The West Indies tour of South Africa had already been a humiliating affair, with the team suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of the hosts. Under Brian Lara's captaincy, the team was subjected to severe criticism from all quarters, particularly from their own supporters. The bleak outlook continued when Australia arrived in March 1999, and the first Test saw the visitors assert their dominance, inflicting a staggering 312-run defeat on the West Indies. The series reached a nadir in the Trinidad Test, where Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie dismantled the West Indies batting lineup, reducing them to a paltry 51 in the second innings. Never before had the West Indies been so thoroughly humbled on their home turf, registering their lowest-ever score in a Test match.
Given this backdrop, few expected a turnaround when the West
Indies prepared to face Australia at the Jamaica Test. The mood in the stadium
was one of palpable tension, with Lara—already under immense pressure—greeted
by boos as he walked out for the toss with Steve Waugh. The crowd’s disdain was
unmistakable, and as Waugh exchanged pleasantries, Lara’s response was sharp
and defiant: “This is the last time I’m going to put up with this shit.” The
words, raw and unfiltered, set the tone for what was to follow.
Opting to bat first, Australia was bowled out for 256
shortly after Tea, a score that seemed modest in the context of the West
Indies' recent struggles. Courtney Walsh, the seasoned campaigner, claimed four
wickets, while Pedro Collins added three to his tally. Steve Waugh’s patient
century and Mark Waugh’s disciplined 67 were the only things that kept the
Australian innings from folding for an even smaller total. Nevertheless, with
the West Indies' fragile batting lineup in mind, the Australian bowlers would
have been confident of making further inroads, especially with the prospect of
bowling under the setting sun on the opening day.
The script seemed to unfold as expected when McGrath and Gillespie, the architects of Trinidad’s devastation, struck early. The West Indies' top order was swiftly dismantled, leaving them teetering at 37 for four at the close of play. With Lara and Collins left at the crease, the West Indies appeared on the brink of yet another demoralizing defeat, their fate seemingly sealed before the second day had even begun.
On March 14, 1999, the second day of the Test, Brian Lara resumed his innings from an overnight score of seven, swiftly guiding a delivery from Jason Gillespie to the fine leg boundary. While Glenn McGrath’s precision and discipline often kept Lara in check, the Australian pacer’s short-pitched deliveries were ruthlessly punished. Lara, in his element, dispatched the ball to the on-side with characteristic ease, plundering boundaries in the morning session. As the seamers’ efforts proved ineffective, the task fell to Stuart MacGill, whose wrist-spin was expected to challenge Lara. But MacGill’s first legal delivery—a slow full toss—was treated like a gift, dispatched gleefully by Lara to the mid-wicket boundary.
Lara's Masterclass: A
Defiant Century and a Brilliant Double in Jamaica
MacGill’s attempts to find a consistent line and length were futile. Known for his ability to generate flight, MacGill struggled to exert any real control over the ball. Too often, he served up low full tosses or half-volleys, allowing Lara to capitalize on his lack of bite. The southpaw, in full flow, took full advantage, punishing the Australian spinner at every opportunity.
The much-anticipated contest between Lara and Shane Warne
also turned into a one-sided affair. Initially, Lara played with caution, but
soon the floodgates opened. Warne, typically a bowler who thrived on
challenging batsmen with his guile, appeared bewildered as Lara launched a
series of attacking strokes. The champion leg-spinner, unable to break the
batsman’s rhythm, resorted to a barrage of short deliveries, but Lara responded
with assurance and control.
At 171 for four, with Lara on 84, a pivotal moment arrived.
MacGill’s appeal for a leg before wicket (lbw) was met with uncertainty from
the umpires, and the replays suggested that the ball would indeed have struck
the stumps. MacGill, known for his volatile temperament in such situations, was
visibly frustrated, and his loss of composure allowed Lara to capitalize. Two
boundaries off consecutive deliveries followed, further exacerbating MacGill’s
misery.
The drama intensified when Lara, on the brink of his
century, found himself in a tense situation. Gillespie, with a delivery short
of good length, was guided by Lara towards the leg side, prompting a risky
single. Justin Langer, fielding at square leg, swooped in and hurled the ball
at Lara’s end. The stumps were broken, and the Australians convinced they had
run Lara out, erupted in an appeal. However, the crowd, unaware that umpire
Steve Bucknor had requested a television replay, stormed the field in
celebration, mistakenly believing Lara had reached his century. Once the
invaders were cleared, it was confirmed that Lara had indeed crossed the
crease, and the crowd erupted in thunderous applause, recognizing the
milestone.
The onslaught continued, with Lara showing no signs of
slowing down. MacGill bore the brunt of his assault, as Lara launched two sixes
off his bowling in a single over. With a deft single, Lara reached 150, and the
West Indies had rallied to 282 for four. The innings was still in full flow,
and at the other end, Jimmy Adams quietly played the role of an anchor,
ensuring Lara could maintain his momentum.
McGrath’s usual chirping could not rattle Lara; instead, the
batsman’s reply came through his bat. When Greg Blewett was brought on to bowl,
Lara was batting on 183. Four consecutive boundaries—each stroke a masterclass
in timing and placement—brought him to 199.
The moment for Lara’s double century arrived, and it came off the bowling of Warne. Another glorious on-drive sent the ball racing to the boundary, and Lara raised his bat to acknowledge the crowd. The spectators, once again, surged onto the field in celebration, but this time Lara managed to escape the chaos and retreat to the safety of the dressing room, only to emerge moments later to acknowledge the more composed sections of the crowd. The day belonged to Lara, his brilliance transcending the boundaries of the cricket field.
Conclusion
Brian Lara’s sublime innings eventually came to an end when he was caught behind off Glenn McGrath for 213, with Ian Healy completing the dismissal. By that point, however, Lara had not only neutralized the immediate threat posed by the Australian bowlers but had also restored the West Indies’ confidence, giving them a genuine chance to challenge the visitors. The West Indies, defying all expectations, went on to win the Test by 10 wickets, a result that seemed improbable at the outset of the match. The series itself became a hard-fought contest, with both teams sharing the Frank Worrell Trophy, each securing two victories. This remarkable turn of events marked a resurgence for the West Indies, a testament to Lara’s leadership and the team’s resilience.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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