‘Selfless’ or mad? South Africa skipper declares just before breaking Lara’s all-time Test record

South Africa’s stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder has declared 34 runs away from breaking Brian Lara’s legendary record for the highest individual score in a Test.

In remarkable scenes, the all-rounder reached lunch on day two of the second Test against Zimbabwe at 367 not out.

It left him with the fifth-highest score in Test history and well on track to to beat Lara’s 400 not out posted against England at St John’s in 2004.

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But with his side sitting 5-626 after being sent in to bat, South Africa declared.

The decision is reminiscent of Mark Taylor declaring when he was 334 not out against Pakistan in 1998, equalling Don Bradman’s highest score. David Warner eventually surpassed it by one run in 2019.

Mulder sat 264 not out after the opening day of play. He had been bowled when on 247 but was saved by a no-ball as Tanaka Civanga overstepped.

Mulder then raced through the 300s including a six which was sent out of the ground at Bulawayo, before the break left his attempt delicately poised, at 367* from 334 deliveries with 49 fours and four sixes.

Wiaan Mulder celebrates reaching 300 in Bulawayo. Photo via Cricket South Africa. Source: Supplied

However he and the team chose not to chase the record, instead seeking victory in the match, immediately being rewarded as they left Zimbabwe 2-4.

South Africa won the opening Test of the series by 328 runs.

The decision leaves Mulder fifth in the record books behind Lara, Matthew Hayden (380 vs Zimbabwe in 2003), Lara again (375 vs England in 1994) and Mahela Jayawardene (374 vs South Africa in 2006).

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Mulder had already posted the highest score ever recorded by a first-time Test captain by stumps on day one, and took the record for the highest score in South African history early on day two, surpassing Hashim Amla’s 311* vs England at Lord’s in 2012.

The all-rounder made his Test debut in 2019 and only posted his first century against Bangladesh in 2024, before twin centuries against Zimbabwe in the opening Test of this series.

Coming into this match he had a career average of 26.20 across 20 matches and 33 innings.

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