Castries, St.Lucia: West Indies captain Brian Lara lit up Beausejour stadium with a brilliant 209 against Sri Lanka as the rain-plagued first cricket test was drifting to a draw on the fifth day today. Lara, resuming on 93 after nearly two days were washed out, led the home team's first innings from 272 for four to 441 a lead of 87 when he sent a thick edge to wicketkeeper Romesh Kaluwitharana off pacer Prabath Nissanka.
Lara's 21st test century in 95 tests, and fifth ever double century, lasted 360 balls and 7 1/2 hours. His 24th boundary took him past 200. The next ball from off-spinner Thilan Samaraweera, Lara smoked over long on for six. His duel with Muttiah Muralitharan was the highlight of the final day, and the off-spinner had the early measure of Lara. Lara had added just one when he was mis-stumped by Kaluwitharana as he overbalanced trying to on-drive an off-break.

Muralitharan and Kaluwitharana soon teamed up successfully to claim Marlon Samuels for eight. Samuels was stumped as he dragged his back foot after missing a sweep.

Lara's ninth boundary, a cracking back-foot stroke through cover, pushed him past 100 in 222 balls and 293 minutes.

It was his fifth century in just seven tests against the Sri Lankans.

Ridley Jacobs lashed two fours in 13 off 24 balls to add 26 with his skipper, before Muralitharan claimed his fourth wicket. Jacobs was leg before playing across the line of a straighter delivery.

Bureau Report