Respect over records: Mulder preserves Lara’s 400 glory
Wiaan Mulder plays a shot
South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder made headlines not just for his incredible knock but for his decision to put the team first and honor cricketing legacy.
Leading the Proteas for the first time, the 27-year-old finished unbeaten on 367 in the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo but declared the innings at lunch on Day 2, choosing not to pursue Brian Lara’s iconic 400 record*.
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“First things first, I thought we'd got enough and we need to bowl,” Mulder told South African broadcaster SuperSport after his decision stunned many fans.
His declaration left him just 33 runs shy of Lara’s unbeaten 400, set in Antigua against England in 2004 — a record that still stands tall in Test history. For Mulder, however, surpassing it wasn’t a priority.
“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.”
Despite having a chance to write his name in history books, Mulder emphasized respect for the game and its greats, citing a conversation with head coach Shukri Conrad.
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“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’s 367* is now the highest individual score by a South African in Test cricket, and the fifth-highest overall. The only players ahead of him on the all-time list are Lara (400* and 375), Matthew Hayden (380), and Mahela Jayawardene (374).
This was also a remarkable leadership debut for Mulder, South Africa’s third captain in three Tests, stepping in after injuries to Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj. While he may not have taken down Lara’s record, he has certainly earned admiration for his selfless call and standout performance.
