Brian Lara

Biography

Brian Lara was the most elegant run-scorer of his generation, a left-handed magician who could dismantle any bowling attack on his day. His 400 not out against England in 2004 remains the highest individual score in Test cricket, while his 501 not out for Warwickshire stands as the supreme achievement in first-class history. But numbers alone cannot capture the silky fluidity of his cover drives or the devastating power of his pull shots. He carried the weight of West Indies cricket through its decline, often scoring runs while wickets tumbled at the other end. When Lara batted, time seemed to slow down; crowds held their breath as he painted masterpieces with his bat. His rivalries with Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath produced some of the greatest individual battles the sport has ever seen.

Career Highlights

• 400 not out - highest Test score ever
• 501 not out - highest first-class score
• 11,953 Test runs
• 10,405 ODI runs
• Carried West Indies cricket for a generation

Learn More