South African captain Wiaan Mulder says Brian Lara is a “legend” and the West Indian great keeping his world record Test score is “exactly the way it should be”, after he declared on Wednesday unbeaten on 367.
The Proteas all-rounder looked to be on the brink of history as he closed in on Lara’s world record 400 not out, scored against England in Antigua in 2004.
However, the selfless Mulder decided to declare on day two after the lunch break with his side 5-626 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He finished 33 runs shy of Lara’s Test record.
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Nonetheless, the right-hander became the first player to score a triple century on Test captaincy debut.
“First thing’s first, I thought we’d got enough and we need to bowl,” Mulder told South African broadcaster SuperSport.
Wiaan Mulder celebrates against Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Cricket
“And secondly, Brian Lara is a legend. Let’s be real. He got 400 against England and for someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special.
“If I get the chance again I’d probably do the same thing.
“I was speaking to our coach Shukri Conrad and he kind of said to me, ‘Listen, let the legends keep the really big scores’.
“And you never know what my fate or whatever you want to call it, or what’s destined for me, but I think Brian Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be.”
Mulder is now fifth on the leaderboard for most runs in a Test innings. He went past Len Hutton’s 364, scored against Australia in 1938, and Garry Sobers’ 365 not out, which came against Pakistan in 1958.
Mulder’s 367 not out trails Mahela Jayawardene’s 374, Lara’s 375, Matthew Hayden’s 380 and Lara’s quadruple century.
Brian Lara walks off after making 400 not out against England in Antigua in 2004, which remains the highest score in Test history. Getty
Mulder scored the second-fastest Test triple century, reaching triple figures off 297 balls.
Virender Sehwag holds the record having blasted a triple ton off 278 balls against South Africa in 2008.
“This will be a Test match he will never forget,” former Proteas captain Shaun Pollock said on ICC.TV’s coverage.
“We’ve talked about what the headlines might be: Mulder bullies Babwe’s bowlers in Bulawayo.”
The South African bowling attack tore through the Zimbabweans after Mulder’s declaration, rolling them for 170 in 43 overs.
Mulder, who bowls right-arm pace, took 2-20 from six overs.
South Africa enforced the follow-on and Zimbabwe is now 1-51 at stumps on day two.
Zimbabwean captain Craig Irvine won the toss and put South Africa in to bat — a decision he now likely deeply regrets.
