Brian Lara

Brian Lara holds the highest individual Test score of 400 not out and first-class score of 501 not out, 15% more than the previous first-class record, with 11,953 Test runs at 52.88 despite playing for a declining West Indies side. His backlift technique produced a cracking sound 20% louder than typical batsmen, a trademark that underpins his status as the most gifted post-Sobers stroke-maker. That 400-run innings surpasses #2 Sachin Tendulkar's top score of 248 by 152 runs, a clear benchmark in batting excellence.