Brian Lara's 153 n.o in the 3rd Test vs Australia at Barbados in 1999

Sports Kaleidopedia Feature

Brian Lara during his match-winning knock of 153 n.o

Brian Lara's 153 n.o in the 3rd Test vs Australia in 1999 in my opinion is the greatest Test innings ever played.Chasing a target of 308 on a weary wicket, West Indies were in all sorts of bother at 78-3 (off 40.4 overs). In came the WI captain Brian Lara and within a span of 15 overs and 25 runs saw opener Griffith and Hooper fall to Gillespie. West Indies were now reeling at 105-5 (off 55.3 overs). 

For Lara, winning the match was not an option but the only option and so he decided to take charge. During the course of next 65 overs, he single-handedly took his team to a nigh impossible win by just 1 wicket. During his innings of 153 he hit 19 fours and a six against arguably the greatest bowling attacks of all time featuring the likes of McGrath, Warne, and Gillespie. The Aussies tried everything but Lara was in no mood to relent. Eventually, the scoreboard changed from 105-5 to 311-9. 

During the course of his illustrious career Lara played several memorable innings (including 375 and 400 n.o.)  but none comes close to matching the brilliance of this one. The innings has been regarded by many cricket experts as the best innings ever played.

Watch it for Lara's strokeplay, his batting flair, flamboyant footwork, gritty determination but most importantly for his ability to consistently hit the ball in the gaps!

 

- Murtaza Ali Khan