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South Africa all-rounder Wiaan Mulder had a golden opportunity to create history and break Brian Lara's record for the bmost runs by an individual in a Test innings. Notably, the West Indies legend still holds the record with his score of 400* which came back in 2004 against England. However, Mulder could have broken this record as he was batting on 367 runs in a Test against Zimbabwe held earlier this year in July.
However, the all-rounder, who was acting as South Africa's interim skipper for the match, decided to shock everyone and declared the side's innings. Speaking to Shaun Pollock following the conclusion of the day's play, Mulder explained that he decided to decalre the innings because he feels that the record should stay with Lara.
“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," Mulder said after the conclusion of the day.
“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. Speaking to Shuks (Shukri Conrad), he kind of said to me, ‘Alright, listen, let the legends keep the really big scores," he added.
De Villiers wasn't a fan of Mulder's decision
However, legendary South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers wasn't satisfied with the explanation that Mulder gave for not breaking Lara's record. He further remarked that it will be incredibly difficult for the all-rounder to get such a great opportunity of breaking the prestigious record ever again.
“I think he should have (broken Lara’s record). I mean, I didn’t quite agree with the comments afterwards where he was talking about the legends must have the records. But he passed a lot of legends just for the last 20 runs he got. Sangakkara’s, guys like that. I’m like, ‘Oh, they’re not legends or what?'" de Villiers said on Beard Before Wicket Podcast.
“No, he’s never going to get that opportunity (to break Lara’s record) again. Just go get it. Doesn’t matter who it’s against or where it is. They still won the Test match. That’s the most important thing," he added.
Meanwhile Mulder's score of 367 is the fifth-highest individual score posted in the history of Test cricket. The South African only fell behind the scores of Lara (400*), Matthew Hayden (380), Lara (375), Mahela Jayawardene (374).
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