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