OTD | Brian Lara created history when hit a record-breaking 400 in 2004

On this day in 2004, former West Indies skipper and the Prince of Trinidad, Brian Lara became the first player to score a quadruple hundred in international cricket. He broke former Australia opener, Matthew Hayden’s record of 380 against Zimbabwe. Lara scored his 400 against England in Antigua, the home of Sir Issac Vivian Alexandar Richards. Ahead of the historic fourth Test, the home side had already lost the series 3-0.

In the last game of the series, the Caribbeans batted first after winning the toss. While some other batters such as Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ridley Jacobs, and Chris Gayle made some notable contributions, the highlight of the innings was Lara’s 400 not out. After playing 582 balls, he hit 43 fours and four sixes. Thanks to him and others, the team declared the innings at 751/5 right after Lara reached the milestone on Day Three.

Six months before this (April 2004), Matthew Hayden scored 380 against Zimbabwe. About the Antigua game, another West Indies legend, Andy Roberts couldn’t even bear watching his side he played for once, get clean sweeped against England at home. The two-time World Cup winner for the Caribbeans decided to dish out a benign (flat) surface. 

At the end of the first day, he was batting on 86, followed by an unbeaten 313 at the end of the second day. On a historic day while batting on 373, the Champions Trophy 2004 winning captain survived a caught-behind shout while playing a rash shot against Gareth Betty. The kissing on the pitch made it evident that even he, despite his team losing the series and getting criticisms, was somewhat relieved and once again, became the player with the highest Test score and 20 years, and he still is. 

The Trinidadian’s innings not only made sure that the West Indies wouldn’t lose the game but his possible approach towards reaching the landmark and not thinking about winning eventually led to the match ending in a draw.