There was a time when Brian Lara could do nothing wrong. World records tumbled, and so did he -- in the field -- taking some superb catches.
But when you're out of form and out of the captaincy, then -- as the poet put it -- 'things fall apart, the
centre cannot hold'. Lara, once the centre of all West Indian endeavours, failed today to hold the
simplest of catches.
Picture the scene. The South Africans, sent in to bat by the new captain Carl Hooper, had advanced from
their overnight total of 244 for 5 to reach the 300 mark. Ominous.
Daryll Cullinan is progressing well with his 14th Test century, two more than any other South African
batsman in history. He goes down the pitch impetuously and swings cross-batted. The ball flies in a looping trajectory straight to Lara at deep mid-wicket. He has to move slightly to his right. The ball is heading for his chest. He cups his hands, in it goes and -- oops, out it pops.
"That was a sitter!" said one commentator, the former Aussie batsman Mike Haysman. "They don't come
too much easier," said the great South African all-rounder Mike Procter.
There were boos ringing out around the crowd. Dead silence in the middle. A smile from the centurion,
who had clearly already given up hope before relief came. It was a catch you and I could surely have
taken with our eyes closed ... well, perhaps that's what Lara did too.
Had you been cynical you might wonder what betting had gone on over the score Cullinan had to make.
But perish the thought (though people here are wondering about the extrordinary events in New Zealand
with Pakistan exactly reversing the first Test victory with a Third Test collapse: amazingly symmetrical and
good for the bookies?).
In any case, there's no sign that the West Indies - South Africa series is anything like a fix. Not long after
the Lara debacle Merv Dillion bent low to scoop up a return catch off an injudicious push by Cullinan. He
was out for 136, soon to be followed by dismissal of the talented left-hander Nicky Boje. He
showed why he has a Test average of more than 28, but his long innings ended on the stroke of lunch,
driving uppishly again at Dillon.
That may have made the meal a bit more palatable for Lara. But until he scores a century, there will
continue to be a nasty and bitter aftertaste for the double world-record-holder.
(Paul Martin is editor-in-chief of Sport Africa and Live Africa, and is the regular Southern Africa correspondent for Rediff.com)
Match report
Pollock century stuns West Indies
Mail Cricket Editor
