Brian Lara has named Shane Warne as the favourite bowler he faced during his career.

One of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket, Lara has revealed via his Reddit AMA that the bowler he most enjoyed facing was one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history, Aussie leggie Warne.

‘Shane Warne, he played for the best team in the world during my era, he was, and still is, regarded as the best leg-spinner to play the game. It was a battle I just embraced in some of the largest cricketing arenas!’ wrote the West Indian legend.

Lara wasn’t able to confirm who he believed was the best spin bowler, with Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan jostling for position in Lara’s mind.

‘Muttiah always confused me in the early part of our confrontation, whilst Shane Warne didn’t. Having said that, as my innings grew I felt I had more control over Muttiah, whilst Shane seemed to grow in confidence. They were definitely the two best spinners of my time!’ Lara wrote of Warne and Muralitharan, the latter holding the record for most career Test wickets (800).

Lara also opened up about his pre-inning preparations and state of mind.

‘Any nerves were only before I walked out to bat. That 22-yard battlefield isn’t somewhere you want to lose your composure! Preparation wasn’t any more intense than what you have to put in for any great bowler. I always assess my opposition before taking the field,’ he added.

Photo: William West/AFP/Getty Images