unit, although I don't see us ever dominating world cricket again.

In reply to Dukes What is your point New Zealand does not have batsmen of the talent of those three batsmen. The reason New Zealand is able to compete is they have bowlers that can get 20 wickets and what they lack in talent they make up for with determination and grit which West Indies cricketers lack barring Chanderpaul and Lara.

In reply to Dukes

So we are trying to compare ourselves to the NZers now? OK. :roll:

We will move from below average to slightly below average.

Good bye to the greatest.

No batsman have given me such joy in life.

You are so infectious that this Bird truly loves you. I sometimes forgot that I was a West Indies fan because of being a true Lara fan. (Confession). I wanted you to play forever, and may be you will.

You deserve your place amonst the Legends; Geniuses. You are truly above great.

May God be good to you and your family for the rest of your life.

Somehow; I feel that the best of Lara is still to come. You are the successor to Sir Frank. We await your next test.

Love Blackbird.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
You are the Boss you will be missed by everyone.
Even your haters.
Have a Happy retirement Boss1

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
You are the Boss you will be missed by everyone.
Even your haters.
Have a Happy retirement Boss!

thanks for the mems bcl...you're certainly the greatest batsman of any generation, i'm disapointed with the captain stints, but that's life...good luck in the future.

Why stick to a losing formula? The West Indies as a team is a vestige of colonialism. Its best days are in the past. It is time to build a new legacy on national pride rather than on regional hypocracy. We have turned a corner, and too much water has flowed under the bridge. It is only way that we will ever respect, or learn to love each other again.

We will never again see the likes of Brian Lara. With a bat in hand he was an absolute genius. And we have been more than fortunate to have been witness to his prowess: the high back-lift, the flashing blade, the exquisite cover drive, the delicate glance, the murderous lofted straight drive, the all-round superb artistry in batting.

We will certainly miss that, miss the excited expectation of seeing him walk once more onto a West Indies Test field... and walk off after yeat another Lara century.

I suspect, however, that his words have been chose carefully, that there will in fact be more of Lara in cricket. Perhaps something to do with a league development... in the US? maybe. Or something quite outside the bounds of ICC cricket as we know it today.

As far as the future of West Indies cricket is concerned, I will not go there at this stage. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Walk good BCL. You have brought us great joy with your batting exploits.

In reply to DIEHARD
Those incompetent pirates in the WICB are responsible for his early retirement. They have been piggybacking on him for the longest while.He is the one who is visible to the WI public and much of the abuse which is due to them(WICB) is directed towards him by an unwitting public.
Who can they piggyback on now. I predict within a year calls would be coming from the public for their resignations.

In reply to kazakman

Poor Sarwan better go strengthen his back!

In reply to Prophet

You know this is a sad sad day for WI cricket. It seems that so many greats leave unappreciated by those they elevated.

But to hint that because Lara is gone that there is no more need for West Indies Cricket is bs. Haynes, Richie, Viv, all got f'ed over and their fans didnt suggest that because their favorite player was gone that the whole game should just stop.

What needs to happen is people need to stop pussyfooting and someone needs to find the real story of why Lara was forced to make this anouncement because noone can convince me that he was ready to retire all things being equal.

And WI cricket will move on.

With or without Lara the Windies team is very weak. So what the fuss is all about?? The selfish and self-centered cricketer has called it quits, so let him be. Comments that there will never be another Lara may not be a bad wish afterall, as the Windies could well do without another selfish good batsman who cannot inspire anyone on the team. Scoring runs when it hardly matters or establishing records for losing causes are not worth celebrating, except for those who care only about the exploits of the individual.

it is always sad when a great man calls time on his career especially when he has been hounded out by his own people. Lara for me remains the greatest of all time if we ever see another batsman like you we will be lucky if we get another batsman like you we will be blessed
thanks for the memories Brian Charles Lara the greatest of all time!!!

with out brian charles lara westindies cant even pass the score of 200 in test match cricket and match will over in 3 days it is soooooo sad about retirement of lara in both forms of cricket i am so sad he must continue in the test cricket for the sack of westindies

Walk good Lara.

We enjoyed many years of your wonderful batting and genius cricket.

We now look forward to the future of WI cricket.

I would like to see Lara remembered for the absolutely brilliant batsman that he was. I am glad there was some decorum in his leaving by allowing him to announce his retirement. Now we will have to see how we manage going forward...

Farewell to a great batsman.

Wish him the best of luck in the future.

However, as I have always said, WI cricket is greater than any one player or group of players, or Board for that matter.

WI cricket may well be better off for this, given the turmoil that Brian Lara seems to bring to the team, whether voluntarily or involuntarily.

For those who refuse to accept this and particularly those who refuse to back the team without Lara...we should bid them farewell also ......as WI cricket can also do without them providing the bad Karma.

It is precisely this type of outlook on the part of fans and WI cricket officials that has caused Brian Lara to become the omnipotent ruler that he has become. That is only good while you are leading by good example and fostering harmony amongst the team. That is what leads to WINNING in team sports.

