Greatest West Indies ODI XI of all time

#4 Brian Lara

Lara’s batting was a joy to watch

In an era when the West Indies descended swiftly from being a world-beating side to weaklings, Brian Lara remained the brightest hope for Caribbean cricket. Like a Hercules, he carried the entire burden of the team's batting on his broad shoulders.

Lara's heroic lone-ranger feats while the rest of the batting line-up falling like nine pins will remain etched forever in the minds of West Indies fans. Throughout the 1990s, he was to West Indies cricket more than what Sachin Tendulkar was to India.

(Video Courtesy: saghir ahmed kalwar YouTube channel)

Considering the dearth of top-notch batsmen in the current West Indies line-up, Lara's tally of 10,405 ODI runs, which is the highest for any West Indian, is unlikely to be bettered for generations. The way he often dominated the Australian bowling attack, the strongest of his time, is a testament to his batting greatness.

The 'Prince of Trinidad' could murder world-class bowling attacks without ever appearing to lose even an iota of elegance his batting is so famous for. Lara's choice is the easiest to make after Vivian Richards' and he will occupy the No. 4 slot in our side.