Brian Lara talks about his third-day hundred
Wisden Cricinfo staff14-Dec-2003
Brian Lara powers towards his hundred
© AFP
Brian Lara: To get my first hundred against South Africa, away from home after 12 tests was very pleasing and the team needed it. The bowling was good but the pitch played very good. I struggled to get set but batting withGanga reminded me of batting with Jimmy Adams and had a very steadyinginfluence on me. Once set I am an attacking batsman and try as hard as I canto get as much as I can.When Peterson came on during the second-last over the field was all up and Iplayed every ball on its merit, the players were up and I went over the top.I did not know that 28 was a record and just did what I thought was right.Today you saw a different Brian Lara, From what I learnt from Jimmy [Adams]and Carl [Hooper] I have become a more determined player and a bettercaptain.I woke up early this morning and watched the Indians play against Australia.Australia and South Africa are teams that the rest of us want to do wellagainst and I took the impetus from Dravid, Laxman and Patel and playedtoday from their strength.Eric Simons: It was a hard day but I am really happy with the way we bowled, especially in the first and last session. It is two good teams and a good contest. On another day we could have bowled worse and come away in a better position. The Nel vs Lara contest was a good experience for the bowler bowling at one of the best batsmen in the world. He has picked up a lot of pace after some technical changes and losing some weight.