This is a team sport and for those who have played team sports, they might be able to accept the distinction between individual stardom and team spirit. If there is an element withn the team that creates disharmony, it is best to shed that element for the good of the team as there is hope for the future in the latter action.

I suspect that Mr. Lara was given the option to stay and tow the line or ship out. He may have opted for the latter.

I would like to pay tribute to Lara he was the greatest servant of West Indian cricket. He played in a team, where we never got to really see his class. I was getting ready to book tickets for the up coming tour of England but now I am not so sure.

I am tired of the selectors, WICB structure, and the so-called fans that assisted others in criticising him. West Indies have lost a great servant. He I think is another victim of West Indies cricket. Go Lara you have carried our cross for too long and I do not blame you for putting down I point fingers at all around you.


Brain Charles Lara. Signal Signal start de Carnival.

Farewell Brian, thank you for the memories.

Warne, Lara, and soon McGrath. Cricket just feels a bit empty at the moment.

In reply to jijordon

You have made some very good points, while many others have been sentimental. Lara wass a great batsman, and I am so sorry that I won't see him during his tour of England. He was easily the most exciting batsman I have watched, possibly even more exciting than the Master Blaster himself.

But he was not a team man, and definitely not a good leader. The way he undermined the captaincies of Logie (Trinidad), and Richardson and Walsh (WI) indicates personal goals took precedence over team goals.

His approach to training was poor, and while it did not affect his status as a great, it was a bad example to his charges. I hoped he would still tour england, not as a captain, but as a player in teh twilight of his years.

In reply to Commie

You missed my point. There may be good, even great players in the future but the dictating forces in W.I cricket will always ensure that it is a house divided. The sum of the many is now less than power of one. The colonial master that forced us together in the distant past, and provided the motivation for us to be great in the more recent past, is no longer a factor. It's time to trow off this trecherous and hypocritical vestige of colonialism.

The gods conspired for Lara to be more than just a player, but we conspired against them to ensure that he will only be remembered as a player. Because our reasons were so much less than noble, we, meaning the W.I team, and all associated with it, will be made to pay!

In reply to Larr Pullo and if u had only seen Bradman or the Atlas,y u so fugging nasty we paying we respects to Lara and u have to try and draw comparrisons to viv as if it's someone's fault they born when they born. U is A unwashed Scunt!

Best bastman of his time and still the best batsman in the
Caribbean .. Thanks for the memories and pride you gave us .. but life goes on and there
are still games to be played.

I am longing for the day when a great batsman can retire from West Indies without all of this rancour. Longing for the day when a great contributor can be lauded with all of the just praise, love and respect they deserve. for once in my adult life without feeling there was some pushing going on...Desmond,Adams,Hooper,,,,now LARA.
The real Q is when will the changes of impact happen at the Management level? The Strutural level?...
See you tomorrow Brian and TEAM

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

This a sad sad sad day for cricket, the greatest batsman of all time forced to retire. I save my other comments for after my tears. I will beg, Lara please don't go.

Sir Brian Charles Lara, thanks for the great memories of your master strokes and genius innings. You will always be my favorite batsman. Now is a good time for you to leave. You've done WI Cricket a great service! All the best in the future, Hail King Lara!

In reply to dcbreds
many thanks to BRIAN LARA---i supported lara even as captain despite everything---i declared him a great batsman when he scored 277 at sydney---- i predicted that he would have broken sober's record--BUT the time has come for him to retire whatever the circumstances : disagreements within the team; the team preferring sarwan as captain---whatever---these are just superficial things but fact of the matter is that this is cricket and this is a natural consequence because if lara was 28 inspite of things happening there would be no talk of leaving---so lets not quarrel --lets not fight --we must get together and make things right

Asiba -The Buffalo Soldier --from Barbados---singer/songwriter/performing and recording artiste

Damn
I rallied for a change of Captain but not that.
Anyway, you gave us pleasure in absolutely dismal times. I am thinking of your cameo yesterday, and wondering.
But life goes on.

In reply to jk2s
did west indies win with lara ?
thanks you sir brian charles lara for your contribution to west indies cricket
thanks
but retirement is a nothing new --its not
it simply is not

In reply to zimzimma
Ditto.

In reply to Prophet
i love how you express this sentiment
i am in total agreement

An era in WI cricket has come to an end, as we all knew it would one day but preferred to believe that the day would never come.

All good things come to an end and this is no different. The only shining star in the WI cricket sky will no longer shine on the field of play. The only purveyor of excellence in WI cricket will no longer perform great deeds to keep WI cricket on the map.

WI cricket will now enter an era minus any area of excellence, an era dominated by mediocrity and the purveyors of mediocrity.

The day of the mediocre is here, and the #9 spot in the test and ODI rankings beckons...perhaps a stopover on the way to #10.

I am happy for Brian - no longer will he have to subject himself to envy, hate, lies, half truths and innuendos in silence. No longer will he have to bear the burden of humiliation owing to the failures of 7+ years experience mediocrities.

