XtraTime Web Desk: One of the greatest cricketers of all time, Brain Lara celebrates his 51st birthday today (May 2, 2020). Regarded as one of the greatest left hand batsman, the Trinidadian has to his credit the highest runs scored in test ((400 not out for the West Indies against England in 2004) against England and first class (501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994) history.

10 lesser-known facts of Brian Charles Lara who celebrates his 51st birthday today:

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[caption id="attachment_88901" align="aligncenter" width="600"] A four-year-old boy Brian Lara's first feeling of a bat like object was a coconut branch given to him by his elder brother. He used to practice with pots placed as fielders during his childhood.[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88898" align="aligncenter" width="600"] A young Lara scored 745 runs at a schoolboys’ tournament averaging 126.16 per innings.[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88899" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Lara was selected for the Trinidad national under-16 team at the age of 14. He played in his first West Indian under-19 youth tournament at 15. He also had the distinction of leading Trinidad & Tobago at an age of only 20 years.[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88900" align="aligncenter" width="600"] His debut for the country was delayed due to the death of his father in 1989. His father died of heart attack.[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88891" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Lara named one of his two daughters ‘Sydney’ after his favorite cricket ground (Sydney Cricket Ground) where he came into prominence with a score of 277 against Australia in 1993. He later scored the highest test (400) and first-class (501) runs which are still intact.[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88892" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Ex-Manchester United star Dwight Yorke is one of Lara's closest friends. Their friendship grew when he was playing for Warwickshire while his compatriot was ay Aston Villa.[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88893" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Lara was involved in a long-term on-and-off relationship with Trinidadian journalist and model Leasel Rovedas.[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88894" align="aligncenter" width="600"] He also dated Durham County Cricket Club receptionist and British lingerie model Lynnsey Ward in 2000. In 2014, he was also in a relationship with Miss Scotland Jamey Bowers.[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88897" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Lara co-authored his autobiography, 'Beating the Field: My Own Story', with Brian Scovell.[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88903" align="aligncenter" width="600"] He established the charitable organization, Pearl and Bunty Lara Foundation, in memory of his parents.[/caption]