Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey
Wiaan Mulder drew widespread reaction when he opted to declare batting on 367*, just 33 away from Brian Lara’s all-time record score of 400. The South Africa captain pulled the plug on the innings at lunch on day two of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, after the Proteas had amassed 626/5.
South Africa bowled Zimbabwe out for just 170 in their first innings, with spinner Prenelan Subrayen taking 4/40 on debut. Mulder took two wickets himself before enforcing the follow on. The hosts ended day two 51/1, still trailing by 405 runs.
Why did Wiaan Mulder declare on 367*? The South Africa captain speaks out
Speaking to Shaun Pollock for SuperSport, Mulder said the record should remain Brian Lara’s. The captain said he also wanted his team to be bowling after lunch.
“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.”
Mulder revealed he spoke to Proteas coach Shukri Conrad, who encouraged him to ensure Lara’s record remained intact.
“I know I was speaking to Shuks [coach Shukri Conrad],” said Mulder. “He kind of said to me as well, like listen, let the legends keep the really big scores. You never know what’s my fate or whatever you want to call it, what’s destined for me. But I think Brian Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be.”
Mulder still broke a number of records. He went past Hashim Amla’s 311* as the highest individual score by a South African in Test cricket. Amla achieved the feat against England in 2012.
“And to be honest, when I went past Hash’s score, I didn’t really notice what actually happened until I looked up. I was on 312. I was like, oh, wow! I was just on 300. I don’t know how I got there, but yeah, I was truly special,” Mulder said.
Mulder’s 367* is now the fifth-highest individual score in Test history, behind on Lara (400*), Matthew Hayden (380), Lara again (375) and Mahela Jayawardene (374).
