Hall of Fame entry is humbling, says Lara

Colombo - West Indies batting great Brian Lara says it is an "humbling experience" to be selected for induction into the Hall of Fame alongside some of the world’s greatest cricketers.

Lara, who retired from international cricket five years ago, will be formally inducted at the ICC Awards ceremony Saturday.

“I think it’s a very humbling experience for me," Lara was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

“First of all, to be considered and then to be selected is a great moment."

The former West Indies captain will become the 67th male member of the Hall of Fame and will be inducted with England’s Enid Bakewell, the third woman to achieve such a milestone.

Lara was one of the West Indies' most prolific batsmen having represented the country in 131 Tests and 299 ODIs in a career that spanned 17 years.

He amassed some 11,953 runs at an average of 52.88.

“To be named alongside some of the great cricketers not just from the West Indies but from all around the world like Sir Garfield Sobers, the Three Ws, Sir Vivian Richards is a very special feeling,” Lara said.

He scored 34 Test centuries and 48 half-centuries while his best performance with the bat was against England in Antigua in 2004 when he scored 400 not out - still the highest by any Test batsmen in an individual innings.

Lara played 299 ODIs scoring 10,405 at an average of 40.48 that included 19 centuries and 63 half-centuries.

“I had quite a few special moments in my career. I think our 2-1 series win in Australia in 1993 under Richie Richardson was very special,” said Lara, the only batsman to have scored a hundred, a double century, a triple century, a quadruple century, and a quintoval century.

“Then obviously winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 2004 under my leadership was also a very special occasion."