Perfect farewell for Brian Lara by CricketArchive staff reporter

---

Event:

India in West Indies 2006

---

DateLine: 29th May 2006

 

Port-of-Spain: It was the perfect send-off to Brian Lara, the Prince of Trinidad. Though he didn’t set the last ODI against India on fire with his trademark mercurial batting, the stylish son-of-the-soil had the satisfaction of leaving Trinidad on a winning note. It was a pity that his promising innings – in what was probably his last match in front of his home crowd - came to an end through a run-out.

 

With the West Indies having no World Cup match scheduled at Trinidad next year, there was a lot of hype about Lara’s farewell match. The 4-1 series win over a higher-ranked India may not convey that Caribbean cricket is back on track. It was nevertheless a morale-boosting series for the Windies who have suffered pain after pain in recent years. Lara, who was the toast of an adoring crowd, termed the atmosphere at the fifth ODI as ``magnificent.’’ He recorded his sense of gratitude for all the fans that whipped up a carnival-like scene on the stands. "I appreciate not just the support of my teammates and management crew, but the Queen's Park Cricket Club - of which I am a member – and it has been a tremendous run for me," said the 37-year-old maestro.

 

Lara was all the more pleased to see his weak side pull off a coup of sorts against a top of the table team like India. He said that team spirit was behind the spectacular run.

 

"We lost Collymore to an injury early, and Hinds chipped in with a couple of early wickets, so you can see the all-round team effort, and I think it is good for us,” he added.