Lara 145;striked146; out

The loudest buzz surrounding Trinidad and Tobago here today was not about any of their footballers but about a certain Brian Charles Lara. The rumour was that he would come in a chartered flight to cheer the team. Journalists from the island nation even said he may be on a flight 8220;as we speak8221;. He wasn8217;t, though apparently it was not for lack of intent but something far more mundane: BWI, the airline that gives him free tickets, is on a strike at the moment. Lara grew up with Dwight Yorke and Russell Latapy and the three played football together. But when Lara was 13, his coach told him that he8217;d be a better cricketer than a footballer. He kept in touch with his friends, speaking on the phone today to Yorke, with whom he has a symbiotic relationship. They often watch each other8217;s matches and inspire to great performances. That8217;s what Lara wanted to do today. Maybe, Yorke will do the trick and inspire Lara to another century in the third Test. Maybe, but hopefully not!