On this day in 1994: Brian Lara smashes 375, the then highest score in Tests

Brian Charles Lara is one of the finest batters to have played the game at the highest level. He was one of the pioneers of West Indies cricket who made the game interesting in the Caribbean once again after leading them to an ICC Champions Trophy triumph in 2004.

‘The Prince of Trinidad’ became the first and only player to register 400 runs in 2004 which remains the highest individual Test score to date. 10 years prior to making that world record, Lara had smashed a massive 375, the then highest individual score in the history of the game’s longest format.

When Brian Lara single-handedly made a statement

West Indies faced England in the fifth Test at Antigua between April 16-21, 1994. The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first. They were in trouble immediately after being reduced to 12/2. A young and energetic Brian Lara then took matters into his own hands and ensured that the battle was between him and England.

Rightly so as even though the southpaw was involved in a 179-run stand with Jimmy Adams (59) and 183 runs along with Keith Arthurton (47) for the third and fourth wicket respectively, it was Lara who did all the scoring as the English bowlers failed to rediscover their rhythm.

The batting legend continued toying around with the bowlers single-handedly and scored the bulk of runs in the 219-run fifth-wicket stand with Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Lara’s bravery and grit ensured that he got to his triple century but he was just not done yet.

The then 24-year-old kept on going and in no time surpassed the legendary batter as well as his countryman Gary Sobers’ highest Test score of 365. Lara looked invincible and it appeared that he was invincible at that point in time.

Unfortunately for him and the passionate viewers, the outstanding innings came to an end when he was dismissed by pacer Andrew Caddick for 375 from 538 deliveries, which included 45 fours. He batted for a whopping 766 minutes for his knock.

The match ended in a stalemate, however, Lara was adjudged the Player of the Match. The record would be broken by the destructive Australian opener Matthew Hayden who scored 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003 before Lara regained his title of being the highest individual run-scorer in the traditional format a few months later with an unbeaten 400 against England.