Hooking cricket's most revered record: Brian Lara overtakes Gary Sobers to make 375 the highest inings yet in Tests

BRIAN LARA, the West Indies batsman, drops to his knees and kisses the pitch having just secured his place in cricket history by scoring the highest Test innings ever.

Lara, playing in the fifth Test against England in Antigua, surpassed the milestone of 365 held by Sir Gary Sobers, to claim what is arguably his sport's most revered record. Lara did it in style, powerfully hooking a Chris Lewis bouncer, but was eventally out a few minutes later for 375 having faced 538 balls and been at the crease for nearly 12 and a half hours.

Sobers, who took the record from Len Hutton against Pakistan in 1958, walked on to the pitch to congratulate 24- year-old Lara. 'I don't think a better person could have broken my record,' he said. 'To me, Brian is the only batsman today who plays the game the way it should be played.'.

Lara, who has played in only 16 Tests, said: 'Things are going to change but I mustn't get swollen-headed and will try to keep living a simple life.'

Martin Johnson, page 36

(Photograph omitted)