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"I am not interested in whatever Brian Lara says" : Michael Holding

Abdullah719

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Former West Indies captain Brian Lara was a delight to watch when in full flow. The highest run-getter in Tests for the West Indies was a class apart as people from far and wide used to throng the stadiums just to watch him bat. The style and finesse the left-hander had, no other cricketer possessed in his generation. The 48-year-old turned back the clock but this time with the microphone while delivering the 2017 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture at the Lord's cricket ground. Lara spoke at length about a lot of incidents and also went on to criticize Michael Holding for his conduct during West Indies' 1980 tour of New Zealand.

Legendary fast bowler Holding shot back at Lara and dismissed his criticism of his conduct during West Indies' 1980 tour of New Zealand, saying he has "never been interested" in the batting great's opinions. "I am not interested in whatever Brian Lara says. Never was, never will be," that was Holding's blunt response when PTI asked him to comment on what Lara said against the 63-year-old while delivering the lecture last Monday.

It is well-known that both the West Indies' greats, Lara and Holding are not the best of friends.

During the MCC lecture, Lara spoke about he was "embarrassed" by the unsportsmanlike conduct of the West Indies in the 80s and 90s.

He specifically spoke about an incident that took place during the series against New Zealand in 1980, when Holding kicked the stumps in frustration.

"Michael Holding decided he was no longer a cricketer, he was a footballer and he kicked a stump. I am sure the occurrences during that period had a big effect on cricket," said Lara at Lord's.

While Lara took the opportunity to slam Holding yesterday, the "whispering death" has accused the legendary batsman of "getting away with murder" during his reign.

Holding, speaking to PTI over the phone from London, also spoke about the much-hyped comparison of Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, especially after the latter completed 30 ODI hundreds in the just concluded series against Sri Lanka.

"There is a long long way to go (before he gets close to Tendulkar's record) but he is certainly a great batsman," said Holding.

Asked if Kohli is a better batsman compared to Tendulkar or vice-versa, the Jamaican added: "Well, I don't like comparisons."

Though Kohli himself has said he is not chasing Tendulkar's mind-boggling 100 international hundreds, the 28-year-old already has 47 centuries to his name.

India have an envious Test record under Kohli with the team winning recently winning its eighth series in a row, albeit most of them were won in the sub-continent.

Holding said time will only tell if the current Indian team can win outside the sub-continent. The team has tough tours of England and South Africa lined-up next year.

"I don't know. They have to do it to prove it. The proof of the cake is in the eating. So we will just have to wait and see what they do (outside the sub-continent). You can't predict these things," Holding said.

https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/mic...says-never-interested-in-what-he-says-1746880
 
Holding's dislike for Lara really bursting out there! Possible that even for a laid back side like the Windies, Lara was a bit too relaxed!
 
Kicking the stumps was disgraceful no matter what the situation is.

Holding not acknowledging his mistake.
 
It's a well known fact Holding has never been a fan of Lara on personal level. You can refer to his older interviews even 4-5 years back
 
What's with that talk of murder though? Haven't heard that one before. Does anyone know anything about it?

I know Chandrapaul supposedly shot a guy once..
 
What's with that talk of murder though? Haven't heard that one before. Does anyone know anything about it?

I know Chandrapaul supposedly shot a guy once..

It's a figure of speech, don't think hehe means an actual murder
 
Holding has never been a fan of Brian Lara as a person. He once famously called Lara a 'spoilt brat'. And he even said that Lara's retirement came too late. But he has always appreciated Lara's talent though.
 
Why is he commenting on him if he is not interested? He sound like some Indian here on PP!
 
Kicking the stumps was disgraceful no matter what the situation is.

Holding not acknowledging his mistake.

Holding has actually acknowledged the event. That he is not proud of doing that but the act itself played a small part in eventually bringing in neutral umpires.

Not quite an apology, but an interesting counterpoint to Lara's criticism.
 
It's such common knowledge that it no longer seems relevant.

Lara isn't the best orator, but it was still interesting to listen to the speech. Wasn't entirely convinced that WI's cheating and violent responses to umpiring were significantly worse than any other team in that period, but I can't dismiss that easily.

At the same time, Lara should've acknowledged how he didn't exactly help WI cricket in how he conducted himself as player and captain. Still, I don't think it's a big deal he didn't.

Many of us are just left with memories of seeing him bat, not his personal shortcomings as a sportsman.
 
Why is he commenting on him if he is not interested? He sound like some Indian here on PP!

Because Lara spoke about him yesterday during a lecture and then Holding was asked about it in an interview? He is expressing his disdain for his views. No comment would have been a defensive response.
 
Kicking the stumps was disgraceful no matter what the situation is.

Holding not acknowledging his mistake.

Umpiring was really bad everywhere those days but cricket was exciting, less disciplinary restrictions on players , too many now-a-days, its killing cricket.
 
These two are always bickering. When Lara named his first child Sydney after making his first test hundred in Sydney, Holding remarked dryly "its a good thing he hadn't made the century in Lahore".
 
A lot of cricketers who I have spoken with don't have much respect for Lara away from the cricket field.

