Brian Lara
West Indies·Batter·Age 57
Left-hand bat · Legbreak googly
Career
Brian Lara holds the highest individual score in both Test and first-class cricket — 400 not out against England in 2004, and 501 not out for Warwickshire in 1994 — and is the only batter to have reclaimed the Test record after losing it. His backlift was the highest in the game and his balance at the crease made the extravagance work.
He carried a declining West Indies side for most of his career, which is why so many of his greatest innings came in defeat or in improbable victory: the 153 not out against Australia at Bridgetown in 1999 is regularly ranked among the finest Test innings played.
Highlights
- Holds the highest individual score in Test cricket, 400 not out
- Holds the highest first-class score, 501 not out for Warwickshire
- Only batter to regain the Test record score after losing it
- Scored 153 not out to beat Australia at Bridgetown in 1999
International
Career record
| Format | M | Inns | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Testfrom 2001 | 17 | 31 | 2,036 | 400* | 67.87 | 64.8 | 7 | 5 |
| ODIfrom 2002 | 71 | 67 | 1,878 | 116 | 32.95 | 78.1 | 1 | 10 |
Figures marked with a year cover only part of this career — the ball-by-ball archive behind these numbers begins in 2001 for Tests and 2002 for One Day Internationals.
Questions
About Brian Lara
What is Brian Lara's playing style?
Brian Lara is a left-hand bat who bowls legbreak googly, listed as a batter.
What is Brian Lara's highest score?
400 not out against England in Antigua in 2004, the highest individual innings in Test cricket. In first-class cricket he made 501 not out for Warwickshire in 1994.
Why is Brian Lara considered one of the greatest?
Beyond the record scores, he produced many of his best innings for a weakening West Indies side against the strongest attacks of his era, often with little support.
What was distinctive about Brian Lara's technique?
An extremely high backlift and a pronounced trigger movement, combined with exceptional balance, which let him play very late and score all around the wicket.
Sources
- IPL figures computed from ball-by-ball records of every IPL match.
- International figures computed from Cricsheet ball-by-ball data, licensed CC BY 4.0.
- Biographical details compiled from public records.