“It is the greatest cricketing experience that I’ve had and I have had quite a few,” a smiling Lara told reporters following the conclusion of the match in which the West Indies defied the odds to achieve the highest ever victory target of 418 runs.

Lara said the sensational victory surpassed his world record Test score of 375 against England here in 1994; his highest ever first-class score of 501 and the West Indies’ one-wicket win over Australia in Barbados in 1999.

“The team effort throughout this game was great and definitely I would say this is the greatest cricketing experience of my life so far,” Lara asserted.

In reference to the West Indies’ prolonged celebrations on the outfield after the winning runs were struck, Lara said the players “were just looking to savour the moment.”

“Test cricket has been going on now for over 100 years and this is the one team that took it 12 runs more than the last team did. This present team with the likes of Devon Smith and Daren Ganga, (Ramnaresh) Sarwan, Omari Banks (and Jermaine Lawson), this is an opportunity for them to understand that they have created history,” Lara declared.

“I wish I was still out there. I’ve played Test cricket for 12 years and this is the greatest cricketing moment in my life and I’ve had quite a few this has surpassed everything else,” emphasised Lara.

Lara said the West Indies’ strategy facing such a daunting victory target was “to bat normal” and build partnerships.

“I know we had enough overs to do whatever we had to do, so did Australia. They had enough overs to get 10 wickets,” Lara said.

“But we just had to bat, believe in ourselves. I tried to get the guys thinking of their best innings,” added Lara noting the top seven batsmen in the team with the exception of rookie opener Devon Smith have all scored Test hundreds.

“I knew if we get a couple partnerships, it would be great…I thought it was a great effort by every single one,” Lara said of the West Indies’ victory.

“It was great cricket and I am proud of both teams. I think it was good for the crowd, it was good for West Indies cricket, and it was good for Australian cricket as well,” Lara contended.

He said the defeat would let Australia, who had won their last nine Tests against the West Indies that other teams are striving to reach the high standard they have set.

“They have been on the top for a while and it might be an understanding that there are people challenging for their position,” Lara reasoned, noting he never had any doubts that the West Indies could not reach such a huge target without a major contribution from him.

“I never had any doubt that I needed to do something for the guys to do well. I knew the guys have Test hundreds and this was just another opportunity to score a Test hundred, another opportunity to get a 100-run partnership, a 150-run partnership.

“It is also very important that the guys played well. Achieving this, I think is going to catapult us into greater things in the future,” Lara contended.

“I mentioned to one of the selectors that I don’t think we are going to lose another Test match for the rest of the year because we have improved in every single Test match up to Barbados,” Lara added.

Lara said on leaving Barbados he was always confident the final Test was either going to be drawn or the West Indies would win.

“At the end of the day, it was far-fetched thinking after Australia scored 417 but I think it showed the true character and it showed the progression of the guys, mentally, physically and they must be commended. I think it was great,” Lara asserted.

The West Indies captain also opined that the Australians were under even more pressure than the West Indies at the start of the final day's play, needing to take four wickets while the regional needed 47 runs for victory.

“My feeling was that the Australians were under pressure also. The Australians had to put each and every single ball in the right position and that in itself is pressure,” Lara reasoned.