The difference between Lara and Tendulkar

By John Cheeran
Playing for the team, that's what Brian Lara does.
West Indies skipper says it is more important for his side to turn up the heat on Pakistan in the Multan Test than for him to push on for a triple century when the play resumes on Wednesday.
"I am not necessarily looking at a triple century...it is all about getting a couple more partnerships to put Pakistan under pressure," Lara said after finishing the third day unbeaten on 196.
"I don't look at my innings in a personal context. What matters is we are in a good position in this match and we try to finish it off well. If that happens it would add value to my runs." Multan is a batsman's paradise.
And sometimes even paradise witnesses pandemonium. And to recall the fuss Tendulkar created at the same ground in Multan during India's tour of 2003!
Skipper Dravid had declared India's innings with Tendulkar batting on 194. Dravid's move, it was said by some pundits, stemmed from Bangalorean's jealousy of the other grabbing one more double century.
Dravid was justified in the end, guiding India to their first Test triumph in Pakistan. Lara's job is now easier since he is now the skipper and the doer. And playing a run-ball innings (100 off 77 balls, 171 off 171 balls) none can accuse Lara that he is playing for himself without any care for a trailing side's interests.
Lara played several savage strokes and was particularly severe on Danish Kaneria, hammering the leg spinner for 26 in one over with three sixes and two fours. "I knew we needed to target someone with the second new ball coming up," said the 37-year-old left hander.
"But there was nothing going on in my mind facing him, I just watched the flight and concentrated playing through mid-on and mid-off."
Lara, the highest scorer in Tests, became the fifth batsman to score a century before lunch as he compiled his fourth hundred in four Tests against Pakistan. He smashed 100 from 77 balls with five sixes and 12 fours to bring up his 34th Test century. Only India's Sachin Tendulkar (35) has more.
"I am very enthusiastic every time I go out and I want to do well. I want to see West Indies do well and I have the energy and desire to carry on," said Lara.