South African Captain Wiaan Mulder Respects Brian Lara's Legacy, Preserves Test Record for Highest Individual Score

South African Captain Wiaan Mulder Respects Brian Lara's Legacy, Preserves Test Record for Highest Individual Score

In an extraordinary display of sportsmanship, South African cricket captain Wiaan Mulder opted to forgo the chance of breaking the record for the highest individual Test score, choosing instead to let the iconic record remain with West Indies legend Brian Lara. Mulder's heroic 367 not out, scored in the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, placed him fifth on the list of highest individual Test scores, but he felt it was only right to let Lara's record stand.

Mulder, who led the Proteas for the first time, declared South Africa's first innings on 626-5 at lunch on day two. He admitted that he thought the team had scored enough runs to secure victory, but also expressed respect for Lara's stature in the game. "Brian Lara is a legend, and for him to keep that record is special," Mulder told South African broadcaster SuperSport.

Lara's 400 not out against England in Antigua in 2004 remains the highest individual score in Test cricket. Mulder, who finished with the fifth-highest individual score, is the highest-scoring South African player, beating Hashim Amla's 311 not out against England at The Oval in 2012. Lara's effort in Antigua 21 years ago was the second time he broke the record. He made 375, also against England, in 1994, before Australia's Matthew Hayden passed that with 380 against Zimbabwe in Perth in 2003.

The other score ahead of Mulder is the 374 by Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene against South Africa in 2006. Mulder is South Africa's third different captain in as many Tests following injuries to Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj.

Mulder was batting at number three, a position he was only promoted to at the end of last year. This was only his third time reaching three figures in Test cricket, and followed a 147 in the second innings of the first Test against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe were all out for 170 in response, and finished 51-1 at the close of play after Mulder enforced the follow-on. Mulder's decision to declare may have echoes of then Australia captain Mark Taylor declaring on himself 334 not out against Pakistan in 1998, having equalled the great Don Bradman's highest score by an Australian. That record then went to Hayden five years later.

Overall, this was the 33rd individual score in excess of 300 in Test cricket. Mulder also passed up the opportunity to notch only the 12th quadruple century in first-class cricket. The record for the highest first-class score is also held by Lara for his 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994.

Coincidentally, Mulder was on the field for the last quadruple-century in first-class cricket - he was in the Leicestershire side against whom Glamorgan's Sam Northeast amassed 410 not out in 2022.

Mulder's decision to let Lara's record stand has been praised by many in the cricket world, with fans and pundits alike hailing his sportsmanship and respect for the game's history.