Australia’s Matthew Hayden achieved a big milestone while batting in a Test match against Zimbabwe on October 10, 2003. The opening batter surpassed Brian Lara’s record of 375 to achieve the highest individual score in Test cricket at that time. Hayden scored 380 runs off 437 balls. However, a year later, Brian Lara again surpassed him as the West Indies cricketer smashed 400 runs in a single innings to register the all-time highest individual score in Test cricket.
Matthew Hayden showed his beast mode in the first Test of a two-match Test series in Perth. Batting first, Australia posted a mammoth total of 735/6 in the first innings. After the hosts lost their first wicket at the score of 43 runs, Matthew Hayden made some crucial partnerships with Ricky Ponting (37 off 65) and Damien Martyn (53 off 76). After that, skipper Steve Waugh joined Hayden as the duo added 207 runs for the fourth wicket. Waugh got out after scoring 78(124) runs with 10 fours and a six.
Matthew Hayden surpassed Brian Lara’s record of 375 runs
After the fall of Steve Waugh’s wicket, Matthew Hayden added another 96 runs with Darren Lehmann (30 off 48) before he was joined by Adam Gilchrist. Hayden and Gilchrist together put up a partnership of 233 runs before the fall of sixth. During the partnership, Hayden also surpassed Brian Lara’s score 375 runs. The left-hander was on his way to become the first player in history to score 400 runs in an innings in Test cricket, before he was dismissed by Trevor Gripper after scoring 380 runs.
Matthew Hayden smashed 38 fours and 11 sixes during his knock of 437 deliveries. Along with him, Gilchrist also remained unbeaten on 113*(94) with 12 fours and four sixes. Eventually, Australia went on to win the match by an innings and 175 runs, Hayden becoming player of the match for his record-breaking knock. After a year, Brian Lara scored 400*(582) runs against achieving the record for highest individual score in Test cricket.
