By Stephan Shemilt, Chief Cricket Reporter

South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder has said it felt “exactly right” that West Indies great Brian Lara remains the holder of the highest individual score in Test cricket, after the Proteas skipper chose to declare on 367 not out during the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Mulder, captaining South Africa for the first time, called time on the innings at lunch on day two with the team on 626-5, just 33 runs short of Lara’s unbeaten 400, scored against England in Antigua in 2004.

“First things first, I thought we had enough runs and we needed to bowl,” Mulder told SuperSport.
“And secondly, Brian Lara is a legend. For someone of that stature to hold onto that record is pretty special.”

The 27-year-old added that the decision came from both strategy and sentiment, reflecting on a conversation with head coach Shukri Conrad:

“He said to me, ‘Let the legends keep the really big scores.’ That stuck with me.”

Fifth-Highest Score in Test History

Mulder’s 367 not out now ranks as the fifth-highest individual score in the history of Test cricket and is the highest ever by a South African, surpassing Hashim Amla’s 311 against England* in 2012. It was only his third Test century, following a 147 in the first Test of the series.

Despite beginning his career as a lower-middle order batter, Mulder has flourished in his new role at No. 3, a promotion he received late last year.

A Day of Near-Perfection

Mulder resumed on day two at 264, part of South Africa’s overnight 465-4. His innings was nearly cut short on day one when he was bowled on 247, but a no-ball call gave him a second chance—one he fully capitalized on.

His triple-century came off just 297 balls, the second-fastest in Test history, behind only Virender Sehwag’s 278-ball effort against South Africa in 2008.

Despite having almost four full days remaining, and the perfect platform to challenge the record, Mulder chose team success and sportsmanship over personal milestones.

“You never know what lies ahead,” Mulder reflected.
“But for now, Brian Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be.”

A Decision Echoing Cricketing Class

Mulder’s gesture is reminiscent of Mark Taylor’s declaration on 334* in 1998, when the Australian captain chose not to surpass Don Bradman’s record. That mark was eventually broken by Matthew Hayden’s 380 in 2003.

Lara’s 400* remains unmatched two decades on and was itself a reclaiming of the record he initially held with 375, also against England in 1994. The only other player above Mulder on the list is Mahela Jayawardene, who scored 374 for Sri Lanka in 2006.

A Historic Moment

Mulder’s innings marked the 33rd instance of a 300-plus score in Test history. It was also just the second triple-century by a South African, placing him firmly in elite company.

Beyond Test cricket, Mulder passed up the chance to join an even more exclusive group—those with quadruple centuries in first-class cricket. Only 11 players have ever reached 400 in a first-class match. Once again, the record holder is Lara, with his 501 not out for Warwickshire in 1994.

In a twist of fate, Mulder was on the field during the most recent quadruple century—when Sam Northeast scored 410* for Glamorgan against Leicestershire in 2022.

For Wiaan Mulder, the decision to declare early was not just a tactical move, but a tribute to cricket’s enduring legends.

“There’s something special about seeing a name like Brian Lara’s at the top,” he said.
“Some records are meant to stay where they are.”