Brian Lara Archives

Shai Hope joins elite list with sublime century against Pakistan

TAROUBA (Trinidad & Tobago): Shai Hope entered an elite list of West Indies batters with a brisk century against Pakistan in the third One Day International (ODI) against West Indies here at Brian Lara Stadium on Tuesday.

Hope etched his name into the record books after scoring his 18th ODI hundred on just 83 balls.

He remained unbeaten with 120* off 94 balls, an innings peppered with five sixes and 10 boundaries.

Playing in his 142nd ODI, Shai Hope reached the triple-figure mark on the fourth ball of the 47th over with a beautiful cover drive off Naseem Shah’s bowling.

With this century, the right-handed batter surpassed West Indies legend Desmond Haynes in terms of most tons, and he is now only behind Chris Gayle and Brian Lara.

Most ODI Centuries for West Indies

Chris Gayle – 298 matches, 25 hundreds

Brian Lara – 295 matches, 19 hundreds

Shai Hope – 142* matches, 18 hundreds

The West Indies skipper provided the West Indies hope when they were in dire straits. He came into bat when the West Indies were in a precarious position of 68-3 in 19.1 overs.

Additionally, he also levelled with Brian Lara for scoring the most centuries in the format as a captain.

Most ODI 100s for West Indies as captain

Shai Hope – 38 matches, 5 centuries
Brian Lara – 125 matches, 5 centuries
Chris Gayle – 53 matches, 4 centuries

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However, Shai Hope held the West Indies innings together with a gutsy knock, forging crucial partnerships that resulted in a competitive total.

First, he formed a 45-run partnership with Sherfane Rutherford (15 off 40 balls), which brought the total to 113 in 30.3 overs.

Following his dismissal, Hope crafted a brisk stand of 64 runs with Roston Chase, which stabilized the home side’s innings.

During the last phase of innings, Hope provided the home side innings an impetus, partnering with Justin Greaves and stitching a destructive stand of 110* off just 50 balls to power them to a formidable total of 294 runs.

READ: Arshad Nadeem returns to Pakistan after surgery in UK

Wiaan Mulder reveals Brian Lara’s surprising advice after near-record declaration

South Africa all-rounder Wiaan Mulder has opened up about his conversation with former West Indies captain Brian Lara following a surprise declaration against Zimbabwe in the second Test.

Mulder, who was Proteas’ captain in place of injured Keshav Maharaj, scored a monumental 367* run knock in the second Test against Zimbabwe. However, the 27-year-old decided to declare the innings 33 runs short of Brian Lara’s 400* runs record despite having ample time in the match.

With this feat, he became Proteas’ highest run scorer in Test cricket. Mulder’s knock was peppered with 49 fours, just shy of John Edrich’s world record of 53 boundaries, along with four maximums.

Highest individual scores in Test cricket:

400* – Brian Lara vs England, 2004
380 – Matthew Hayden vs Zimbabwe, 2003
375 – Brian Lara vs England, 1994
374 – Mahela Jayawardene vs South Africa, 2006
367* – Wiaan Mulder vs Zimbabwe, 2025

Following his imperious knock, Wiaan Mulder shared his thoughts at the end of the day’s play, where he emphasized that Lara’s record should remain unbroken. “Brian Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be,” he said.

Now, Wiaan Mulder has revealed that he chatted with the legendary batter following his knock.

“I’ve chatted a little bit to Brian Lara. He [Lara] said to me I’m creating my own legacy, and I should have gone for it,” he revealed.

“He said records are there to be broken and he wishes if I’m ever in that position again I go and score more than what he had,” Wiaan Mulder added.

Despite Lara’s approval, Mulder remained adamant about not breaking the world record.

“It’s super special and not something I would have dreamt of,” said the 27-year-old. “That was an interesting point of view from his side, but I still believe I did the right thing, and respecting the game is the most important part for me,” he concluded.

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Chris Gayle slams ‘Panicked’ Mulder for not breaking Brian Lara’s world record

Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle has launched a scathing attack on South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder for forgoing the chance to break Brian Lara’s world record.

Last week, Proteas stand-in skipper Mulder played a monumental 367* runs knock against Zimbabwe. By doing this, he etched his name in South African history for recording the highest individual score in the longest form of the game.