No longer will he have to labour single-handedly to save face for their failures and be vilified for his successes that make the mediocrities look bad and thus infuriate their countrymen who would prefer that everyone be as mediocre as their homeboys failures.

I am sorry for WI cricket - it is now inexorably headed to total mediocrity and possible oblivion. As inevitably as Brian Lara's retirement, WI will now "progress" inevitably to being beaten by Bangladesh in tests and ODIs, even if the failures and mediocrities are replaced immediately - which won't happen.

Go in peace Brian, and let them push their fingers in the wounds.

Then, in time, when they have come to realise the errors of their sinful ways, forgive them, Godson, for they know not what they do.

In reply to redbaron

In reply to Patrickcity

No...but I'll be there by about 2:30pm...that's in another hour and a half.

In reply to redbaron

Ok will holler at yah

Good luck in your future Brian. You are a god amongst cricketers. The graceful high arc will be missed. At least now I don't have to take a break from work to see Brian bat My boss will be happy.

In reply to redbaron

Well said Godfather :lol:

In reply to redbaron

Man I couldn't have said it better myself!

In reply to zimzimma

Yes you could. Even if you said the same thing it would sound better coming from you.

In reply to redbaron

:lol: :lol:

What an amazing batsman this guy was - the second best batsman I have ever seen after King Viv. But where King Viv was all about shock and awe, Lara, when he was set, had the best staying power of any batsman I've seen. Nobody was better at turning tons to double tons to triple tons (and even quad tons). It's a shame he was always up against it with the teams he played in recently, and there was always all that rubbish about leadership etc. The WI is one of the few places in the world where someone who is so obviously an all time great, and who has achieved so much for his country and region and for his sport, is vilified by some people - you'd never see Ozzies vilifying Waugh, Taylor, or any of our heroes. We don't even vilify Kim Hughes and he was bloody useless.

I would nominate Lara's series against OZ in 1999, where he singlehandedly secured a draw for a declining WI side against a powerful OZ side, as probably the best I've ever seen a single player dominate the OZ. He averaged 91, with three tons and a half-ton in four matches, including a 213 in the 2nd Test and 153* in the third Test, which WI both won. He scored 100 in the 4th Test as well. And this was a side with McGrath, Gillespie and Warne in their prime, with support from MacGill, while Lara had the likes of journeymen like Campbell, Griffith, Collins and Joseph in his.

That 153* in the 3rd Test which WI won by one wicket, where Lara guided WI to victory ranks as one of the best innings I've ever been privileged to witness.

Take a bow mate, and all the best for your retirement.

In reply to OZGOD The WI is one of the few places in the world where someone who is so obviously an all time great, and who has achieved so much for his country and region and for his sport, is vilified by some people - you'd never see Ozzies vilifying Waugh, Taylor, or any of our heroes. We don't even vilify Kim Hughes and he was bloody useless.


Truer words could not be spoken. The West Indies societies are dominated by mimic men who have no understanding of their past, are clueless about their present, and have no vision for the future. The only thing that governs here is a crab-in-the-barrel mentality. Anybody, such as Lara, who exhibits excellence becomes a target, unless there's a cluster such as occurred during Lloyd's era that can stay the meanness by their sheer prowess and ongoing excellence. 8) 8) 8)

In reply to OZGOD

In reply to gvenkat

I'm not sure about the best ever, but the 2nd best I've ever seen, for sure, after King Viv. But very close. My top 3 in order are Viv, Lara and Warne.

The legend will slip away.

There always seemed a distinct differencer in the approaches of Viv and Lara, which seemed to reflect the position they found themselves in at the time. As OZGOD says, Viv was all bragaddacio and hyperconfidence, transmiting dominance even in his swagger to the crease. Lara was different. When he walked out, he always looked unsure and under pressure, knowing that the players around him were often substandard and the fate of the team rested on his shoulders. He would play and miss a few times, and struggle to get his feet and hands working as he scratched to 15. You would wonder then what all the fuss was about.

Then it would start. Suddenly a bowler would send down one sort and wide of off stump, and Lara's bat would descend like a sword smashing it away to the boundary before a fielder had time to turn around. More would follow; nobody has ever scored big hundreds as consistently and as quickly as Lara. Out of nothing the game would change in a session.

Lara's batting for me evokes the phrase "fragile dominance"; unlike watching Ponting or Waugh for instance, you never had the feeling that he was there for a day as the team piled up a huge score. The supporting cast was too inept for that to occur regularly, and in any case blocking his way to 200 in the style of Waugh wasn't Lara's way. Watching Lara's masterpieces was a more scintillating thrill; it was a case of seeing how many runs he could score before the pressure of carrying inept teammates brought about his dismissal. And that's something which isn't mentioned often enough in relation to his batting. Had he played for Australia, he'd have averaged 65+. As it was, the West Indies dragged him down through their own ineptitude.

Best wishes on your retirement, and I'm disappointed we won't get to see you play here this year.

In a sad way, the runout almost typified Lara's career - let down by the people around him.