BRIAN Lara has set the highest score ever in Test cricket, hitting 400 not out in the fourth Test against England at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG).
Lara passed the previous best of 380 by Matthew Hayden and then declared after reaching the quadruple century.
The Trinidadian left-hander faced 582 deliveries, hitting 43 fours and four sixes, setting a new mark just over two hours into the third day.
The feat came on the same ground where he hit the then record 375, also against England, in 1994.
Lara, who resumed the day 313 not out, shared an unbroken partnership of 282 with Ridley Jacobs, who hit a century himself to leave the home side 751-5 at the post-lunch declaration.
The shots that will stick long in the memory came off consecutive balls in a Gareth Batty over shortly before lunch.
Lara equalled Hayden's score by lofting spinner Gareth Batty over long on for six and then topped the mark with a swept four past fine leg.
The West Indies captain said it was hard to believe that he had achieved the feat for a second time.
"When I scored it before I didn't know what to expect. This time it was very tiring but I'm here again," he said.
"Matthew Hayden must have batted very well against Zimbabwe. It doesn't matter who you are playing against, it is very hard."
Lara admitted the celebrations were tempered by the fact West Indies are already 3-0 down in the series - their first home defeat by England since 1968.
"It's a great feeling but it is dampened by the series result," he said. "Ten years ago the match ended in a draw but this time we're looking for a result."
At the end of the day's play, by which time England had reached 171-5 in reply, Lara was asked if Hayden had been in touch.
During the day Lara passed Australian legend Sir Donald Bradman's personal best 334 and the English record 364 set by Sir Leonard Hutton in 1938.
He did survive a possible chance on 359 when what appeared to be a nick, down the leg-side, was dropped by debutant wicketkeeper Geraint Jones.
England Test legend Geoffrey Boycott, now a BBC pundit, said: "The key to it all is not just his shot-making and his concentration. He scores quickly by slicing and hitting in the gaps. If you bat quickly you don't have to bat for as long as some of us would have to to get 400."
Across the Caribbean, in Lara's home village of Cantaro, Trinidad, 52-year-old Freddie Gordon was watching the action on TV in the Valley Bar.
"The man was a perfect cricketer from when he was a baby," said the local car mechanic. (BBC Sport) See other story on back page.