'It's a mental battle' - Brian Lara shares insights on playing against 90+ mph bowling

In the recent Australia vs. West Indies Test match at the Adelaide Oval, the Windies may have struggled against the formidable pace trio of Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood, but Brian Lara, the cricket legend, showcased that he still possesses the magic that made him a batting maestro.

The West Indies team faced a challenging time in the first Test, succumbing to Australia's pace attack and eventually losing the match within three days. Captain Pat Cummins and Hazlewood, along with Starc, left the Windies batting line-up in disarray.

However, amidst this struggle, Brian Lara, now a part of the Fox Cricket commentary team, took centre stage in a specialized nets session designed to replicate the relentless pace of the Australian bowlers. The 54-year-old demonstrated his prowess by elegantly playing cover drives, proving that he remains a force to be reckoned with, even against deliveries clocking nearly 90 mph.

Lara shared insights into his approach, stating, “What I do a little bit of is premeditated. So I would premeditate the next delivery, what I think he is going to deliver. If he doesn’t, it doesn’t mean that I am going to play a drive to a short ball. I’ll just adjust myself.

“But if I am reading the bowler, reading what he is coming with, I am doing a bit of premeditating. So if that half volley comes at 90 miles an hour, I am still getting into position quickly," he added.

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Reflecting on the mental aspect of facing top-notch pacers, Lara described it as a "mental war." Drawing from his illustrious career, where he faced the likes of Walsh, Ambrose, Akram, Younis, and others, he emphasised the importance of understanding the bowler's strategy and predicting their next move.

“I think it’s a mental war, and you can tell what a guy’s going to do with the ball in his hand. If there’s a Brett Lee bowling, you know there’s going to be a couple of short balls. He’s going to come searching for gold. So I think it’s that mental battle and understanding and trying to predict what he’s thinking of, is important to me.

“I find it very difficult to just play each ball in its merit. You will eventually do that, but I think when you’re playing against world-class bowlers, a Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, you tend to know what these guys are trying to do to set you up,” concluded Lara.