However, Wiaan Mulder left the cricket fraternity amused when he decided to declare South Africa’s innings just when he was 33 runs shy of Gayle’s teammate Brian Lara, record of 400* runs.

The 27-year-old innings was peppered with 49 fours, just shy of John Edrich’s world record of 53 boundaries, along with four maximums.

At the end of the day’s play, Wiaan Mulder revealed the reason behind not going past the legendary batter’s record.

“We had enough to bowl at. Brian Lara is a legend. He scored 400 or 401 runs against England, and for someone to hold that record, it is special. I spoke to Shuks (Shukri Conrad) and spoke about letting the legends keep that record. Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be,” he said.

Now, Chris Gayle has shed light on Wiaan Mulder’s decision, noting that such opportunities come rarely.

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“If I could get the chance to get 400, I would get 400,” Gayle said. “That doesn’t happen often. You don’t know when you’re going to get to a triple-century again. Any time you get a chance like that, you try and make the best out of it.”

“Come on, you’re on 367, automatically you have to take a chance at the record. If you want to be a legend… how are you going to become a legend? Records come with being a legend.

Chris Gayle called Mulder’s decision an error on his part, stating it was a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity.

“I think it was an error from his side, not to try and go to get it,” Gayle said. “We don’t know if he would go on and get it or not. But he declared on 367, and he said what he had to say. But listen, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get 400 runs in a Test match. Come on, youngster, you’ve blown it big time,” Gayle explained.

The left-handed explosive batter said Mulder crumbled under pressure and made a big mistake.

“Like I said, he panicked and he blundered, straight up,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Chris Gayle, popularly known as the T20 giant, has two triple centuries to his name in Test cricket. He recorded his best score, 333, against Sri Lanka in Galle back in 2010.

READ: Full Schedule announced for Top End T20 Series 2025 featuring Pakistan Shaheens

‘Test cricket needs Virat’: Brian Lara urges Kohli to continue in longest format

Former West Indies legend Brian Lara has advised Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli to reconsider his decision regarding Test cricket.

Virat Kohli has reportedly been in talks with top BCCI officials for the past month, exploring the possibility of stepping away from the longest format of the game, a format he once ruled and revolutionised as captain.

The decision would mark the end of Kohli’s remarkable 14-year red-ball career.

Having already retired from T20Is in 2024 following India’s World Cup triumph, Kohli’s Test exit would signal the closing of an era for Indian cricket, especially coming so soon after Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format.

In a social media post, Brian Lara said that Virat Kohli should be persuaded to continue in the red-ball format.

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“Test cricket needs Virat!! He is going to be persuaded. He is NOT going to retire from Test cricket,” he said.

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Brian further emphasised Virat’s average for the remainder of his career in the longest format.

“@virat.kohli is going to average above 60 for the remainder of his Test career,” he added.

Statistically, Kohli’s Test journey boasts 123 matches and 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including a memorable tenure as captain across 68 Tests.

However, his red-ball form has seen a noticeable decline, with his average dipping to 32.56 in the past two years, despite a century in Perth in late 2024.

Virat Kohli remains among the elite A+ category in the BCCI’s central contracts — a bracket usually reserved for all-format players.

But with T20Is already behind him and his future in Tests uncertain, a shift in his cricketing priorities seems increasingly likely.

It’s worth noting that the Test series between India and England will kick off on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, followed by matches at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval.

READ: PCB, BCB in talks amid uncertainty over Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan

Steve Smith equals Younis Khan, Brian Lara’s Test record

Australia batter Steve Smith on Friday achieved a historic milestone, joining legends such as Pakistan’s Younis Khan and West Indies’ Brian Lara on the second day of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.

Smith scored another hundred in the ongoing series and took his centuries tally to 34 during the first innings of the Boxing Day Test.

With his 34th century, Smith came level with Brian Lara and Younis Khan as well as India’s Sunil Gavaskar and Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene, who all struck 34 centuries each in the format.

It’s worth noting that Sachin Tendulkar leads the chart for most Test hundreds with a mammoth 51 centuries in the format.

Smith is en route to equal two more legends as India’s Rahul Dravid and England’s Joe Root have scored 36 Test hundreds, only two more than the Australian batter.

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It’s worth noting that Smith also holds the record for the most (11) Test centuries against India.

Smith’s century helped Australia post 474 runs in the first innings on the second day after debutant Sam Konstas stole the show on the first day with his entertaining 60 off 65.

