The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Lara joins Sobers with 26th Test century

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 07, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

Lara joins Sobers with 26th Test century

KINGSTON (JAMAICA), JUNE 6. West Indies captain Brian Lara and his deputy Ramnaresh Sarwan cracked centuries to put their team in a commanding position on the second day of the second Test against Bangladesh on Saturday.

The Caribbeans powered to 294 for three at close, ahead by 10 runs. The visitor, resuming at 264 for nine, was bowled out for 284 earlier in the day.

Lara, who has staked his captaincy on his team winning this match, blasted 12 fours and three sixes in a magnificent 119, his 26th century in 108 Tests.

Sarwan was swept along in Lara's wake and collected his fifth Test century and ended the day unbeaten on 106. The 23-year-old benefited from one of three catches floored by the tourist to hit 11 fours in just under five hours.

Sarwan was 21 when Hannan Sarkar dropped him at second slip while he drove loosely at a Tapash Baisya delivery. Opener Devon Smith chipped in with 44 before running himself out.

Lara joined Sarwan midway through the day and the pair entertained a crowd of about 5,000. The pair produced some magical strokeplay in a run-a-minute third wicket stand of 179.

The tone was set by Lara when West Indies resumed after tea at 154 for two. The 35-year-old lefthander quickly hit three successive fours off fast bowler Baisya's opening over that cost 15 runs.

Lara raced to 50, with two sixes and his sixth four off 54 balls in just over an hour.

Sarwan plays

second fiddle

With Lara continuing to blaze, Sarwan was content to play the silent partner although he too produced some delightful shots all around. Sarwan was 46 when Lara joined him and the experienced skipper soon overtook his understudy in the 80s with his third six.

It was not long before the Jamaican crowd was saluting another Lara milestone. He nudged his 121st ball to mid-on to reach three figures.

Lara is now level with fellow lefthander and former great Sir Gary Sobers on 26 centuries as the most prolific West Indian century-maker in the game.

The West Indian captain guided Sarwan to his landmark half-an-hour later, the Guyanese glancing Manjural Islam Rana for a single from his 174th delivery.

However, five overs from the end, Bangladesh ended Lara's gem of an innings with Mohammad Rafique inducing an edge to the wicketkeeper.

Nightwatchman Tino Best was keeping Sarwan companyEarlier in the day, the tourist added 20 runs as last men Baisya and Aziz further frustrated the West Indies.

Baisya was in sight of his second Test half-century before he was last out for 48. — AP

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