Wiaan Mulder Reflects on Near Miss of Brian Lara's Test Record
Wiaan Mulder discusses his decision not to surpass Brian Lara's Test record, emphasizing respect for the game and his own legacy.



Wiaan Mulder, the South African cricket captain, recently made headlines with his impressive 367 not out against Zimbabwe, which stands as the fifth-highest individual score in Test history. Despite being in a prime position to challenge Brian Lara's record of 400 not out, Mulder chose to declare, a decision that has sparked widespread discussion in the cricket community.
Mulder, who was captaining South Africa for the first time, shared insights from his conversation with Lara, who encouraged him to pursue the record. "He said records are there to be broken and he wishes if I'm ever in that position again I go and score more than what he had," Mulder recounted.
Despite Lara's encouragement, Mulder stands by his decision, emphasizing the importance of respecting the game. "It's super special and not something I would have dreamt of," said Mulder. "I still believe I did the right thing and respecting the game is the most important part for me."
Mulder's innings not only highlighted his skill and temperament but also his respect for cricket's legends. His triple century is only the second by a South African, following Hashim Amla's 311 not out against England in 2012.
This incident has reignited conversations about the balance between personal achievement and team strategy in cricket, showcasing Mulder's maturity and leadership qualities on the international stage.