Steve Smith padded up on the second day on 68, with Pat Cummins alongside him on eight. They took 15 off one Deep over before Smith hooked Jasprit Bumrah for six to rub salt in the wounds, with India’s body language showing their frustration.

Smith reached his 34th Test century with a boundary off Nitish Kumar Reddy, which came on the back of a return to form in the last Test in Brisbane where he made 101.

READ: Former Pakistan head coach raises question over Shaheen Afridi’s Test snub

Joe Root goes past Younis Khan, Brian Lara’s record in Test cricket

England batting maestro Joe Root has etched his name in the history books as he went past Brian Lara, Younis Khan and Mahela Jayawardene’s tally of centuries during the Multan Test against Pakistan.

Root struck his 35th Test hundred on Day 3 and jumped to the sixth place in the list of most centuries in the format.

With his landmark achievement, the former England captain surpassed Brian Lara, Younis Khan and Mahela Jayawardene, who have scored 34 centuries each in Test cricket. Root is now only three centuries shy of fourth-ranked Kumar Sangakkara.

Most Centuries in Test Cricket

Sachin Tendulkar – 51 centuries
Jacques Kallis – 45 centuries
Ricky Ponting – 41 centuries
Kumar Sangakkara – 38 centuries
Rahul Dravid – 36 centuries
Joe Root – 35 centuries

Moreover, Root also surpassed legendary England batter Alastair Cook for the record of most runs in Test cricket for the country.

The 33-year-old, who has been in remarkable form, walked out to bat at No.3 with England 4-1 and anchored the innings with a mesmerizing knock.

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He was 71 runs behind Cook’s record of 12,472 in Test cricket for England and achieved the milestone with a boundary off Aamir Jamal.

With 12,473 Test runs, Joe Root is now the highest run-scorer for his country in the format, followed by Cook and legendary Graham Gooch (8900).

Root also reached the fifth spot in the all-time highest Test run-scorers with Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar leading the list with 15921 runs.

READ: Ton-up Joe Root helps England dominate Day 3 against Pakistan

Brian Lara calls this pacer the ‘greatest ever to play’

West Indies legend Brian Lara heaped high praise on retiring England veteran James Anderson, calling him the greatest pacer ever to grace the field.

41-year-old Anderson will play his last Test match against West Indies, starting on July 10, at the iconic Lord’s, the same venue where he made his debut 21 years ago against Zimbabwe.

Lara, while talking about Anderson’s career, lauded the veteran pacer and acknowledged his legacy as the greatest among all the pace bowlers.

“He is the greatest fast bowler that has ever played the game. His numbers are incredible, and he has served England well. I know he did not have that in mind (retiring from cricket), but I think he has accepted it. If that is the choice of his captain, coach, and selectors, then so be it,” Lara said.

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“He has had a tremendous career for England. There are not many England cricketers who come close to Anderson (when asked about Anderson’s legacy). He has taken the most Test wickets as a fast bowler and had a career that lasted for over 23 years.”

Brian Lara name-dropped his fellow countryman Courtney Walsh as the only fast bowler, who is nearly as great as James Anderson.

“I think only Courtney Walsh comes close to him in terms of the number of years he has played, but his legacy is going to be tremendous, and I think as an English cricketer, he has the respect of the world.”

For the unversed, Anderson is the only pacer in history to take more than 700 Test wickets. He achieved the milestone during England’s fifth away Test against India, in March this year.

He is also the third in the list of players with the most Test wickets, only behind spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets) of Sri Lanka and the late Shane Warne (708 wickets) of Australia.

READ: Cricket Australia proposes hosting tri-series with Pakistan, India

‘We proved him right’ Rashid Khan on Brian Lara’s prediction about Afghanistan

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan stated that his side proved West Indies legend Brian Lara right by qualifying for the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

For the unversed, Lara predicted before the tournament that Afghanistan would qualify for the final four teams.

Afghanistan registered a thrilling eight-run victory over Bangladesh in the rain-hit clash in Kingstown to book their place for the semi-final, where they will face South Africa.

“It’s a dream for us to be in the semi-finals. The way we started the tournament, the belief came when we beat New Zealand. It’s unbelievable,” Rashid Khan said in the post-match interview.

“The only guy who put us in the semi-finals was Brian Lara and we proved him right. When we met him at a welcome party, I told him we won’t let you down.

