Brian Lara is my favorite cricket player of all time -- let's make that clear up front. But until a few weeks ago, I had never actually spoken to him. The site was Jarrett Park in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and it was one day after the West Indies had suffered an embarrassing warm-up loss to India in which the Windies were bowled out for 85 runs. Lara seemed testy during the practice, at one point chastising teammate Lendl Simmons for drinking water on the field during play. After the session, I wanted to ask Lara a few questions about his possible final time facing old nemesis Glenn McGrath. I was nervous about approaching him, especially after witnessing the incident with Simmons and also remembering stories about Lara's moodiness. But I swallowed my pride and approached him near the team bus. He was extremely receptive, gave good quotes and answered the questions thoroughly. Afterward, he stayed a couple minutes to sign autographs for fans who gathered outside the bus. I left convinced the prickly, arrogant Lara I used to hear about was all a myth.
Fast-forward two days later, one day before the West Indies' opening match against Pakistan. After the Windies' practice session, an Indian journalist simply asked Lara if he would consider retiring after the World Cup, which might be appropriate. "I'm not going to let you or anyone else dictate when I retire,'' Lara snapped back. "I'm here to win a tournament.'' He later headed for the team bus, passing every autograph- and picture-seeker as if they didn't exist.
The following day, the West Indies posted an impressive victory against Pakistan. You'd think Lara would be in a great mood. At the post-match press conference, a reporter asked him why wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin batted before Dwayne Smith in the lineup when the scoreboard stated Smith would bat first. Lara explained that the plan all along was for Ramdin to bat first. When the reporter asked why then did the scoreboard say differently, Lara bristled: "What do you want me to say?! People make mistakes.'' He didn't get loud, but he did get to the point.
Maybe it's the pressure of trying to win the World Cup in his fifth and final try. Or maybe he's tired of hearing the same questions over and over again. But I was disappointed by Lara's behavior. I still think he's the most entertaining batsman I've ever seen, and I don't expect him to be robotic and without emotion. I guess sometimes we view our heroes from afar as flawless but when we get a closer look we realize they're only human like us -- even if they possess superhuman batting skills.
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