Explained: Why Wiaan Mulder Declared At 367* Against Zimbabwe?

In a remarkable act of sportsmanship and leadership, Wiaan Mulder, the stand-in South African captain, made headlines after declaring the innings at lunch on Day 2 of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, despite being unbeaten on 367.*

Mulder had a rare opportunity to surpass Brian Lara’s iconic 400* – the highest individual score in Test cricket. But instead of chasing personal glory, Mulder chose to honor Lara’s legendary status, emphasizing that “Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be.”

“We had enough runs and needed to bowl. And honestly, Brian Lara is a legend,” Mulder said during his post-match interview with Shaun Pollock. “If I get another chance, I’d probably make the same call.”

Respecting Cricket Royalty: Why Mulder Walked Away from 400*

According to Mulder, the decision wasn’t made in isolation. Head coach Shukri Conrad echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that records of such magnitude are meant for legends.

“Shuks told me to let legends have the really big scores. You never know what’s meant for you, but this felt right,” Mulder said. This act of humility gave Mulder respect not only for his cricketing ability but also for being a good person – a trait that is ultimately true leadership.

Wiaan Mulder’s Record-Breaking Knock: Beyond the Numbers

Although he did not decide to pass Brian Lara’s 400*, Wiaan Mulder did etch his name into the record books. Just the second South African after Hashim Amla (311)* to score a Test triple-hundred, he ended up besting Amla’s mark, too.

“Honestly, I didn’t even realize I passed Hash’s record. I was so immersed in my process singing between balls, staying present,” Mulder explained. He revealed that singing “Zombie” by The Cranberries helped him stay grounded during his marathon innings.

From Unprepared Debutant to Dominant No. 3: Mulder’s Growth

Mulder’s ascension has not been without its battle scars. Mulder began his professional career in 2017 and openly admitted that he wasn’t ready for international cricket at that time, but he played 3 seasons at Leicestershire in county cricket, which developed him as a player both technically and mentally.

“I used to come across the ball a lot, but in England, you get exposed quickly with those flaws. Learning to play the short ball and working on my front pad helped me big time,” said Mulder.

He credited Zimbabwe coach Justin Sammons for guiding his improvement against short-pitched bowling, as well as the demanding pitches in South Africa.

South Africa Crushes Zimbabwe After Mulder’s Marathon

Mulder’s record-breaking 367* helped South Africa amass a towering 626/5 declared. Zimbabwe, unable to match up, were bowled out for 170 and trailed again at 51/1 after being asked to follow on. South Africa looks firmly on course for an innings victory.

“I never even dreamed of a double-hundred, let alone a triple. But most importantly, I wanted to put the team in a winning position,” said Mulder.

Coach Conrad Lauds Mulder’s “Extraordinary” Leadership and Technique

South Africa’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, praised Mulder’s maturity and game awareness.

“It was a masterclass from absorbing early pressure as a No. 3 to managing the innings session by session. A true captain’s knock” said Conrad.

Key Highlights

Wiaan Mulder declared on 367 in the second Test against Zimbabwe*, choosing not to surpass Brian Lara’s 400*.

He broke Hashim Amla’s record (311)* to become the highest individual Test scorer for South Africa.

Mulder credited county cricket and coaching influences for his growth.

South Africa dominated Zimbabwe, putting themselves on course for a comfortable Test win.

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