Wiaan Mulder Smashes Record-Breaking 367 on Test Captaincy Debut*. South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder made history in spectacular fashion during the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, smashing an unbeaten 367 off just 334 balls. His knock, laced with 49 fours and four sixes, is now the highest score ever by a player on their Test captaincy debut.
Mulder came agonizingly close to breaking Brian Lara’s iconic 400—the highest individual score in Test cricket history. Instead, he surpassed Hashim Amla’s 311 to claim the record for the highest Test score by a South African batter.
In a move that surprised many, Mulder declared the South African innings at 626/5 during the lunch break on day two, despite being just 33 runs short of Lara’s all-time record.
Speaking after play, Mulder explained the decision:
“I thought we had enough and we needed to bowl. Secondly, Brian Lara is a legend. For someone of that stature to keep that record is deserved. If I get the chance to do it again, I’d do it the same way. I spoke to Shuks (Shukri Conrad), and he felt the same way.”
Mulder’s 367* now stands as the fifth-highest individual score in Test history, behind only Brian Lara (400* and 375), Matthew Hayden (380), and Mahela Jayawardene (374).
“Lara Told Me I Should’ve Gone for It” – Wiaan Mulder on His Chat with the West Indies Legend
Wiaan Mulder has revealed that he had a conversation with legendary West Indies batter Brian Lara after narrowly missing out on breaking Lara’s iconic Test record. Mulder, who remained unbeaten on 367, shared that Lara encouraged him to go for the milestone.
“Now that things have calmed down a bit, I had a chat with Brian Lara,” Mulder told SuperSport. “He told me I’m building my own legacy and should’ve gone for it. He said records are meant to be broken and that if I ever find myself in that position again, I should push to surpass his score. It was an interesting perspective, but for me, respecting the game will always come first. I still believe I made the right decision.”
Mulder’s 367* stands as the third-highest individual score by a Test captain, behind only Lara’s unbeaten 400 and Mahela Jayawardene’s 374. Earlier, former West Indies opener Chris Gayle criticized Mulder for not pursuing the record, saying the South African skipper “perhaps panicked” and missed a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”