Caption Contest: When Obama Met Lara

Thursday, 23rd April 2009

Brian Lara gives President Barack Obama a lesson, during last week's Summit of the Americas in Trinidad. Photo: White House photo by Pete Souza.

Kridaya rounds up some of the cricketsphere's reaction to the President's meeting with the Prince of Trinidad. Obama is said to have been delighted by his encounter with "the Michael Jordan" of cricket. While well-intentioned - and doubtless popular in Trinidad - this won't, as you know, quite do.

Technically, there are clearly some issues with elbow flex and, vitally, weight transference. Obama looks as though he's going to be attempting a front-foot drive while keeping his weight on his back leg. This ensures his head won't be over his right knee and the ball. That's not so good and likely to end in disaster. Ugly disaster at that. Also, Obama's grip and pick-up make leaves one suspecting that he's going to have difficulty playing straight and, like many folk schooled in baseball, will favour pulling the ball to leg in a series of agricultural heaves. Still, it's only lesson one...

Anyway, readers are invited to submit their own captions for this photograph...

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Mr Eugenides

April 23rd, 2009 12:00pm Report this comment

"Quick, Brian, let's get a couple of overs in before Guido Fawkes' commenters arive!"

nadezhda

April 23rd, 2009 12:07pm Report this comment

Hee! I saw that photo and thought of you, Alex. I must say that Pete Souza is an inspired "back-stage" chronicler for Obama. This photo, and the one of O and Bo trotting down the White House hall, are especially good.

You're absolutely right about the weight shift. It's the same problem that plagues the round-ballers when they try to take up golf. Some eventually learn it, but it's rarely "natural". Which has always puzzled me, because these guys have such remarkable control over their ever-shifting balance when on the basketball court.

London Calling

April 23rd, 2009 12:38pm Report this comment

Barack

OK Brian I'm ready now ...On the count of three drop the mouse.:0

DB

April 23rd, 2009 4:31pm Report this comment

Lara: Your stance is wrong - don't stick your backside out so much.

Obama: It's difficult not to - Alex Massie's stuck up there.

tommyt

April 24th, 2009 5:16am Report this comment

looks a fair enough stance for a square cut - the hardest shot there is

Mark J. B. Bowen

April 25th, 2009 12:34am Report this comment

Lara : Mr. President the Global Economic crisis has left us lacking in basic resources, I don't even have a bat.

Obama: Don't worry Brian, you're the Michael Jordan of Cricket so I'll go to bat for you.

Mika

April 26th, 2009 5:36am Report this comment

I am very happy to see them togather. Both of them are my favourite.It's an amazing picture.Thanks for publishing it.

faizan

April 26th, 2009 10:42am Report this comment

Obama is about to play a sweep shot against a leg spinner like Shane Warne. But the ball might bounce surprizingly and hurt our Dear president, as he is not wearing a helmet!!!

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