Random Cricket Photos Post 71



#RandomCricketPhotosThatMakeMeHappy

In 1994, Brian Lara was playing in England like a man possessed. In his first seven first-class innings for Warwickshire his scores read: 147, 106, 120 not out, 136, 26, 140, 501 not out. This was after he had struck a world record 375* at home against the English bowlers. Quite naturally, his fandom in England grew in numbers. People thronged to county matches to watch him bat. And soon, Lara was signing a lot of autographs. Somehow, he didn't sign one when his team played Glamorgan at Swansea.

A couple of years later, a rampaging West Indian team were brought down to earth in the 1996 World Cup when Kenya made them eat the humble pie. The wrecker-in-chief was Maurice Odumbe, the man who Lara had apparently refused the autograph in Swansea in 1994. Odumbe deflated West Indies' chase of 166 with a 3-wicket-haul to shoot them out for 93. Lara himself got out edging one to wicket-keeper Tariq Iqbal, a man who looked every bit uncomfortable donning the wicket-keeper's gloves.

This was massive for a team who were given red balls painted white when the players asked for white balls to train in the weeks leading up to the tournament.

The story goes that after the win, Odumbe went up to Lara in the changing room and handed him his autograph. "I asked for your autograph and you wouldn't give it. Now I am saying you can have mine."

Lessons in humility can come from anywhere.

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