THE ARRIVAL OF THE PRINCE

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney [2-6 January, 1993].

The five-match Test series between the West Indies and Australia in 1992-93 was expected to be fiercely competitive. The West Indies had already seen the departure of key players like Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, and Malcolm Marshall, with more big names soon to follow. Meanwhile, Australia was emerging as a dominant team, a reality the West Indies faced in the first two matches.

The West Indies narrowly escaped humiliation in the first Test but faced a heavy defeat by 139 runs in the second match at the MCG. Centuries from Mark Waugh and Allan Border, along with Shane Warne's seven-wicket haul in the second innings, secured Australia's win. Despite the tense atmosphere in the West Indies dressing room, 23-year-old Brian Lara remained calm, setting the stage for his remarkable performance in the third Test in Sydney.

Having already lost one of the first two Tests, the West Indies encountered more difficulties as Australia declared at 503/9 in their first innings after winning the toss. Steve Waugh scored a century, while David Boon, Border, and Greg Matthews each contributed half-centuries. The West Indies then lost their openers for just 31 runs, teetering on the brink of their first series loss to Australia since 1975. However, skipper Richie Richardson and Lara refused to give up, forging a 293-run partnership for the third wicket. Richardson was dismissed for 109, but Lara, supported by Keith Arthurton (47), continued to dominate the Australian bowlers. During his 372-ball innings, Lara hit 38 boundaries, achieving his first double century at any level of the game.

Lara’s elegant drives, fierce cuts and pulls, powerful sweeps, and authoritative back-foot punches dismantled the Australian attack. Reflecting on the match, Lara noted how breaking records with each boundary motivated him to keep going. After nearly eight hours at the crease, Lara was finally run out, missing a triple century but securing a crucial lead for his team. Jimmy Adams added an unbeaten 77 as the West Indies posted 606, leading by 103 runs. Lara’s 277 remains the third-highest score by a visiting batter in Australia.

Although the match ended in a draw, Lara’s innings invigorated the West Indies team. Despite scoring only one more fifty in his next three innings, Lara's influence helped the West Indies win the final two Tests and claim the series 2-1. The fourth match in Adelaide was a nail-biter, with the West Indies winning by one wicket while chasing 186. In the final Test, they triumphed by an innings and 25 runs, even though Lara contributed just 16 runs. This innings at the SCG is still regarded as one of the greatest in Test cricket, and Lara’s legacy continued to grow throughout his career. His 277 in Sydney is fondly remembered, and he even named his first daughter Sydney in its honor.

REFERENCES-

1. 30 years to Brian Lara's magnificent 277 at SCG- Cricket.com [URL- https://www.cricket.com/news/30-years-to-brian-laras-magnificent-277-at-scg-1672887376163 ]

2.  SCG memories: The day Brian Lara’s genius was born- Dan Walsh- The Sydney Morning Herald [URL- Test cricket 2023: Remembers Brian Lara’s 277 at the SCG, 30 years on (smh.com.au) ]

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