South African captain Wiaan Mulder logged his name in the history books for his fabulous knock of 367* runs in the 2nd Test match between South Africa and Zimbabwe at Bulawayo. Mulder had the opportunity of scoring 400 runs and crossing the highest-ever Test individual score set by West Indian legend, Brian Lara.
But much to everyone’s shock and surprise, Mulder refrained from doing so and declared his team’s innings – thereby paying a tribute to Lara by not crossing his score as confirmed by the Proteas himself.
“First things first. We had enough to bowl (at). Brian Lara is a legend. He got 400 or 401 or something against England and for someone to keep that record, it is special. I spoke to Shuks (coach) – and spoke about letting the legends keep (that record). Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be,” Mulder said after the Day’s play.
Wiaan Mulder thereby declared his team’s innings at 625/5 and put Zimbabwe to bat after their own batting onslaught. It came as a surprise for all as everyone expected him to grab the opportunity and put his name in the annals of world history.
Wiaan Mulder register South Africa’s highest-ever Test score
The stand-in-skipper of South Africa crossed former legendary batter, Hashim Amla’s score of 311 runs, during his stellar knock. Amla had scored 311 runs against England in 2012 at The Oval.
Mulder now also has the highest score by a Test captain and shattered several other records during this process.
His total fours of 49 stands only behind English batter, John Edrich, who scored 52 fours in his 310*-run knock against New Zealand in 1965 at Headingly.
Zimbabwe are staring down the barrel in this Test
South Africa have the upper hand in the ongoing Test match and have enforced the follow-on against the visitors. Zimbabwe, in response to South Africa’s 625/7d, were bundled out for 170 runs in the 1st innings.
They are batting on 143/3 at the time of writing this article. South Africa need 7 wickets to win this Test match by a comprehensive margin.
