Lara the greatest: Woolmer

LAHORE—Pakistan Coach Bob Woolmer called Brian Lara one of the greatest batsmen of all time after his former charge at Warwickshire set a world record for the number of runs in test cricket.
Lara surpassed Allan Border’s mark of 11,174 while scoring 226 against Australia in the third Test in Adelaide on Saturday.
“I’ve always felt that he is the premier batsman of this era because he has five double hundreds, a 375, a 400 and 501 (for Warwickshire),” Woolmer told newsmen in Lahore where Pakistan play a test against England next week.
“Anyone who can score that prolifically has to be one of the greatest batsmen of all time, not just of his era”.
Woolmer was instrumental in signing Lara for the English county in 1994, after he scored a then test record high score of 375.
Lara went on to help the county win an unprecedented three trophies that year.
“He was a wonderful batsman in my tenure at Warwickshire. His performances won the championship for us. He was a marvellous catalyst on the field and I thought he was brilliant.
“He was also a lovely bloke to work with, a very gentle person,” Woolmer added.
Lara came into the Australia series struggling for runs having flopped in the three one-day super series matches with just five runs in three innings for the World XI last month. He made five and 36 in the super test.
He missed West Indies’ tour of Sri Lanka in July because of a sponsorship dispute. “Coming into this Adelaide test he was under pressure as he hadn’t scored a run, though his lean period was caused more by things going on off the field than on it,” Woolmer said. “He’s an awesome batsman and the best in our era without a shadow of a doubt”. Lara also holds the record for the highest individual test innings — 400 not out against England last year — although he trails India’s Sachin Tendulkar for most test centuries. Lara has 31 and Tendulkar jointly holds the record of 34 with the retired Sunil Gavaskar. The 36-year-old Lara plans to play at least until West Indies host the World Cup in 2007, but former England batsman Woolmer believes he has the ability to continue long after that. “He could go on until he’s 42 the way he’s playing if he wanted to,” Woolmer said. “People say his reactions are slowing down but I don’t think so. He should keep on playing as long as he’s enjoying it”.—Agencies