Brian Lara's 277 at the SCG — A Star Born, January 1993

Lara had played four Tests since debuting in 1990 — promising but no hundred. The Sydney Test came after Australia had won the second Test in Melbourne and the West Indies were under pressure with the series on the line.

Australia 503/9 declared on a typically flat Sydney pitch. West Indies 31/2 when Lara walked in at No. 4. He played his first ball back to the bowler.

Australia batted first and made 503/9 declared (Steve Waugh 100, Boon 76, Border 74). Lara walked in at No. 4 with West Indies 31 for 2. He drove Craig McDermott on the up, late-cut Shane Warne with the edge of the bat and pulled Merv Hughes off the front foot. The maiden hundred came at the end of day three. He was 121 not out at stumps. On day four he ran riot — 156 added on the day, including 38 fours by the end. Captain Richie Richardson and Lara added 293 for the third wicket. Lara was run out for 277 attempting a third run with Carl Hooper. The lasting memory is of Lara dismissing each session with a smile, picking gaps that other West Indians of the era had not seen. Match drawn; West Indies took the series 2-1.

“I had never seen a young player play with such freedom against quality bowling. He took us apart.”

“I was in the zone. The pitch was good and I just kept playing my shots.”

The West Indies declared their first innings at 606 in reply. The match was drawn but Australia won the series 2-1. Lara would name his daughter Sydney after the city. He went on to make 375 against England in Antigua just over a year later, breaking Sobers' world record.