Rewind To 1994 - Brian Lara Surpasses Sir Garfield Sobers To Become The Highest Individual Scorer In Tests
He would hold the record till 2003, before reclaiming it in 2004.
April 18, 1994 was a day when one legend's record was broken by a man who would become a legend.
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Brian Lara went past Sir Garfield Sobers' record of 365 to finish off with the highest individual score in Test cricket. He achieved the feat against England in the 5th Test in St. John's, Antigua.
Lara slammed 375 in 538 balls. His 766-minute stay included 45 fours. He was a run-scoring machine who simply would not budge from the crease.
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Resuming on Day 3 on 320 not out, there was air of anticipation as to when he would go past Sobers. The great man himself was present at the ground.
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Then came the moment everyone was waiting for. A pull from Lara took him into the history books and what followed was a pitch invasion from the delirious crowd. Sobers himself came out to congratulate Lara and it was an occasion to savour. The English players were clapping as they knew they had witnessed something special.
Sobers had made 365 not out in 1958, a record he held for 36 years. Lara eventually fell for 375, a record he would hold till 2003 when Matthew Hayden made 380 against Zimbabwe.
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But the legend would take it back. A 400 not out against England in 2004 meant the highest individual Test score was back with Lara and he has held it till date.
Lara has gone on to play some great knocks, but certainly that day 23 years ago is a pivotal moment in the career of one of the best batsmen the world has even seen.
