South Africa's new record highest individual scorer AB de Villiers has credited his mammoth innings to the man whose record he broke.
De Villiers reached an unbeaten 278 on Sunday against Pakistan in the second Test at Abu Dhabi, and the number five batsman was quick to thank skipper and former record holder Graeme Smith for paving the way for him to reach the unprecedented milestone.
"I'd like to dedicate that knock to Graeme. He showed a lot of class in his captaincy by allowing me to go through and to get that record. I thought we could have declared a bit earlier but he wanted me to push on and to get that record," de Villiers said.
De Villiers also had his bowling attack to thank for helping him to the achievement as their presence at the crease allowed him to strike the record-breaking single that took him past Smith's total of 277.
"All the tailenders that stuck it out with me there today were quite amazing and they were all willing to give me the strike to get to the record. They were all willing to come out there and to put their bodies on the line," de Villiers said.
"That even inspired me, to watch Morne (Morkel) and Dale (Steyn) and Harry (Paul Harris) and all of them getting into line and really taking the knocks for the team."
"It was a very special day, and even more special to get ourselves out of trouble after we were three down early on in the Test match. That's how I play this game, I like to be a team man and to get us out of trouble. It's a very special day and a very special innings."