IN an article on Brian Lara -- dated Sunday June 12, 1994 in this newspaper, your’s truly wrote -- “From this cricket writer’s analysis, observation and assessment, should our star continue to shine on the centre stage of international cricket over the coming years, from my vantage point, he could eclipse the world record tally for runs -- Allan Border’s (11,174) and centuries -- Sunil Gavaskar’s (34).”

In his weighty autobiography: “Out of my comfort zone -- former Australian captain Steve Waugh, describes ‘Sir’ Brian Charles Lara, as: charming, vulnerable, endearing, moody and impossible to work out at times and yet endlessly fascinating.”

In an interview in Kolkata (Calcutta) good friend and secret rival/admirer, maestro Sachin Tendulkar, recently stated: “If I can think of one player most deserving of attaining the highest Test run aggregate in the world -- that player is Brian (Lara)”.

Even Australian leg-spin “Shehzada” (king) -- Shane Warne has heaped kudos upon kudos on B.C. Lara.

“To me he is probably the most destructive player in my 15 years in cricket that I’ve played against,” he opined.

After a few dubious umpiring decisions, which resulted in low scores by his lofty standards, the whole world joined in celebrating master batsman Brian Lara’s attainment of the highest-run-aggregate in Test history (1877-2006).

I am certain even crooked, vindictive, callous, mis-fit, un-schooled “White supremacists” commentator, dead-beat Kerry O’Keefe (under-achiever at best), must be silently applauding the feat, coming on the heels of his open statements and views/opinion on Brian Lara.

Mind you, this is not a jingoistic view -- the whole world laments the terrible umpiring decisions that B.C. Lara -- more than even Sachin Tendulkar (another targetted batsman) -- has had to endure throughout his glistening international career, moreso in Australia.

On a more positive footing, Brian Lara’s most recent world record achievement means it is the second time a West Indian has held the highest Test run-aggregate -- G.S. Sobers was the first to attain 8,000 runs at Test match level.

During his magnificent display at Adelaide, Lara achieved the following: Second most double centuries in Tests (8); 1,000 runs in a calendar Test year for the fifth time -- equalling Matthew Hayden’s mark.

In scoring his 31st ton -- he achieved joint with ex-captain Richie Richardson, most centuries against Australia by a West Indian (9).

And equalled Sir Don Bradman’s record for most innings in Test cricket over 150 - (18).

Following is Lara’s 31 100s and his Test/ODI record to 2006.

He is also only the second batsman to score 50 International centuries.