Neil Manthorp and Dileep Premachandran in Johannesburg and Adelaide
Monday December 15, 2003
The Guardian

Brian Lara confirmed his return to top form with an explosion of hitting that earned him another world record during an unbeaten 178 on the third day of the opening Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.

He smashed 28 runs from the penultimate over of the day, bowled by the left-arm spinner Robin Peterson. It was the most expensive over in 127 years of Tests, surpassing the 26 that New Zealand's Craig McMillan took off Pakistan's Younis Khan at Hamilton in 2001.

The match situation made Lara's feat all the more remarkable. Replying to the home side's daunting 561, West Indies were in real danger of following-on with 29 runs still needed and tailender Mervyn Dillon at the other end.

Lara hammered the first ball for four and the next two for six. South Africa called his bluff and kept the field up. The next two deliveries were despatched over the bowler's head for four and final one cut past gully to the third man boundary.

Two runs from the final over saved the follow-on and, probably, the Test.

"I watched [Rahul] Dravid and [VVS] Laxman fighting back for India against Australia in Adelaide this morning on television," Lara said. "They are playing the best team in the world and we are playing the second best, so I used some of their strength out there today."

"After every ball we thought 'He won't try it again'," said a befuddled Peterson. "But he did. Hopefully I'll learn something from it and become a better cricketer for it."

In Adelaide Dravid, who ended the third day of the second Test unconquered on 199, and Laxman - who crafted a gorgeous 148 before nicking one behind to Adam Gilchrist - had delved into the memory bank and emerged with a replay of their Eden Gardens heroics in 2001.

Then, their 376-run stand, made after India followed-on, changed the course of the series and halted the Steve Waugh juggernaut at 16 Test victories. Yesterday they took their partnership to 303 and finished defiant - just 79 behind Australia.

"Being in such a long partnership brought back some very pleasant memories," said Dravid. "We've batted a lot together over the years so that helps, and we knew we'd done it once earlier."

Both batsmen were cautious in the opening exchanges but after lunch moved up a gear - with great care. "We were trying not to think about Eden Gardens," said Laxman afterwards, "and just play each ball on its merits."

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/cricket/story/0,10069,1107257,00.html