For the love of cricket

[AS PUBLISHED IN MALAY MAIL AFTERNOON]

MISSION

Get kids of Malaysia playing cricket. 

Step one

Install new facilities at Epsom College, Negri Sembilan. 

Step two

Organise fixture among students and teachers. 

Special guest?

AirAsia founder Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, chairman of school's governors board. 

Step three

Bring in a world class legend of the game to open the pitch. 

Nice idea, but no one would come all the way to Malaysia just to open a cricket pitch … 

Wrong. 

Try one Brian Lara. 

Who? 

We’ll let his record speak for itself.

1994

> Broke world record for highest test score when he hit 375 against England in Antigua, surpassing Garry Sobers’ 365 in 1958. 

> Same year, scored 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham — highest score in first-class cricket. 

2004

> Eclipsed his best at international level scoring 400 not out against England, again. 

> Trinidadian is one of the greatest batsmen of all time. 

He told Malay Mail Afternoon:

> Encouraging to see kids getting involved with cricket at Epsom.

> Hopes more schools can take step of getting students to play.

It’s a game that if you start from young, it’s impossible not to like it. -- LARA

Top facilities key to getting youngsters playing, says Lara.

Saturday marked opening of new Epsom pitch:

> Kids and teams benefit from playing on a strip maintained and looked after. 

Saturday’s festival of cricket:

> Saw early morning fixture between local outfit Pangolin CC.

> Side is mixture of Malaysians, expats and youngsters aged 12 and up. 

Then the main show:

> Lara against Epsom staff and students.

> Batted with Fernandes. 

What a partnership! 

Pair:

> Whacked it around the ground giving spectators plenty to cheer about. 

Howzat!

Lara was eventually run out at the non-striker’s end.

Lara reflected:

> Last ever batting appearance for West Indies was a run out at the non-striker’s end against England in repeat circumstances. 

Therefore:

> Joked it was most likely last time he'll bat for Epsom, too.

 

Lara is friends with Sticky Wicket proprietor Abbi Kanthasamy.

> Malaysia’s first cricket-themed pub in Plaza Damansara a rave with fans.

> Awarded Best Spirit of Cricket Initiative by Malaysian Cricket Association in April.

> Walls coated in cricket memorabilia from famous players. 

On his arrival …

> Lara, who has previously visited the bar, was given his own cocktail for the occasion. 

He said:

> Establishment also aids promotion of game among locals. 

“It’s great for a place that is not really cricket orientated, to have a venue to attract people,” he said.

You’ve got cricket on the screen and people will watch to try and understand the game. To have something like that in Malaysia and for Abbi to put it on is special. --  LARA

http://epaper.mmail.com.my/2017/07/03/for-the-love-of-cricket-3/