Wiaan Mulder Declares on 367, Misses Lara’s Record
In a rare act of team-first cricket, South Africa’s stand-in Test captain Wiaan Mulder chose to declare the innings at 626/5 despite being unbeaten on 367 — just 33 runs shy of Brian Lara’s iconic 400*, the highest individual score in Test cricket. Mulder’s decision came during the second Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, on Monday.
While cricket fans expected him to chase the record, the 27-year-old all-rounder showed leadership by prioritizing South Africa’s position in the match over personal glory. His knock, which came off just 334 deliveries, featured 49 boundaries and 4 sixes, and has already entered the record books as one of the greatest individual performances in Test history.
A Record-Breaking Innings for the History Books
With this knock, Mulder now holds the record for:
- The highest individual score by a South African in Tests, surpassing Hashim Amla’s 311*.
- The highest score by a captain on debut in Test cricket.
- The highest score by a batter in an away Test, beating Hanif Mohammad’s 337.
- The second-fastest triple century in Test history, reaching 300 in just 297 balls.
Mulder also now owns the highest aggregate by a South African batter in a single Test match, going past Graeme Smith’s 362 runs in 2003.
Stepping Up in the Absence of Big Names
With Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, and Aiden Markram missing the series, Mulder was entrusted with the captaincy after Keshav Maharaj was ruled out due to injury. His performances have not only justified that faith but also silenced critics following his underwhelming showing in the WTC final against Australia.
Having already scored a century in the first Test and a gritty 147 in the second innings of this match, Mulder’s form has been remarkable. His ability to dominate both pacers and spinners with clean, attacking strokeplay underlines his transformation into a dependable leader and top-order batter.
While Lara’s 400* remains untouched, Wiaan Mulder’s 367* is now etched in cricketing history as a masterclass built on selflessness, skill, and sheer dominance. The cricket world now watches eagerly to see how this bold decision and historic knock shape his future and South Africa’s Test fortunes.
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