I met him at a charity event a couple of years ago and he was a bit of an idiot actually. Later in the evening he was acting in a very cheap manner with some of the hostesses of the event......but I will leave that for the autobiography :)
 
Because Lara spoke about him yesterday during a lecture and then Holding was asked about it in an interview? He is expressing his disdain for his views. No comment would have been a defensive response.

What did Lara say about him? Holding over the years has only spoken well about him.
 
Lara seems like he doesn't get along with very many people.

But it's quite a trend in cricket. Quite a few of the biggest names seem to be polarizing figures, if anything I think it adds to their persona. Botham is another one.
 
What did Lara say about him? Holding over the years has only spoken well about him.

It's right there in the OP...

It is well-known that both the West Indies' greats, Lara and Holding are not the best of friends.

During the MCC lecture, Lara spoke about he was "embarrassed" by the unsportsmanlike conduct of the West Indies in the 80s and 90s.

He specifically spoke about an incident that took place during the series against New Zealand in 1980, when Holding kicked the stumps in frustration.

"Michael Holding decided he was no longer a cricketer, he was a footballer and he kicked a stump. I am sure the occurrences during that period had a big effect on cricket," said Lara at Lord's.

While Lara took the opportunity to slam Holding yesterday, the "whispering death" has accused the legendary batsman of "getting away with murder" during his reign.
 
Lara was a brilliant player but his childish/ amateurish behaviour once he hit the big time damaged Windies cricket so badly that its negative legacy lives to this day.
 
Holding was one of the greatest fast bowlers Windies (and the world) have seen, and Lara's comments were unprovoked and uncalled for. There was no need for him to make personal remarks at such a prestigious event, especially given there is history between the two.
 
Holding's dislike for Lara really bursting out there! Possible that even for a laid back side like the Windies, Lara was a bit too relaxed!

I've read stories of Lara being anything but relaxed when it came to his teammates, there isn't much love lost between him and a lot of guys he played with.
 
Holding's dislike for Lara really bursting out there! Possible that even for a laid back side like the Windies, Lara was a bit too relaxed!

Relax Relax mein 11k test runs maar diye bhaijaan.

Thank the gods he was relaxed.
 
A lot of cricketers who I have spoken with don't have much respect for Lara away from the cricket field.

I met him at a charity event a couple of years ago and he was a bit of an idiot actually. Later in the evening he was acting in a very cheap manner with some of the hostesses of the event......but I will leave that for the autobiography :)

When is your autobiography coming out?
 
Cricket fans are the most boring and obsolete in the world. They overreact on a guy kicking the stumps. Guys,its been almost forty years since that incident, leave it alone. You do know that human beings can show emotions right? No wonder cricket is dying because you have to be a monotone robotic " gentleman " to enjoy watching it.
 
The way some people are going on about it you'd think Holding kicked the stump up, caught it and then drove it through an opponents heart.
 
He isn't wrong here tbh. What Holding did was disgraceful. I have also read about Holding whining on the field for 5-10 minutes in the middle of the game when umpiring decisions didn't go his way in Australia.

Right now he sounds like a voice of reason as a commentator but back in the day he was no saint.
 
He isn't wrong here tbh. What Holding did was disgraceful. I have also read about Holding whining on the field for 5-10 minutes in the middle of the game when umpiring decisions didn't go his way in Australia.

Right now he sounds like a voice of reason as a commentator but back in the day he was no saint.

Which cricketer doesn't have any indiscretions to their name ? In a game played by red blooded men, when so much physical and mental effort is being invested then emotions will run high. These people are human beings not robots.

The umpiring in that 1980 series was disgraceful and I'm not surprised Holding lost his cool but he did apologise. As for the other incident you're referring to in Australia in 75-76 - Windies were taking a hammering but Holding had a plumb LBW turned down. He apparently knelt and broke down, not exactly a crime.
 
I've read stories of Lara being anything but relaxed when it came to his teammates, there isn't much love lost between him and a lot of guys he played with.

Yes and he was hated when he was captain.

He was aloof and by all accounts did not have much time for his team mates.
 
Yes and he was hated when he was captain.

He was aloof and by all accounts did not have much time for his team mates.

Looks like the only thing he had as a sportsman was pure God given natural talent. Have heard so many things about him not being a likable or respectable character.
 
These two are always bickering. When Lara named his first child Sydney after making his first test hundred in Sydney, Holding remarked dryly "its a good thing he hadn't made the century in Lahore".

Not in good taste, but still quite funny!
 
Kicking the stumps was disgraceful no matter what the situation is.

Holding not acknowledging his mistake.

It was a reaction to sustained partisan or at best incompetent home umpiring in NZ. Croft shoulder-charged an ump in the same match IIRC.
 
A lot of cricketers who I have spoken with don't have much respect for Lara away from the cricket field.

I met him at a charity event a couple of years ago and he was a bit of an idiot actually. Later in the evening he was acting in a very cheap manner with some of the hostesses of the event......but I will leave that for the autobiography :)
[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] - This is specially for you. It's been 5 years, when will your book be released?
 
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If Holding were to make a list of his dream 11, then it would have his name repeated 11 times. Such is his love for himself and dislike for most other greats, and that's why you will always see him praising mediocre players as that makes him look better.
 
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