B C Lara for President

There are few pleasures in life to equal that of watching Brian Charles Lara in full flow. Unless, of course, your team happens to be at the business end of Lara's bat, in which case there are few agonies to match.

This morning, against Pakistan, Lara made the ninth Test double hundred of his career: 216 off 262 balls; 29 boundaries (22 fours and 7 sixes). In so doing, he surpassed Sir Don Bradman's record of 18 150s and brought his total of Test runs to 11, 904. Surely, Lara will go on to become the first man to amass 12, 000 Test runs.

When he's in the zone, Lara exhibits superb technique, exquisite timing and balletic balance at the crease. And he scores so quickly he can take the game away from you before you even know what's hit you.

I've noticed that a number of my favourite sportsmen are left-handed or left-footed. Lara. McEnroe. And of course Maradona. The left-hand (or -foot) of genius, you might say.

B C Lara for President of the world.