Thirty years on David Tossell wrote the story of the 1976 West Indian summer. His account of “that session” is a modern classic and a fitting conclusion to Brian Close’s story.

Part 1 of this feature told Brian Close’s story up to the beginning of 1976. Part 2, through the writings of Alan Gibson, now looks back to May of that year.

With a short stature and nimble footwork he cut, drove, hooked and pulled, fast bowlers and spinners were both treated with disdain, everything about him had an aura, even his stance and for 17 years one name was synonymous with West Indian Cricket, Brian Charles Lara. He had people’s expectations reach a crescendo when he came out to bat and carried the hopes of a fragile team on decline for those 17 years. With a high-back lift and his peerless ability to pierce gaps in the field marked by sublime timing was indeed a sight to behold. It would be safe to say that cricket watching experience would not be complete until you have seen an innings by an in-form Brian Lara.

In a series of three features, with help from David Tossell and Alan Gibson, we look back on the life and times of that great character of English cricket, Brian Close.

From the year 2000 to 2010, Australian cricket fans have been more than just spoilt, they’ve been down-right ruined given the talent that represented their country in this decade.