ADELAIDE, 27 November 2005 — West Indian batsman Brian Lara broke Allan Border’s world record for the most Test runs yesterday on a dramatic second day’s play that ended with Australian opener Justin Langer dismissed for 99.
Lara finished with 226 in the West Indian first innings total of 405 to pass Border’s long-standing record of 11,174 runs in Test cricket in the third and final Test at Adelaide Oval.
Australia reached 229 for three at close of play, with Langer falling short of a hundred after Ricky Ponting was dismissed for 56 and Matthew Hayden for 47.
Langer, playing his first match of the series after breaking a rib in the domestic competition, looked certain to register his 23rd Test hundred as he cruised to 99. The left-hander was stranded on the score for 20 minutes but came unstuck when he gloved a catch to wicketkeeper Ramdin Denesh off Fidel Edwards.
Langer had shared a 131-run partnership with Ponting before the skipper was trapped lbw by West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo.
Bravo also made the initial breakthrough when he dismissed Hayden with the total on 97, caught in the covers by Shivnarine Chanderpaul. When play ended, Australia were 176 runs behind with Brad Hodge unbeaten on 13 and Mike Hussey yet to score.
Australia’s strong reply was overshadowed, however, by Lara’s performance.
The 36-year-old started the day on 202, needing a further 12 runs to pass Border, with his team in a healthy position at 352-7.
Lara passed the former Australia captain’s record in the first half hour of play, flicking a single off Glenn McGrath to fine leg. He raised his arms in triumph as the Australians congratulated him and the crowd rose to their feet.
He became the first player since Gary Sobers to simultaneously hold the world record for most Test runs and highest Test score (400 not out). When he was dismissed, he had occupied the crease for 405 minutes and faced 298 balls, hitting 22 boundaries. It took his career total to 11,187 runs in 121 Tests at an average of 54.04. Border averaged 50.56 over 156 Tests.
Langer also paid a glowing tribute to Lara.
“I love watching Lara bat, he’s the king,” Langer said.
“I don’t mind saying that I’d pay money to watch him bat. I just wish I could bat like that. It’s like he’s manipulating the game of cricket.”
