Brian Lara: The Prince of Port of Spain – A Genius Beyond Numbers

Brian Lara is popularly nicknamed “The Prince of Port of Spain” or simply “The Prince”

Few names in world cricket evoke as much reverence as Brian Charles Lara, the elegant left-hander from Trinidad who redefined the art of batting. Nicknamed “The Prince of Port of Spain,” Lara wasn’t merely a run-maker — he was a storyteller whose every stroke shimmered with grace, rhythm, and imagination.

Brian Lara – Player Profile

Field	Details
Full Name	Brian Charles Lara
Nickname	The Prince of Port of Spain
Date of Birth	May 2, 1969
Birthplace	Santa Cruz, Trinidad and Tobago
Nationality	West Indian (Trinidad & Tobago)
Batting Style	Left-handed
Bowling Style	Right-arm leg break (occasional)
Role	Top-order Batter

Born on May 2, 1969, in Santa Cruz, Trinidad and Tobago, Lara grew up in a large, close-knit family that valued discipline and education. From backyard games with tennis balls to formal coaching at the Harvard Coaching Clinic, his extraordinary hand-eye coordination was apparent early. By his late teens, he was captaining the West Indies Under-19s and dominating domestic cricket for Trinidad and Tobago.

Lara’s international breakthrough came in the early 1990s, when his flowing drives and daring footwork caught the world’s eye. His monumental 277 against Australia in Sydney (1993) announced the arrival of a genius. What followed was an avalanche of records: the 375 against England in 1994, reclaiming the world’s highest Test score; the incredible 501 not out for Warwickshire the same year — still the highest first-class score in history; and the unprecedented 400 not out in 2004, which made him the only man to twice hold the world Test record.

International Career

Field	Details
Teams	West Indies (1990–2007)
Test Debut	December 6, 1990 vs Pakistan
Last Test	December 27, 2006 vs Pakistan
ODI Debut	November 9, 1990 vs Pakistan
Last ODI	April 21, 2007 vs England

Yet, beyond the numbers lay Lara’s aura — the audacity to dominate the best bowlers, the flair to turn pressure into poetry. His famous 153 against Australia in 1999* remains one of the finest match-winning innings ever played, a masterclass in courage and control.

• Record-Breaking: He holds the record for the highest individual score in a Test match, 400 not out, and the highest score in first-class cricket, 501 not out. 
• Cultural Icon: Lara is considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time and a cultural icon in the Caribbean and globally, inspiring countless young cricketers. 
• Brian Lara, Renowned for his ability to play marathon innings, Brian Lara first etched his name in history with a knock of 375 against England in 1994. It was a record that stood for a decade before Lara reclaimed it in 2004 with his unbeaten 400, still the highest individual score in Test cricket.

When Lara retired in 2007, he left with over 22,000 international runs and countless memories that transcended statistics. For fans across the Caribbean and beyond, he embodied artistry, resilience, and pride.

Career Statistics

Format	Matches	Runs	Average	100s / 50s	Highest Score
Tests	131	11,953	52.88	34 / 48	400*
ODIs	299	10,405	40.48	19 / 63	169
First-Class	261	22,156	51.88	65 / 88	501*
List A	429	14,602	42.15	26 / 82	169

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Major Records & Achievements

• Only player to hold the world record Test score twice: 375 (1994) and 400* (2004).
• Highest individual first-class score: 501 not out for Warwickshire vs Durham (1994).
• Wisden Cricketer of the Year (1995)
• BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year (1994)
• ICC Hall of Fame Inductee (2012)
• CEAT International Cricketer of the Year (1994–95)
• Scored one of the greatest Test innings of all time — 153 vs Australia* (Bridgetown, 1999).

To watch Brian Lara bat was to witness elegance under pressure — a reminder that cricket, at its purest, is not just about runs and records, but about beauty, rhythm, and genius beyond numbers.

Batting Style & Legacy

Brian Lara was renowned for his elegant stroke play, high backlift, and unmatched ability to dominate world-class bowlers with flair and precision. His innings combined artistry with mental toughness, often turning hopeless situations into triumphs.

A symbol of Caribbean pride and resilience, Lara’s name is etched among cricket’s immortals — not just for his records, but for the beauty and spirit with which he played the game.