Brian Lara says his match-saving knock in the second cricket Test helped him learn about aspects of his batting which he had not known existed while scoring his previous 31 centuries.
The 37-year-old West Indian captain said he had now learnt that he could bat for long periods without scoring a double ton and also how to slug it out when the team really needed him to.
"My batting is usually an attacking treat when I look to dominate. I would set up more victories than save a Test. Today was different. I learnt a lot about my batting," he said on his outstanding 120 which helped his team draw the Test against India on Wednesday.
"I'm not sure how much of this I have played in the past but I've realised I am capable of batting for long periods without scoring doubles and triples (tons). The amount of balls I faced today, I'd definitely be on 250 or something like that," he said at the post-match press conference.
"At no point of time was I or the team on top of the bowling. The innings that you really enjoy are ones you tough out. My 153 against Australia in 1999 was much better than my 375 or 500."
Lara, who came out to bat at number three on Monday evening, did not hide his disappointment at Ramnaresh Sarwan's inability to reproduce his domination of one-dayers in the Tests.
"Lot of guys feed off the number three batsman and that's where I'd like to see Sarwan do a lot more. He did pretty well in the shorter version but it is more pivotal position in any team. Number three is not just the best batsman in the team but he also sends a message to the guys who are going out to bat. This position should be grabbed by the individual who can send a message to the team."
Exlaining his coming up the order at number three, Lara said: "I came out to bat at number three because you don't want to be two down after the first 5 or 10 overs. Also the fast bowlers could get the ball to nip back to the right-handers and I thought a left-hander would be the best man to handle it."
Lara also detailed the team-work his batsmen showed in the middle, shielding the men from the bowlers they were not very comfortable against.
"Early on Chanderpaul was taking on Pathan and Kumble at some point of time. I did the same to Dwayne Bravo against Sehwag. It is a bit of team work. It's not that anybody is shy of facing anyone. But we were caught in a situation where we had to survive. The best way to do it is to ensure that the guys are comfortable, batting against bowlers they are confident about.
"It wasn't about the runs today. Come the next Test, Bravo could be jumping down the wicket to Sehwag and hit him over the top."
Lara expressed his disappointment at the kind of pitches that have been dished out in the series so far and made a subtle call for more life in the strips for the remaining two Tests.
"I would say nine days of cricket and the only time we were in front was when we got a true Test pitch (on the first day in Antigua). When the fast bowlers had a say on the first couple of days and the spinners took care late in the match.
"I would love to see St. Kitts and Jamaica show that they are capable of producing fair pitches. Nothing terrible for Test cricket, too green or anything but we need good Test cricket.
"This particular match, after the first two days, was difficult for us to do anything. The pitch was already dusting when spinners came on. It didn't spin or bounce but it was tough to score.
"But we are very buoyant after this result and we're looking forward to the next 10 days of Test cricket."
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