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RNZ News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
South African turns down the chance to break Brian Lara's record
South Africa's Wiaan Mulder. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / South Africa stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder felt he had no right to dislodge West Indies great Brian Lara from the summit of highest test innings scores and decided to declare his team's innings against Zimbabwe when he was 34 runs short of breaking the record. Mulder was 367 not out at lunch on the second day of the second test at the Queens Sports Club when he made the surprise call not to continue batting, passing up the opportunity to set a unique cricketing milestone. "First things first. I thought we'd got enough and needed a bowl. And, secondly, Brian Lara is a legend, let's be real," Mulder said at the close of play. "He got 400 against England (in Antigua in 2004) and for someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special. I think if I get the chance again, I'd probably do the same thing." The 27-year-old all-rounder, in his first stint as captain, said he also got support for his decision from coach Shukri Conrad. "He said to me, let the legends keep the really big scores. And you know, you never know what's my fate or what's destined for me, but I think Brian Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be." Mulder did notch up the fifth highest test score and, on the list of triple centurions, now sits above the likes of Don Bradman and Gary Sobers. He was only recently promoted up the South Africa order to fill the troublesome No. 3 position and before his triple hundred averaged only 26.20 in 33 test innings, with two previous tons. "To be honest with you, I've never even dreamed of getting a double hundred, never mind a triple hundred," he said on Monday after lashing a mediocre home attack to all corners in an impressive knock made up of 53 boundaries. "But it's super special and the most important thing is putting the team in a good position to hopefully win this test," Mulder added. South Africa, who declared on 626-5, are in a commanding position with Zimbabwe trailing by 405 runs, having been forced to follow on after being dismissed for 170 in their reply, with Mulder taking two wickets to top off a day he will never forget. -Reuters
The Guardian
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
South Africa's Wiaan Mulder hits 367 … and declares 33 runs short of Lara's Test record
South Africa's Wiaan Mulder scored an unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe before the stand-in captain remarkably declared just shy of Brian Lara's Test record. In his first match as South Africa captain in place of the injured Keshav Maharaj, all-rounder Mulder reached the stunning total – the highest by a player in his first Test innings as captain – as he arrived at lunch with the team on 626 for five. But with Lara's record in sight the captain declared. Mulder had been bowled when on 247 but was saved by a no-ball as Tanaka Civanga overstepped. Lara's 400 not out came against England at St John's in 2004. Lara's feat, which has stood for 21 years, is one of sport's great records, beating the previous record of 380, set by Australia's Matthew Hayden in 2003, who himself had beaten Lara's record of 375, set in 1994. Lara cemented his legacy in June of 2004, when his 501 for Warwickshire against Durham represented the highest first-class score of all time. Mulder reached his triple century in just 297 balls, making it the second-fastest 300 in Test history, behind Virender Sehwag's famous 278-ball effort against South Africa in Chennai in 2008. Sign up to The Spin Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week's action after newsletter promotion Mulder's score also represents the highest ever score by a South African, passing Hashim Amla's 311 not out against England at the Oval in 2012.
Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Times
Bob Cowper obituary: Australian cricketer and Ashes triple centurion
If you look down the list of the highest individual scores in Ashes cricket, it is no surprise to find the names of Len Hutton and Don Bradman at the top. In third place comes the former Australian captain Bobby Simpson, followed by Bob Cowper, whose 307 at Melbourne during the 1965-66 series makes him one of only four batsmen (although Bradman achieved the feat twice) to have recorded a triple century in 148 years of Test cricket between England and Australia. He also remains the only batsman to do so on Australian soil, the monumental innings by Hutton, Bradman and Simpson all taking place at English Test grounds. At the time, Cowper had a point to prove. His epic innings came in the fifth
ABC News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Australian Test cricketer Bob Cowper dies aged 84
Cricket Australia (CA) has paid its respect to former Test player Bob Cowper, who has died aged 84. Cowper, a left-handed batter, played 27 Tests for Australia between 1964 and 1968. The highlight of his Test career was a stunning innings of 307 against England at the MCG during the 1965/66 Ashes series. It was the first Test triple century scored in Australia. Only seven Australians have scored a triple century in a men's Test. Cowper compiled 2,061 runs at an average of 46.84 during his Test career, with five centuries to his name. He retired from Test cricket at the age of 28 to pursue his business interests and later served as an International Cricket Council match referee. "Bob was a wonderful batter who will always be remembered for his famous triple century at the MCG, as well as his strong influence in the Australian and Victorian teams of the 1960s," CA chair Mike Baird said in a statement. "He was also a significant contributor to cricket in other roles including as an ICC match referee and his wisdom was always keenly sought. "On behalf of Cricket Australia, our deepest condolences to Bob's family, friends and former teammates at this very sad time." Cowper received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2023. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
