Last Updated on 2 hours ago by Charbel Coorey
South Africa coach Shukri Conrad has opened up on the decision for Wiaan Mulder not to pursue the record for the highest individual score in Test history.
In the second Test against Zimbabwe in 2025, Mulder was unstoppable and looked to be racing towards Brian Lara’s record of 400*, achieved back in 2004. However, Mulder decided to declare at lunch on day two just 34 runs short of breaking the record, leading to widespread reaction at the time.
Shukri Conrad reveals message to Wiaan Mulder before declaration on 367*
Conrad revealed his message to Mulder during the second day at Harare. The coach says the tag of having the world record score could be difficult for Mulder to live with.
“I suggested to him, ‘I think you should pull out before you get there because I don’t know if you would be able to live with it,'” Conrad said on The Super Over Podcast.
“‘Every time you walk out, you would walk out as a world record holder. Can you live with that tag?’ Will you be able to live with it, knowing the person you are?’
“And we both agreed that he wouldn’t have. We will never know if it was the right or wrong decision. I care about the player’s wellbeing. I thought that was in Wiaan Mulder’s best interest, not only at the time but his time in the game.”
Brian Lara told Mulder he should have gone for the record, telling the all-rounder he is creating his own legacy. Speaking on talkSPORT, Chris Gayle went as far to say the all-rounder “panicked and blundered,” and that “any time you get a chance like that, you try and make the best out of it.”
However, reactions were mixed. Former South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald told CricBlog that he was impressed with Mulder’s words. The all-rounder, who captained South Africa in the Zimbabwe Test, said the record should belong to the legends.
“Well, first things first, I thought we’ve got enough, we need to bowl. And secondly, Brian Lara is a legend, let’s be real,” Mulder said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“He got 401 [400*] or whatever it was against England. And for someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special. I think if I get the chance again, I’d probably do the same thing.”
“His words were amazing, and that just typifies what a human being he is,” Donald said in response. “Whether he decided it’s the right time to declare, I don’t know whether he was aware of the world record [Brian Lara’s 400*]. I’m pretty sure that he did.”
