Monday, April 12, 2004

Gya: Bon dieu! Lara 313 not out!!!

ST JOHN'S, Antigua, (Reuters) - West Indies captain Brian Lara became only the second man to score two triple Test centuries yesterday, smashing 313 not out to destroy England's chances of a series whitewash in the fourth and final Test.

Almost exactly 10 years after he set a then-world record of 375 against England on the same ground, Lara produced a scintillating innings as West Indies plundered 595 for five at the close of the second day.

Lara, who resumed the day on 86, hit 34 fours and three sixes, passing his 300 shortly before the close and prompting a standing ovation from the packed St John's crowd.

He is 68 short of beating Matthew Hayden's record score, set against Zimbabwe last October. Lara joins Australia's Don Bradman as the only man to achieve the feat on more than one occasion.

Ridley Jacobs was unbeaten on 47 at the close and Ramnaresh Sarwan hit 90.

From the moment he smashed Matthew Hoggard for four from the first ball, Lara was determined to wipe away memories of the first three Tests, all won comprehensively by England.

Having made just 100 runs in six innings, Lara reminded everyone of his talent with superb stroke play and immense concentration.

On the odd occasion he did play and miss, Lara set the record straight with another boundary soon afterwards and England's bowlers, including Gareth Batty who went for two towering sixes, were made to toil with little reward.

Lara reached his hundred from 131 balls with a cut for two through the covers. One of only two real scares of the day came when, on 127, he attempted a second run to Matthew Haggard at third man.
Tonnerre!!!! Oui, foute! Cricket, garçon!! England whitewash? What whitewash? Somebody somewhere must've kicked some serious arse and taken real names for Windies to shape up.

Read the rest. England must be wondering what the hell hit them.

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