Test record belongs to ‘legend' Brian Lara, Wiaan Mulder says after declaring on 367
Lara, the iconic former West Indies batsman, retains the record with his 400 not out against England in April 2004 at St. John's, Antigua. Mulder was closing in on matching the mark with 367 not out Monday, but declared South Africa's first innings on 626-5.
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The 27-year-old said Lara deserves to keep the record, and that should he be presented the opportunity to break it again, he would likely make the same decision.
'I thought we had enough and we need to bowl,' Mulder said. 'Secondly, Brian Lara is a legend, let's be real.
'For someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special. I think if I get the chance again, I would probably do the same thing.
The records just keep coming for Wiaan Mulder 🇿🇦💪!
What an astonishing display of skill, composure, and sheer determination! 🔥🏏 #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/mWlR2UcOPS
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 7, 2025
'Speaking to Shuks (Shukri Conrad), he kind of said to me as well: 'Listen, let the legends keep the really big scores'.
'You never know what's my fate, or what is destined for me, but I think Brian Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be.'
Lara's 21-year-old record came six months after the previous best had been set by Australia's Matthew Hayden, whose 380 runs in Perth against Zimbabwe had taken it from Lara, who had previously scored 375 against England in 1994.
Mulder's effort Monday is the only Test score since Mahela Jayawardene's 374 in 2006 to feature in the top 10 highest scores of all time, placing fifth in the list.
Mulder entered the crease in the tenth over of the match, after South Africa opener Tony de Zorzi was removed for 10 runs with his side's score at 10-1.
Four overs later, South Africa's other opener Lesego Senokwane was removed for three runs to leave his side struggling at 24-2.
David Bedingham entered at No 4, and shared a 184-run partnership with captain Mulder before he was removed at 82.
South Africa's best stand of the match then came between Mulder and Lhuan-dre Pretorius in a 217-run partnership, with Pretorious scoring 78.
Dewald Brevis scored 30 runs before wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne entered the crease with South Africa at 513-5, before Mulder passed the 300- and 350-run landmarks.
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