West Indies legend Brian Lara presented one of the bats used during his world record innings of 400 not out to Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali during a visit to the South American nation.
Lara smashed the world record for the highest individual Test score in April 2004 when he hit Test cricket’s first quadruple century at the Antigua Recreation Ground.
The Trinidad and Tobago star presented the bat to President Ali at State House.
President Ali thanked Lara for the gesture, saying the bat was an important piece of West Indies history.
“This is a great honour to receive from a legend of the world, a wonderful piece of his toolbox, which was yours to bring so much entertainment, so much joy and pride to all of us in the region,” he told Lara.
“Brian you are an extraordinary citizen and I am delighted that you would share such a piece of history, an important piece of what makes you who you are. We accept it with love.”
President Ali later held discussions on how the former West Indies captain could potentially lend support to developing Guyana’s blossoming sports tourism product through cricket.
“We look forward to partnering with you in our own development and our own story in cricket and in sports,” he said.
Lara thanked President Ali for the invitation to come to Guyana, and said he has had a wonderful stay in the country.
“What I see in Guyana today from my playing days is a totally different Guyana. I look forward to coming back in the future,” he said.
Lara also met with Guyana’s Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Charles Ransom Jr, during the visit.
The former West Indies captain amassed 11,953 Test runs and 10,405 ODI runs during his West Indies career.
In 1994, Lara scored 167 against England in Guyana, which served s a precursor to his 375 world record.
