David Boon rates Brian Lara ahead of Sachin Tendulkar

Former Australia batsman, David Boon has rated former Brian Lara as a more talented batsman than ‘Master-Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar and feels the southpaw is more naturally gifted than the Indian star.

Known for his unique moustache, the Tasmanian has enjoyed a successful Test and ODI career with Australia during the late 80s and early 90s. He believes that T20 cricket has done a world of good for the game but feels every test-playing nation should be responsible enough to maintain the importance of Test matches.

Boon recently paid a visit to India in an ambassadorial role; he had a brief chat with the New Indian Express. When asked about his views on the most talented cricketer he has ever seen, he replied, “There are very few absolutely naturally talented players who are successful at the highest level. Most of them have the element of talent, but it is how they play the game and their desire to be as best as they possibly can that makes cricketers successful. If I had to pick one that was the most naturally gifted, that will be Lara.

“I know that is very harsh on Sachin Tendulkar. I admire him immensely as a player who was successful in all conditions and in all formats. He is someone who worked very hard on his game and became mentally very strong. I wouldn't put him in that 'pure naturally gifted package' but nonetheless, he is one of the best cricketers of the era,” he added.

Supportive of day/night Tests

The prospect of introducing two-tier Tests has drawn much attention in the past few weeks and the Aussie admits that the 5-day format should be given equal importance like ODIs and T20s and also expressed his support for day/night tests with the pink ball. “We need to look at changes to how Tests are played. I am very supportive of day-night Tests with pink balls (if that is the colour to go with). I think this will develop and reinvigorate people's interest as people can come in after work and watch cricket again,”

Having played 107 Tests for the ‘baggy greens’, Boon played a pivotal role in Australia’s top order having scored 21 centuries at an average of 43.65. He was quite successful in ODIs too and was even awarded the “Man of the Match” in the 1987 Cricket World Cup final against England at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Sharing his memories about that victory he said, “The final at Kolkata was unbelievable. It was the first time I was to Eden Garden in front of 100,000 plus crowd. I think this was the only time the Indians rooted for an Australian side perhaps because they did not like the British from the historical perspective.”