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“It’s a massive celebration back home. It’s a big achievement for us as well. We have done that at the U-19 level but at this World Cup, I don’t have any words to describe the feeling back home. We have to go into the semis with a very clear mind and make sure we enjoy the occasion.”

The leg-spinner also admitted that Afghanistan were 15 runs short with the bat as they managed 115-5 in the allocated 20 overs. However, he stated that bowlers had a clear plan which they followed and earned the rewards.

“We thought 130-135 was a good score but we fell 15 runs short. We knew they would come hard at us and we knew that is what we could take advantage of. We didn’t need to do anything extra, just be clear in our plans,” Khan said.

READ: Pakistan Shaheens to play Top End T20 Series, schedule announced

Brian Lara backs Shubman Gill to break his record of 400 in Test cricket

West Indies batting legend Brian Lara has predicted that young Indian batter Shubman Gill can break his records of highest individual scores in Test and first-class cricket.

Brian Lara holds the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket, scoring an unbeaten 400 against England in 2004.

Moreover, Lara also scored an unbeaten 501 playing for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994, which stands as the highest individual score in first-class cricket.

Lara’s records have been undisputed for years as nobody has come closer to breaking them since then, however, he believes Shubman Gill can break both of his records.

“Shubman Gill can break both my records. Gill is the most talented batter in this new generation,” said Lara during an interview in India.

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“He will rule the world cricket in the coming years. If he [Gill] plays County cricket then he can break my 501*. In Test cricket, he can surely go past 400.”

Lara also shed light on the fact that cricket has evolved over the last few years and courtesy of quick scoring rates any batting record can be broken.

“Cricket has changed a lot, especially batting. Batters play t20 leagues across the globe. The scoring rate has gone up. So you will keep seeing big scores. Shubman will score big, mark my words,” he added.

Brian Lara further praised Shubman Gill over his big match potential and backed him to win ICC tournaments for India in future.

“Gill didn’t score a century (in the World Cup) but he has centuries in all formats, has smashed a double hundred in ODIs and has also played many match-winnings in the IPL. I’m sure he will win many ICC tournaments in the future.”

Shubman Gill amassed 354 runs in nine games during the recent ICC World Cup 2023 at an average of 44.25 with four half-centuries.

Overall, Gill has scored 2271 runs in 44 ODI matches at an astonishing average of 61.37 and strike rate of 103.46.

Meanwhile, in Test cricket, he has scored 966 runs in 33 innings at an average of 32.20 with two centuries.

READ: Shan Masood’s 156* keeps Pakistan in command on first day against Prime Minister’s XI

Northeast becomes first batter since Lara to score 400 in first-class innings

LEICESTER: Glamorgan batter Sam Northeast scripted history with his quadruple century in the County Championship fixture against Leicestershire as he became the first batter since West Indian great Brian Lara to score 400-plus in first-class innings.

Northeast, who scored an unbeaten 410 off 450 deliveries against Leicestershire on Saturday became just the ninth batter overall to reach the 400-run mark in a first-class inning.

The right-handed batter smashed 45 boundaries and three sixes in course of his record-breaking knock.

𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗛𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗗!

Sam Northeast becomes the first Glamorgan player ever to reach 4⃣0⃣0⃣ 👏

𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥. It also brings up the 450 partnership! 🤯

𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲: https://t.co/F3GGp6mm3i #LEIvGLAM | #GoGlam pic.twitter.com/DFrFk15QUW

— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) July 23, 2022

Northeast came to bat at a challenging time for his side as Glamorgan were 9/2 in the seventh over in response to Leicestershire’s first innings total of 584. He is the first Glamorgan batter to achieve the astounding feat.

With his astonishing knock, the right-handed batter powered his side to their highest-ever total (795/5) in county cricket history.

𝗟𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗛

7⃣9⃣5⃣/5⃣

So many records broken in the session! A new highest total in Glamorgan's history! 🥇

Sam Northeast sits on 410* – the highest individual score ever for Glamorgan 👏

𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲: 👇#LEIvGLAM | #GoGlam

— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) July 23, 2022

The 32-year-old has also become just the second batter to go past the 400-run mark in the ongoing century after the legendary batter Lara, who smashed an unbeaten 400 against England in 2004, which, to this date, remains the highest individual score in a Test innings.

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