Brian Lara is one of the greatest batters that the game has seen. He hardly had any weaknesses and for a long time, the southpaw dominated world cricket. Even now, he holds the record for the highest individual score in Tests. This is a record that is very hard to beat right now. It was in 1990 against Pakistan in Lahore that Lara made his Test debut. It was the third Test of the series and West Indies had a great chance to win the series. However, the game ended in a draw and so did the series. On that note, here, we take a look at West Indies’ playing XI when Brian Lara made his Test Debut.
Openers: Desmond Haynes (C) and Gordon Greenidge
Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge were the openers in West Indies’ playing XI when Brian Lara made his Test Debut. Lara had the same skipper for both his Test and ODI debut. Desmond Haynes was the opener in both these games while Gordon Greenidge was his partner in Tests. Greenidge is also a cricketer who did well for the team, scoring more than 7000 runs.
Middle-Order: R Richardson, Brian Lara, G Logie and Jeff Dujon (WK)
It was the same middle-order for Lara in both his ODI and Test debut. In this particular game, though, this middle order did not step up. Lara, too, did not have a memorable outing. While he scored 44 runs in the first innings, he scored just five in the second.
All-Rounders: Carl Hooper
Carl Hooper was the all-rounder in West Indies’ playing XI when Brian Lara made his Test Debut. The all-rounder was a vital player for West Indies in this encounter. He scored 134 runs in the first innings and then 49 in the second innings.
Bowlers: Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose, Ian Bishop and Courtney Walsh
As usual, West Indies had a top-pace attack back then and it was no different for this encounter. Pakistan was out for just 122 in the first innings. Ambrose and Bishop picked a five-wicket haul in the first innings and this set the tone for the rest of the game for the visitors.
