West Indies legend Brian Lara recently entertained viewers on The Overlap with a charming tale about the night his Test record was eclipsed by Australia’s Matthew Hayden. In October 2003, Hayden launched a magnificent 380 in Perth, surpassing Lara’s 375 set in Antigua nine years earlier.

Brian Lara recounted how he was fast asleep in Jamaica when his agent called him from London late at night. “My lawyer said, ‘I have a number for you to call… someone just broke your record,’” he revealed. Instantly alert, Lara dialled Hayden’s private dressing room, stepping into a raucous celebration. He congratulated him amid the noise, and despite the shock, he admitted he’d felt the pressure during the nine years he held that record.

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The story doesn’t end there. Six months later, Brian Lara reclaimed cricket history with an unbeaten 400* against England in Antigua—a stunning display of guts and skill. In that innings, Lara exemplified his extraordinary stamina, scoring 131 balls for his century, 260 for the double, and reaching 400 in 404 balls before West Indies declared at 751/5.

This dramatic reversal made cricket history. Hayden’s 380 marked the first time in over 45 years that a non-West Indian held the Test record for the highest individual score. But Lara’s 400* in 2004 was a defining moment—not just for being the highest total, but because it regained the mantle emphatically.

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It’s a story of legacy, resilience, and sheer talent. Lara’s graciousness in celebrating with Hayden—then pushing himself to reclaim the record—speaks volumes about his character. Even today, it remains one of cricket’s most captivating chapters, a testament to Lara’s enduring spirit and the art of Test batting at its finest.