Lara misses Sachin at Eden, to travel to Mumbai

Kolkata, Nov 9 (IANS) West Indies batting great Brian Lara flew all the way to Kolkata Saturday to watch friend Sachin Tendulkar‘s penultimate Test match at the Eden Gardens. But he arrived a day late, as the match ended in three days.

“I am disappointed. I hoped to see Sachin in action at Eden Gardens in his last match at the venue,” Lara said on his arrival in the city.

Lara was scheduled to watch the fourth and fifth days of play. However, the match ended Friday as the West Indies collapsed in their second knock to hand India an innings-and-51-run win.

“I never thought the match will end in three days. I am disappointed at West Indies’ performance,” said Lara, who would now travel to Mumbai to watch Tendulkar’s swansong Test.

Lara said he was hoping for five days of intense cicket.

“No individual is above cricket. But Sachin is different. The result in the two Test matches (at Kolkata and Mumbai) have receded to the background,” said Lara.

He said the West Indies needs to play positive cricket.

“I would love to see the West Indies fight for five days, and make it a memorable match for Sachin in Mumbai,” he said.