5 Batsmen who can break Brian Lara's 400-run record in Tests

400 is a significant number in cricket. There are multiple milestones in cricket and for most of those, there are multiple players who’ve got there. But there is one that only one cricketer has ever got too and that is a Test 400.

When Brian Lara got to that mark in 2004, it became a benchmark. Charles Bannerman, Billy Murdoch and Andy Sandham were the first ones to reach the 100, 200 and 300 marks but they had people emulating them all the time. However, it’s been almost 16 years and nobody has even come close to that 400-mark. There have been quite a few triple tons but no one has really threatened to break that 400-run record. But there are certain batsmen in the modern era who can challenge that record.

Here are five batsmen who can hit 400 in Test cricket:

1. Rohit Sharma

A few months ago, there was no chance of Rohit Sharma even featuring anywhere close to this list. His Test career was going nowhere and he was constantly in and out of the side as well. Moreover, inconsistency didn’t help his cause either.

However, India’s opening woes meant that they tried Rohit at the top of the order and the move worked wonders. The Mumbai batsman smashed three tons, including a double hundred against South Africa to announce himself as a Test opener. He was cautious at the start of his innings and played within himself and adapted well. But once he got in and felt confident, Rohit didn’t hold back. When in full flow, he is tough to stop. He even broke the record for most sixes in a Test match.

Thus, he is one player who can definitely challenge Brian Lara’s record of 400. In fact, the West Indian legend himself says that on his day, Rohit could well be the one to break his record. If he bats in the way he does normally and has a little bit of luck on his side, Rohit could definitely threaten that score of 400.

2. David Warner

Here is another attacking player who has already threatened to break that Brian Lara record. David Warner’s return to Test cricket after a 12-month hiatus wasn’t the greatest. He struggled to counter the moving ball in England and Stuart Broad troubled him throughout. However, he celebrated his return on home soil with a fine 154 against Pakistan at the Gabba.

But he bettered himself in the next Test. The left-handed opener smashed the Pakistan bowling attack all over the Adelaide Oval. It was the eighth time an Australian batsman scored a triple ton. Moreover, Warner went past the great Sir Don Bradman’s mark of 334 as well and finished unbeaten on 335. There was some time left in the game and he could’ve had a shot at 400 but with rain around and Australia pressing for a win, they had to declare.

Thus, Warner is the only one who has had a real chance at having a shot at Lara’s record of 400. He is someone who isn’t afraid to play his shots right from ball one. In fact, he is one of the very few who has scored a ton before lunch on the first day of a Test match as well. Hence, Warner is definitely someone who can threaten Lara’s record.

3. Steve Smith

Steve Smith seems to be batting on a different level in Test cricket. The bowlers are tired of watching him bat in the middle and he continues to pile on the runs. He started out as a leg-spinner and since he turned into a top-order batsman, he hasn’t looked back. Smith’s hunger for runs is on another level. There’s just one thing he does and that’s bat, bat and bat.

In fact, he is rated as the second-best Test batsman after the great Sir Don Bradman. Stats back that up too. He averages a stunning 62.84 in Test cricket which is the second-best after Bradman (minimum 25 Test innings). He’s already scored 26 Test tons which include three double tons.

Smith has the ability to bat for long runs and can score runs at varied paces as well. He can up the ante at any given point and can even score at a rapid pace if required. Hence, he could be one of the few modern-day batsmen who could challenge Brian Lara’s record.

4. Virat Kohli

There are hardly any records or lists where Virat Kohli is excluded. The current Indian skipper has been batting beautifully across all formats for quite a few years now. His Test match batting picked up the pace late but he is at par with the best and is always competing to be the best Test batsman with Steve Smith.

The Delhi lad can score big and he has shown that on multiple occasions. Kohli scored his first double ton in 2016, five years after his Test debut and more than four years after he got his maiden Test ton. But he now holds the record for the most double hundreds in Test cricket by an Indian. That underlines his hunger for runs.

Thus, he is also one of the few batsmen who can threaten to break Brian Lara’s record. In fact, Lara has gone out and mentioned Kohli’s name along with Rohit Sharma’s as the ones who can break his record. “Attacking players are the ones who are best suited to break a record. Players like Virat Kohli with the way he scores, Rohit Sharma on his day or day and a half could definitely break the record,” Lara had said after David Warner’s knock of 335.

5. Kane Williamson

This may be a slightly surprising name in this list, given the way Kane Williamson approaches his innings. He is a classical batsman who loves to bid his time in the middle. But he has the ability to up his game and attack when needed as well. Moreover, Williamson has the ability to churn out big runs as well.

Williamson has an excellent record in Test cricket. No other New Zealand player has scored more tons than Williamson in the history of cricket. He has scored 21 Test hundreds already and has a long way to go as well. Moreover, very few can match Williamson’s concentration levels.

Hence, the current New Zealand captain inserts himself into the bracket of players who can break Lara’s record. He may not be the favourite but he has the ability and hunger to do it.