They play for points and superiority

For feisty wicketkeeper O’Brien, who has just signed for humble Northants in the English county championship, that’s incentive enough to lock horns once again with superstar Lara.

Back in 2004 the two men had a vociferous fall-out in a one-dayer at Stormont in Northern Ireland when the teams shared a two-match series. O’Brien was angered by the West Indian’s unwillingness to walk after an apparent edge.

But he had the consolation of making 58 to see his side shock their illustrious visitors. “Lara was funny,” recalls O’Brien. “We had that disagreement at Stormont and then two days later I turned up to play against him for (former county) Kent. I don’t think he could believe his eyes. “I think he’d seen enough of me. I talked to (West Indies team-mate) Dwayne Bravo recently and he said ‘Brian said to say hello’. I’m looking forward to seeing him in Jamaica.”

O’Brien, who has brother Kevin for company in the team, insists he will use his tough approach to the sport to try and help his side progress even further.