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West Indies batting great Brian Lara has shared a humorous yet humbling story from his first Test match, revealing how his early interaction with Sir Vivian Richards left a lasting impression on him. Speaking on the chat show, Lara walked down memory lane and narrated a moment that reflected both the hierarchy within the team and the deep respect he had for the legends of West Indies cricket.
A dream call-up turns into a reality check
Lara recalled the moment he received his Test call-up for the West Indies team and was asked to report at 9 am. He made sure to reach the ground well before time, arriving at 8 am, excited to meet his childhood heroes. And what a welcome it was – the dressing room featured the iconic names of Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, and Malcolm Marshall.
“I got an opportunity to play with him (Viv Richards). On my first Test match was in Trinidad and I got a letter from the board, “You’re on the team report 9 am tomorrow morning for practice”. And I got there at 8 am. Then the team arrived and this is all my heroes… Viv (Viv Richards), Greenidge (Gordon Greenidge) Haynes (Desmond Haynes), Malcolm Marshall, everybody all the big boys and they went into the dressing room,” said Lara on Stick to Cricket.
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Why Brian Lara had to spend five days in bathroom?
As the then-youngster entered the dressing room with anticipation, a surprising event took place. Lara revealed how his cricket bag was thrown out of the change room. He revealed that he had unknowingly placed his bag in the spot reserved for none other than Richards. What followed was a lesson in team dynamics. Lara packed his bag back up and quietly shifted to a new corner – which turned out to be the bathroom.
“I said to my brother, its time I go say hello to my teammates. And while I was walking into the dressing room, my cricket bag came flying out the dressing room spat everything just all over the place. I picked it up, packed it back and I walked in the dressing room and where I placed my bag is where Sir Vivian places his bag. So I spent the first five days of my Test career in the bathroom,” added Lara.
The story reflects the respect and pecking order that existed in the West Indies dressing room and serves as a reminder of the humble beginnings of even the greatest cricketers. Lara, who would go on to become one of the finest batters in cricket history, clearly never forgot where it all began.
