Brian Lara: His Story, a new exhibition now open at Lord's

Brian Lara is a name instantly recognisable to all cricket fans. The most prolific run-scorer of his generation, he has dominated the imagination of the cricket world since scoring his maiden Test century – 277 against Australia at Sydney in 1990. He is the greatest run-scorer in the game’s history and the holder of the record highest scores in Test and first-class cricket. His record-breaking innings of 375, 400 and 501 are iconic moments in the history of the modern game and in 2006 he was recognised by his contemporaries as the greatest batsman in the world.

Yet Lara remains something of an enigma. These remarkable innings have all taken place during an era when West Indies cricket has been experiencing a marked decline. His run-scoring record underscores his genius – many of his highest innings being made in the face of defeat – but he has also experienced criticism for his captaincy of the side, as testified by his unique record of having been asked to captain West Indies on three separate occasions. Following in a noble line of West Indian batting captains from Headley, to Sobers and Richards the crown that Lara inherited carried with it great weight and even greater expectations. His retirement from the game in April 2007 provides a timely opportunity to evaluate Lara’s place in world cricket and his legacy for the game in the West Indies.

This summer, MCC will host an exhibition in the Museum at Lord’s celebrating the career of Brian Lara with themed displays that explore different aspects of Lara’s life both in and out of cricket. Visitors are invited to explore the highs and lows of his career and to consider his contribution to the game. The exhibition is set within the background of the history of cricket in the West Indies and various themes explore his childhood and early career, his inspirations and heroes, his spectacular batting achievements, his record as a captain and his thoughts on life after cricket.

Each section is illustrated with items of memorabilia from Brian Lara’s personal collection that have been brought from Lara’s home in Trinidad specially for this exhibition and which are being displayed to the public for the first time. These include items of personal kit and equipment including the bats with which he made his record-breaking innings of 375 and 400. Other exhibits include the jacket given to Lara by Nelson Mandela and the 1994 BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year Award. The exhibition is richly illustrated with photographs taken during his astonishing career and accompanied throughout by thoughts and personal recollections of Lara himself together with insights from his family, fellow cricketers, fans and the media.

The exhibition is open from 17th May to members of the public with match tickets (admission price to the MCC Museum is £3 adults/£1 concessions) or on non-cricket days via the Tour of Lords (for details please call 020 7616 8595).