Brian Lara broke a Test match record on Sunday by hitting 28 runs in an over to help steer West Indies away from trouble on the third day of the first Test against South Africa.Lara put left-arm spinner Robin Peterson to the sword in the penultimate over of the day, driving for four, six, six, four, and four, and then cutting the last ball for four.The previous record was 26 conceded by Younis Khan of Pakistan against New Zealand’s Craig McMillan in 2000-01 in a Test in Hamilton. McMillan hit five fours and a six.At stumps on Sunday, Lara was 178 not out with the West Indies on 363 for six in reply to South Africa’s first innings of 561, still 198 runs in arrears.Lara, the West Indies captain, has been the wicket for six hours, facing 239 balls and hitting 28 fours and two sixes. It is his 23rd Test century.Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who scored 34, shared a stand of 125 for the fourth wicket that stemmed the tide after South Africa’s bowlers delivered a hostile morning session.At tea Lara was 100 not out with West Indies 239 for three. West Indies resumed on 87 for one, and lost Ramnaresh Sarwan in the sixth over of the day’s play to end a stand of 51 shared with Daren Ganga.Sarwan was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher for 21 off a snorter from fast bowler Shaun Pollock that pitched on off stump and tracked away from the right-hander.Lara flashed repeatedly outside his off stump in his first 50 and almost paid the penalty when, on 15 with the total 113 for two, he edged a ball from fast bowler Makhaya Ntini to Pollock at first slip.Pollock juggled the ball several times before it eventually fell to earth. South Africa kept the batsmen under pressure with tight, aggressive bowling in the morning session and West Indies were able to score just 51 runs before lunch. Their hard work paid dividends five balls after lunch when Ganga was hurried into a hook shot by Ntini and skied a catch to Robin Peterson at midwicket.
