Brian Lara was back on top of the world after scaling cricket's highest peak in the third Test against Australia on Saturday.
Special | Border congratulates Lara
The West Indian batsman scored a brilliant 226 to overtake Allan Border as the greatest run-scorer in Test history and further enhance his claims to being the finest batsman of his generation.
Lara's flawless double-century took his career tally to 11,187 runs from 121 Tests, eclipsing the former Australian captain's previous record of 11,174.
"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.
The left-hander achieved the feat in 121 Tests, 35 fewer than Border, to become the first player since his fellow West Indian Gary Sobers to simultaneously hold the world records for highest individual Test score (400 not out) and most runs.
"It's a great feeling... I'm really proud to have achieved it," he said. "Inevitably someone will break it but to actually be the leading runscorer in Test cricket history is a momentous occasion for me.
"I think it's testimony to the fact that I've spent 15-16 years playing Test cricket. Anybody who has spent that sort of time and is any sort of decent batsman is going to be in and around records."
No-one has ever doubted Lara's genius since the Trinidadian blasted 277 against the Australians at Sydney in 1992-93.
Further proof came in 1994 when he made 375 against England to break Sobers's individual world record of 365 that had stood for 36 years.
That same season, Lara added the first-class world record when he smashed 501 not out for Warwickshire in the English county competition.
Lara's been piling on the runs ever since with no mountain too high.
When he lost his Test world record to Matthew Hayden in 2003, when the Australian made 380 against Zimbabwe, he simply reclaimed it the following season with an unbeaten 400 against England.
VINTAGE DISPLAY
It was only a matter of time until he slipped past Border's aggregate but at 36, time was running out for Lara and he was showing signs of slowing down.
He struggled in the first two Tests against Australia but just when it started to seem as though his best days were behind him, he rebounded in spectacular fashion.
Against the best bowling attack in world cricket, Lara produced a vintage display, dispatching the likes of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Stuart MacGill to every part of Adelaide Oval.
He was 202 not out at stumps on day one, needing just 12 more runs to claim the record.
He got it in the first half hour of play when he flicked McGrath to fine leg for single, raising both arms in triumph as the crowd rose to their feet and the Australians queued up to shake his hand.
"You would love to do it in front of your home crowd, but actually to be here in Australia is great," Lara said.
"It was really touching to be here and be appreciated by a country I've had great battles with over the years."
Despite having achieved all his personal goals, Lara said he has no immediate plans to retire and wants to focus his energy on helping revive West Indian cricket.
Lara arrived too late for the great West Indian teams of the 1970s and 1980s and holds the dubious record of having played in more losing tests than any other player in history.
"If we ever turn the corner I will be the happiest individual in the world because that's what I really want to see, I think the talent is there," he said.
"Everybody wants West Indian cricket to get back to where it belongs, especially me.
"I've always said if I'm liability, I'll take the exit door but as long as I stay an asset to West Indies cricket, stay fit and injury free, I'm going to carry on.
"I've had my ups and downs but I'm still here, I'm still fighting, I'm still playing."
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. "Three of their top order are back in the pavilion so you never know."
Australian batsman Justin Langer, who was dismissed for 99 in the last over of the day, 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."
More from rediff