Brian Lara is known as one of the most elegant cricketers ever. He’s the only player to have scored two innings of over 350 runs in Test matches. Even the top bowlers struggled to get him out.
Lara played 131 Test matches for the West Indies. He scored 11,953 runs with an impressive average of 52.89. He hit 34 centuries and 48 half-centuries, and he scored more than 200 runs in 9 innings.
This article highlights his talent by examining 5 of his highest-scoring innings in Test cricket.
5. 221 vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, 2001
Sri Lanka invited West Indies for a 3-match series. Sri Lanka won the first two matches and took the series. In the third match, West Indies won the coin toss and chose to bat first. Chaminda Vaas quickly got rid of the first two West Indies batters. Brian Lara then made important partnerships with Ramnaresh Sarwan and Carl Hooper. Lara scored 221 runs from 354 balls, hitting 23 fours and 2 sixes, helping West Indies reach a total of 390 runs.
In reply, Sri Lanka played brilliantly and declared their innings at 627-9, thanks to Hashan Tilakaratne’s double-century. In the second innings, Brian Lara scored another century, but didn’t get enough help from his teammates. As a result, West Indies lost all three matches of the series.
Brian Lara and Chaminda Vaas were named Man of the Match for their great performances that pleased the crowd in Colombo.
4. 226 vs Australia, Adelaide, 2005
In 2005, the West Indies cricket team played a 3-Test series in Australia. They lost the first two Tests, so the third Test didn’t affect the series result. West Indies batted first after winning the toss. Brett Lee quickly got rid of the top three batsmen. Brian Lara then made a fantastic 226 runs off 298 balls, hitting 22 fours. No other West Indies player scored more than fifty runs, making Lara’s innings crucial. West Indies ended their first innings with 405 runs.
Australia responded with 425 runs, thanks to Michael Hussey’s unbeaten 133. In their second innings, West Indies struggled and were all out for 204 runs. Australia chased the target successfully and won the series 3-0.
3. 277 vs Australia, SCG, 1993
In 1993, Australia and the West Indies played a 5-Test cricket series. After the first two Tests, Australia was ahead 1-0. The West Indies needed to win the third Test to level the series. Australia won the toss and chose to bat first, scoring 503-9 with Steve Waugh making 100 runs.
The West Indies struggled early, losing their first two batsmen quickly and were at 31-2. Brian Lara then played an incredible innings with Richie Richardson, putting on 277 runs for the third wicket. Lara scored 277 runs, including his first century, and hit 38 fours. The West Indies finished their innings with 606 runs.
The match ended in a draw, and Lara was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance, which helped the West Indies avoid defeat. The West Indies went on to win the 4th and 5th Tests, clinching the series 2-1 with a remarkable comeback.
2. 375 vs England, Antigua, 1994
In 1994, West Indies and England played a five-game series. By the fourth game, West Indies had won three of the four matches. In the fifth Test, Walsh won the toss and chose to bat first. The West Indies lost two early wickets and were struggling at 12-2. Lara then stepped in and formed strong partnerships with other middle-order batsmen. He scored his first-ever 300 runs in a single innings.
Lara made 375 runs off 538 balls, hitting 45 fours. The West Indies declared their innings at 593-5 right after Lara was out. England scored 593 runs in their first innings, with Atherton and Smith each making a century.
The match ended in a draw. Lara was named Man of the Match for his incredible triple-century.
1. 400* vs England, Antigua, 2004
England visited the West Indies for a 4-Test series. England won the first three Tests and had already won the series, so the final Test was not important. In the fourth Test, the West Indies won the toss and chose to bat first. Chris Gayle scored 69 runs before getting out, and the other opener, Ganga, only managed 10 runs.
Then, Brian Lara took charge and made important partnerships with Sarwan and Jacobs, helping the West Indies reach a massive score of 751-5 before declaring. Lara and Sarwan added 232 runs for the third wicket, with Sarwan getting out for 90. Lara and Jacobs put together 282 runs for the sixth wicket. Lara ended unbeaten on 400 runs, with 43 fours and 4 sixes, becoming the first player to score 400 runs in a Test innings.
In their first innings, England were out for 285 runs. The West Indies asked England to bat again, and the match ended in a draw with England scoring 422-5 in their second innings. Lara was named Man of the Match for his record-breaking innings.
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