Date-stamped : 07 Aug97 - 18:28 Wednesday, August 6, 1997 Lara's 375 under threat Trinidad Express "LOSING one of my records might spur me on to other things. I'll just use that as a motivating factor to go on and do greater things." Three years and 110 days after he conquered the cricketing world, West Indies master batsman Brian Lara was philosophical about the possibility of losing his "crown." Lara,who seized Sir Garfield Sobers' 36-year-old world Test batting record with his 375 against England in Antigua three years ago, today faces the serious prospect of his record being eclipsed. The flamboyant Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya began the final day of the first Test against India just 49 runs short of Lara's 375. Jayasuriya made a monumental 326 not out and Roshan Mahanama an unbeaten 211 as the hosts piled up 587 for one by close of the fourth day at the Premadasa stadium. In the course of their partnership- yesterday, the pair rewrote cricket history with a world record partnership of 548. However, Lara, also scorer of the highest-ever first-class score, 501, faced with the prospect of losing his most cherished record, was shedding no tears. "It's not going to be a sad moment," Lara said in a TV 6 interview. "Anybody who holds a world record would like to hold it for a very long time. But I'm not going to be sad for the occasion, I"m going to be happy for him." Lara added that even if Jayasuriya does have plans to improve his record, so does he. "I was thinking of breaking 375 at some point in time again. I don't know if I can do it. But it is in my mind to do it all over again." Returning to the task facing the Sri Lankan batsman, Lara noted that as close as "Jaya" was, the hardest work was still to be done. "Three years ago, the last 46 were the hardest I ever had to score. There are going to be a lot of anxious moments tomorrow (today). But I think how his confidence is, how his mind is will determine whether or not he does it." Should Jayasuria get to a new milestone, it will be a triumph of stamina and concentration. He and Mahanama batted for two full days to compile the largest partnership for any wicket, surpassing the 467 by New Zealanders Andrew Jones and Martin Crowe for the third wicket against Sri Lanka in 1991. Jayasuriya moved from 291 to 297 after tea by sweeping Nilesh Kulkarni for his first six in the innings. Two singles later, the left-hander lofted the same bowler for his 32nd boundary to reach the 300-mark in only his 26th Test match. Jayasuriya, 26, celebrated the feat before 1,000 delighted home fans by adding a four and a six in a marathon innings that has so far lasted 13 hours. The 31-year-old Mahanama, a veteran of 44 Tests who guided Jayasuriya through the two days, helped himself to 25 boundaries during his 551-minute knock. The pair joined the illustrious company of West Indian greats Gary Sobers and Frank Worrell, who batted for two days against England in the Barbados Test way back in the 1959-60 season. But the Sri Lankans outscored Sobers and Worrell, who put on 165 on the fourth day and 207 on the fifth. The current pair made 283 on Monday and another 265 on Tuesday in a ruthless demolition of the Indian attack. The total is Sri Lanka's highest in Test cricket, beating the previous best of 547 for eight against Australia at Colombo in 1992. They start the final day's play on Wednesday 50 ahead of India's first innings score of 537 for eight declared, and set for more feats in a Test that is certain to end in a draw. Records tumbled under the rampaging blades of Jayasuriya and Mahanama, who began their partnership on Monday morning after debutant Indian spinner Nilesh Kulkarni had removed Marvan Atapattu (26) with his first ball in Test cricket the previous evening. Jayasuriya, 175 overnight, reached his double century within 35 minutes of the start when he pulled seamer Venkatesh Prasad for his 25th boundary. He then surpassed his country's previous best individual score of 267, made by Aravinda De Silva against New Zealand in 1991, shortly before tea. Jayasuriya, who holds the world record for the fastest half-century in one-day cricket (17 balls), also became the leading Test scorer in 1997 when he was on 188. He passed West Indian Lara's tally of 730 from nine matches, and now has 869 runs against his name from just seven Tests this year. While Jayasuriya battered records and the Indian bowlers, Mahanama moved sedately from his overnight score of 115 past his previous best of 153, and reached 200 after tea. "I have always wanted to play a long Test innings, so this one made me very happy," a tired Jayasuriya said later. "It's an honour to be the highest scorer for Sri Lanka. "I have been told of Lara's record. But I am too tired to think of it now," he said. "Jaya" would have had much more to think about this morning. And even though a piece of his legacy is under threat, the Prince of Port of Spain was yesterday supplying his colleague in cricket with positive thoughts. "I am wishing him all the best. He is a nice player to see play. And he has just got to put his head down and play the same way he has been playing for the last couple days." Source :: The Trinidad Express (http://www.trinidad.net/express/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)