Great things happen to good cricketers.

That was the message Brian Lara passed on to Matthew Hayden, who made 380 - the highest individual score in 126 years of Test match history - against Zimbabwe in the first Test at the WACA Ground.

Hayden eclipsed Lara's 375 with a single off off-spinner Ray Price just before tea and raised his arms aloft in jubilation.

"That's why we play the game, we love the game and we cherish certain moments along the way," he said afterwards.

"Euphoric moments often happen and today was just a special event."

When he passed Lara's mark, Hayden doffed his cap, raised his bat and was embraced by batting partner Adam Gilchrist.

He was congratulated by the Zimbabwe team as he walked off the ground and mobbed by his teammates, who were led on to the WACA by captain Steve Waugh.

Hayden, 31, batted for over 10 hours in a remarkable innings that included 38 boundaries, 11 sixes and off just 438 balls.

He later received a telephone call from Lara, who told him he deserved the record.

"He really enjoys the way we play our game, so he was pleased to see it go to the Australian side," Hayden said.

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