BRIAN LARA said beating Allan Border's world record for the most Test runs was the highlight of his career. The West Indian batsman scored a brilliant 226 in the third Test against Australia on Saturday to lift his career run tally to 11,187, eclipsing Border's previous record of 11,174. Lara already holds the world record for the highest score in an innings after his 400 not out against England last year, but said the overall run record was a greater achievement. "This has to do with longevity with the game and anyone who achieves it understands the importance of it," he told a news conference. "Inevitably, someone will break it, but to actually be the leading runscorer in Test cricket history is a momentous occasion for me. "It's a great feeling and I think you can place it above the rest." Lara broke the individual record twice at home, in 1994 and again in 2004, but said it was extra special to break Border's mark on Australian soil. "I know this will capture the heart of the people in the Caribbean," he said. "For children in the Caribbean, this is it. There is nothing else they want to do than to play cricket for the West Indies. "It was a great to do it against Australia, a team that is considered perhaps the greatest team that has ever played the game and one that I've had a lot of battles with." WINNING CHANCE Lara's record-breaking double-century also gave the tourists a chance of winning the last Test after being easily beaten in the first two matches. "It's a series that has gone wrong but we have a slight chance," Lara said. Australian batsman Justin Langer, who was dismissed for 99, paid a glowing tribute to Lara. "I love watching Lara bat, he's the king," Langer said. "I don't mind saying that I'd pay money to watch him bat. I just wish I could bat like that. It's like he's manipulating the game of cricket." Langer said he was not surprised at Lara's performance despite his poor form in the two previous Tests. "I've been saying all tour, he's a sleeping giant. He's just wiping sleep from his eyes," Langer said. "Never write off champions and he just showed that he's a legend of the game. "He's awesome to watch but I'm still not happy to see him make the runs against us." Langer, who missed the first two Tests after breaking a rib, said he was frustrated at missing out on a century when he gloved a catch behind. "If I was Lara I would have danced down the pitch and whacked it over the top but that's why he's Lara and I'm Langer," the Australian said. "It's disappointing, it would have been nice to get another run but if I turned up at the start of the day and was told I could get 99 or a duck, I'd take 99 every time." Reprinted from jamaica-gleaner.com