OTD in 2004: Brian Lara makes record individual Test score of 400* against England

Twenty years ago, on April 12, 2004, West Indian batting legend Brian Lara registered his name into the history books with an unforgettable innings that cemented his legacy as one of the all-time greats of Test cricket.

Playing against England in the fourth Test in Antigua, the mercurial left-hander produced a batting masterclass, scoring an unbeaten 400*, the highest individual score in a Test innings. In doing so, Lara reclaimed the record he had previously set a decade earlier with his 375 against the same opponents at the same venue.

Arriving at the crease with the West Indies in a spot of bother at 33/1, Lara proceeded to unleash a batting masterclass that left the England bowlers searching for answers. Combining timing, placement, and sheer power, he dismantled the opposition attack, finding the gaps with effortless ease and punishing any loose deliveries.

As the runs kept piling up, the crowd at the Antigua Recreation Ground roared in appreciation, witnessing a historic moment take place. Lara's marathon innings, which spanned almost 13 hours, featured 43 boundaries and four sixes.

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When the hosts finally declared the innings at 751/5, Lara had put his name in the record books, becoming the first player to score 400 runs in a single Test innings. The achievement was greeted with a standing ovation from the crowd and high praise from the opposition, with England captain Michael Vaughan hailing Lara as one of the all-time great players.

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Lara's monumental knock remains the highest individual score in Test cricket to date, a record that has stood the test of time. Although Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene came close with a 374 against South Africa in 2006, Lara's name continues to top the list.

Lara played his last Test match in 2006 and in his career, he scored 11953 in 131 Test matches, which included 34 centuries and 48 half-centuries