
Record breaker: Wiaan Mulder hits historic triple-century for Proteas
Wiaan Mulder has broken Hashim Amla's record for the most runs by a South African in a Test innings. Picture: Tanvin Tamim/AFP
Proteas captain Wiaan Mulder delivered in spectacular fashion, closing out one of the best Test innings ever played on day two of the second match against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Monday.
Resuming his innings at 264 not out in the morning session, Mulder went on to make 367 not out before the Proteas declared their first innings on 626/5 at lunch.
Mulder faced 334 balls in a knock which included 49 fours and four sixes.
The 27-year-old all-rounder, playing his 21st five-day match for the Proteas, broke the SA record for the most runs in a Test innings.
In the process, he became only the second South African to earn a triple-century in the format after Hashim Amla scored 311 not out against England at The Oval in July 2012.
Fifth highest innings in Test cricket
Only three players – Brian Lara of the West Indies (400 not out and 375), Matthew Hayden of Australia (380) and Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka (374) – have scored more runs in a Test innings.
Mulder, captaining the Proteas for the first time after replacing injured series skipper Keshav Maharaj for the second Test, was given a life when he was on 247. Tanaka Chivanga removed his off-stump before a no-ball was called, and he went on to make full use of the Zimbabwean bowler's blunder.
After the lunch break on Monday, Zimbabwe were set to embark on their first innings, left with a mountain to climb to claw their way back into the match.

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eNCA
3 hours ago
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Mulder stops short of Lara Test record before Zimbabwe collapse
Wiaan Mulder denied himself the chance of making a world record Test score before leading a dominant South Africa performance in the field on the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club on Monday. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 170 in their first innings and were forced to follow on, 456 runs behind, after Mulder, unbeaten on 367, declared South Africa's first innings during the lunch interval on 626 for five. Mulder, captaining South Africa for the first time, was only 33 runs short of Brian Lara's world Test record of 400 not out when he declared. Mulder took two wickets and held a catch at slip as Zimbabwe crumbled in reply. Sean Williams, who was only allowed to bat after five wickets had fallen because of time spent off the field because of illness, slammed 83 not out off 55 balls in Zimbabwe's only innings of substance. Earlier the 27-year-old Mulder, went past the previous highest South African individual score of 311 not out set by Hashim Amla against England at The Oval in London in 2012. Resuming on 264 not out, Mulder became the second South African triple centurion, reaching the mark off 297 balls -– the second-fastest behind India's Virender Sehwag, who took 278 deliveries against South Africa in Chennai in 2007/08. Mulder equalled Amla's record then went past it with successive boundaries off fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani. Mulder faced 334 balls and hit 49 fours and four sixes off an increasingly dispirited and largely toothless Zimbabwe bowling attack.

TimesLIVE
4 hours ago
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‘Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be': Proteas' record hero Mulder
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IOL News
4 hours ago
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Mighty Mulder mauls meek Zimbabwe as Proteas Tighten Grip in Bulawayo
Proteas captain Wiaan Mulder scored a record-breaking, unbeaten 367 on Day 2 of the second Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo — the highest individual score by a South African in Test history. Photo: AFP Image: AFP Wiaan Mulder broke numerous Test cricket records on Monday with an unbeaten 367 on Day 2 of the second Test between South Africa and Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The 27-year-old now holds several historic milestones: the highest score by a player in their first match as captain, the highest score by a player away from home, the highest ever score by a No 3 batter, the third-highest Test score by a captain, the best strike-rate for a triple century, the fifth-highest Test score in history, and the highest Test score by a South African. One of the records that appeared to hold personal meaning for Mulder — or perhaps even caused a twinge of regret — was surpassing Hashim Amla's 311, which previously stood as the highest score by a Proteas batter in Tests. Amla has served as batting coach at the Lions, the domestic side where Mulder has spent most of his career. '(I was sad) a little bit,' Mulder admitted, after the day's play. 'I've worked a little bit with Hash over the last couple of years, and he's obviously a Hall of Famer, so it was truly special, firstly, to go past his record. But I always feel like a lot of the legends deserve certain accolades, so I'm by no means close to a legend. "Someone like Hash deserves to hold that record. But I guess it was my destiny, and yeah, take it as it comes.' To the wider cricketing world, the big question was whether Mulder might challenge Brian Lara's unbeaten 400 — still the highest individual score in Test history. At the lunch break, Mulder was just 33 runs short of the mark, but he instead chose to declare South Africa's innings at 626/5, giving the bowlers two sessions to attack Zimbabwe. Mulder explained his decision was driven by respect for the game — and for Lara's place in its history. 'I think the first point of it all is we have to keep the main thing the main thing, and that is winning the Test match,' said Mulder. 'I felt we were in a good position to do that, and I didn't have to bat any longer. And also, I think respecting the game is really important — letting someone like Lara keep his record. "He's one of the greatest to ever play the game, so he deserves that. I think we're still in a great position to win the game, and that's all that matters.' Mulder backed up his heroics with the bat by taking 2/20 with the ball, helping South Africa bowl Zimbabwe out for 170. Debutant off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen stole the second innings with figures of 4/42. Reflecting on his all-round performance, Mulder credited the belief shown in him by national coach Shukri Conrad. 'Shuks has backed me for many years from the academy days. I do think it's freed me up a little bit to go and play and not worry too much about surviving and making every run count, but more being able to express myself and play with freedom,' said Mulder. 'I feel like I deserve a position in the team — or rather, I contribute positively with the bat, ball and in the slips overall. I think my role brings a lot of balance to the team. So, all of those things contribute to freeing myself up and just being able to play at the best of my ability.' South Africa enforced the follow-on and now require nine more wickets to seal victory, with Zimbabwe trailing by 405 runs on 51/1.