On April 12, 2004, at the Antigua Recreation Ground, Lara stepped out to bat against England in the fourth Test of the series. It was a crucial match for both sides, with the series tied at 1-1. England won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to make early inroads into the West Indies batting lineup.
However, Lara had other ideas. He started slowly, taking his time to get settled, but soon found his rhythm. He was given solid support by Ramnaresh Sarwan, who scored 90 in a 248-run partnership for the third wicket. Lara kept going, accumulating runs with ease and punishing any loose deliveries.
As he approached the 300-run mark, the crowd started to realize that something special was happening. Lara was already the holder of the highest individual score in Test cricket, having scored 375 against the same opponents in 1994. But this was something else entirely.
Lara’s innings was a masterclass in strokeplay. He mixed aggression with defense, playing each ball on its merit and never letting the pressure get to him. As he moved past 350, the tension in the ground was palpable. Could he do it? Could he become the first batsman to score 400 in a Test match?
The answer was a resounding yes. In the end, he finished on 400 not out, having batted for almost 13 hours and faced 582 deliveries. He had hit 43 fours and 4 sixes, and had broken the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket.
The innings was a testament to Lara’s skill, determination, and mental fortitude. It was a moment that will be remembered forever in the annals of cricketing history.
On this occasion, as we celebrate Brian Lara’s birthday, we are reminded of his incredible contribution to the sport of cricket. He is a true legend, and his 400 not out against England is just one of the many highlights of his illustrious career. Happy Birthday, Brian Lara, and thank you for the memories!