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In a gripping display of dominance during the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, South Africa's stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder sent the records tumbling as he raced to a monumental unbeaten 367 off just 334 balls by Lunch on Day 2. Batting at No. 3 and donning the captain’s armband, Mulder’s blistering knock had fans and pundits alike sensing history in the making, with Brian Lara’s iconic 400 within arm's length for the all-rounder.
Yet, to the surprise of many, Mulder declared the innings with South Africa at 626/5, falling just 33 runs short of equalling Lara’s highest-ever individual Test score. The decision sparked debate across the cricketing world, particularly because Mulder’s score had already surpassed Hashim Amla’s 311 to become the highest individual Test score by a South African and the fifth-highest in Test history.
Speaking after stumps on Day 2 (via ICC), Mulder justified his call by saying, “You never know what is destined for me, but Brian Lara keeping that record (of the highest score in Tests) is exactly the way it should be. I thought we got enough from the new-ball and secondly, Brian Lara is a legend. He got 400 against England - for someone of that stature, to keep that record is pretty special. I think if I get the chance again, I will probably do the same thing.”
While Mulder’s decision was lauded by some for its humility, it didn’t sit well with West Indian legend Chris Gayle. The self-proclaimed “Universe Boss” was quick to express his disapproval on talkSPORT’s Hawksbee and Jacobs show (via Hindustan Times), asserting that Mulder missed out on a golden chance to etch his name in cricketing folklore. While taking a dig at Mulder, he said that the all-rounder "panicked".
“If I could get the chance to get 400, I would get 400. That doesn’t happen often. You don’t know when you’re going to get to a triple century again. Any time you get a chance like that, you try and make the best out of it. But he was so generous and said he wanted the record to stay with Brian Lara. Maybe he panicked; he didn’t know what to do in that situation. Like I said, he panicked and he blundered, straight up,” Gayle said with a wry smile on his face.
Gayle disappointed with Mulder missing 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity'
With his 367, Mulder not only carved out a new South African record but also etched his name into the elite club of highest individual scores in Test cricket. However, Gayle questioned the young cricketer’s hunger for greatness, emphasising that records are the stepping stones to legendary status.
“Come on, you’re on 367; automatically, you have to take a chance at the record. If you want to be a legend, how are you going to become a legend? Records come with being a legend. I think it was an error from his side, not to try and go to get it. But listen, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get 400 runs in a Test match. Come on, youngster, you’ve blown it big time!”
Despite the missed milestone, Mulder’s triple-ton-plus masterclass powered the Proteas to a commanding win, an innings and 236-run victory over Zimbabwe, continuing their strong run following their World Test Championship (WTC) triumph over Australia at Lord’s.
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