Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

A genius

The editorial, `Cricket's last emperor' (April 21) was a fitting tribute to one of the finest batsmen to have graced the game. Brian Charles Lara's awesome record in both forms of the game and his courageous knocks in resurrecting a declining team's fortunes over the years were truly remarkable.

Cricket will definitely be poorer with the exit of this supremely talented cricketer.

J. Anantha Padmanabhan,
Srirangam

It was painful to see Lara quit the game with a defeat in his last match. He deserved a better farewell. Now what remains is his legacy that can well inspire a whole new generation of cricketers, at least in the West Indies.

Rithu Parnan B.,
Tiruchi

Lara's decision to hang up his boots is timely. But it is sad that he had to bid adieu with disappointment. His decision is an acknowledgement of his failure to realise his dream: to take West Indies cricket back to its glorious heights.

Sudhir Shivaram,
Bangalore

Cricket has been orphaned by Lara's retirement. It would have been a fitting farewell to the maestro had the West Indies reached the World Cup final and won it.

P. Narayanaswamy,
Vadakkanthara, Kerala

Thirty-four Test hundreds, most of them scored in adversity, are a testimony to Lara's wondrous batsmanship. Thanks to Lara for playing a very entertaining brand of cricket for so long. A legend for sure.

M. Sathya Ram Gopal,
Hyderabad

Lara's scintillating stroke-play best exemplified the Calypso brand of batting that had, and still has, at its roots the theme of delighting the paying spectator across the world. If Lara's front foot drives with a high back-lift were powerful and elegant, his wristy strokes off the back-foot and square of the wicket were a sight for the gods. He was a great match winner.

N. Parthasarathy,
Chennai

For most of us Lara's last match brought a lump to the throat. While Don Bradman will be remembered for his stunning average and Steve Waugh for his in-the-trenches resolve, Lara will remain etched in the minds of the game's connoisseurs for his magic with the willow. Oh, for a Lara any day!

Suresh Manoharan,
Hyderabad

An extremely talented batsman who always entertained the crowd, Lara was also a role model for many. All good things must come to an end, and so has Lara's glorious career.

Rakesh S.,
Chennai

Possessed of unique batting style, Lara was one of the few "walkers" in cricket: he never waited for the umpire's signal once he knew he was out.

One only hopes the West Indies cricket board will make use of his long experience in some form or the other to improve the game in the islands.

K. Sivaraman,
Chennai

It is sheer coincidence that Lara chose to bid adieu to the game at the venue of his unbeaten 153 against Steve Waugh's Australians in 1998-99, rated by Wisden as the second greatest Test innings ever. All cricket lovers will surely miss him.

Mahesh Kumar,
Nelluvai, Kerala

Apart from his transcendental batting, the West Indian maestro will also be remembered for his exemplary conduct on the field.

Pravin Sundar,
Chennai

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