The following is an edited version of Mike Selvey's report on Lara's previous world record Test score, 375 against England in St John's on April 18 1994.
"Records," as Sir Garfield Sobers said yesterday, "are just there to be broken." They come and they go. But this one was special, not just the most prized crown in cricket but one of the greatest individual records in sport. At 11.47am eastern Caribbean time Brian Lara, a diminutive left-handed batsman whom the gods have touched, became the highest-scoring batsmen in Test history.
Twelve thousand people were there to witness the thunderous pull to the square-leg boundary that took him to 369 and beyond the 365 that Sobers had scored against a hapless, depleted Pakistani attack in Kingston 36 years before.
As the ball crossed the boundary and Lara raised his hands to the sky, a tidal wave of humanity swept across Antigua's Recreation Ground, engulfing and overpowering the constabulary ring that had been posted around the boundary and swamping the hero in the maroon hat. Others stood and danced, so much so it was a wonder the stands did not collapse.
As pandemonium reigned, a distinguished, grey-haired, rather Mandela-like figure appeared from the West Indian players' balcony, made his way down the steps and with a police escort, hobbled sedately out to the middle to greet Lara . Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers had his own, very personal congratulations to deliver. It was in 1954 that he, as a teenager, had been introduced to Test cricket, and so fitting amid the 40th anniversary celebrations that have been preoccupying the islands that Lara 's achievement should have rounded them off.
"I can't tell you how proud I am of his achievement," said Sobers, who has been Lara's idol and mentor since the first time he set eyes on the precocious youngster. Even before the Test Sobers had been counselling, cajoling and coaxing Lara into the massive self-belief and discipline that such an achievement demands.
Lara had spent an uncomfortable night on 320, but yesterday great names disappeared in a blur: one square cut saw off Graham Gooch's 333 and Don Bradman's 334; a back-foot cover drive rocketed him past Wally Hammond's 336 and Hanif Mohammad's 337 and, to Lara 's relief, a cover drive took him from 361, past Len Hutton's 364 and equal with Sobers. Then, and only then, did he know he was safe.