Wiaan Mulder creates history with his historic 367 against Zimbabwe

Daily Maverick

3 hours ago

Stand-in Proteas skipper Wiaan Mulder has the world's fifth-highest Test score after his knock against Zimbabwe, although he turned down attempting to top the list.
Wiaan Mulder's name is etched into Test cricket history and will remain there for decades to come. The number 367 with a tiny asterisk – indicating that he was undefeated – will be right beside his name.
Mulder declared at lunch on day two against Zimbabwe with that figure next to his name and South Africa's total on 626 for five. Another 10 overs of the carnage he was delivering before the noon break would have seen him easily eclipse the highest score in Test cricket history — West Indies icon Brian Lara's undefeated 400 against England, set in 2004.
The stand-in captain, after some consultation with coach Shukri Conrad, opted not to break the 21-year-old record and instead have a shot at bowling against Zimbabwe. South Africa were left with 11 sessions (three days and two sessions) in the match to attempt to bowl Zimbabwe out twice for victory.
South Africa bowled them out in less than two sessions today, for 170, before snagging another in Zimbabwe's second innings to leave the neighbours reeling on 51 for one, 435 runs behind South Africa's total with nine wickets in hand. South Africa have nine more sessions to attempt to bowl Zimbabwe out, but will probably need less than three.
Mulder batting for another 10 overs after lunch would not have affected the match's outcome, only his standing in history. Right now, that mark is fifth.
Only four scores in Test history have been higher than Mulder's undefeated 367: Mahela Jayawardene's 374 against South Africa in 2006, Lara's 375 against England in 1994, Matthew Hayden's 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003 and Lara's aforementioned magical 400.
Respecting the game
Mulder's decision not to chase history any further was also because of his respect for Lara. He became only the second South African batter to pass 300 runs in an innings and passed the iconic Hashim Amla's undefeated 311 against England in 2012.
'I thought we had had enough and we needed to bowl,' Mulder said after the match.
'Secondly, Brian Lara is a legend. He got 401 (400), or whatever it was, against England. For someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special. If I get the chance again, I would probably do the same thing.
'Speaking to Shuks, he said to me: 'Listen, let the legends keep the really big scores.'
'You never know what my fate is or what's destined for me, but I think Brian Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be.'
At the post-match press conference, Mulder reiterated that he believed the team had enough runs and his continuing to bat would not have significantly improved the position of the side.
'The first point of it all is that we need to keep the main thing the main thing, and that is winning the Test match, and I felt like we were in a great position to do that,' he said. 'I didn't have to bat any longer.'
'Respecting the game is very important. Having someone like Brian Lara keep his record, he is one of the greatest to ever play the game so he deserves that.'
Belligerent knock
On day one, Mulder went into the sheds overnight on Sunday on 264 off 259 deliveries after clubbing the home side's bowlers to every corner of Bulawayo. The innings was not quite chanceless, he was cleaned up by seamer Tanaka Chivanga on 247 off a no-ball.
On day three he added 103 runs off 75 deliveries in a brutal exhibition of power-hitting. Only former Indian basher Virender Sehwag (278 deliveries) had reached a triple century faster in Test history than Mulder (297).
His knock was composed, exhibiting the self-control of a veteran batter, despite this innings being only his seventh at number three in Test cricket.
But Mulder has taken to the position well – he knocked a second career century against Zimbabwe in the first Test of the series last week. The all-rounder's Test average before the series against Zimbabwe was 22.21. It's now 38.43.
'I never even dreamt of getting a double hundred, never mind a triple hundred. It's super special,' Mulder said.
The all-rounder's innings is also the highest for a South African captain, beating Graeme Smith's 277. It's Mulder's first stint as captain of the Test side. He was appointed in the role after Keshav Maharaj, who made his Test captaincy debut, was ruled out after a groin injury.
It's a long way from when the now 27-year-old made his international debut in 2017 and struggled to get a foothold in the team in the ensuing years.
'When I started playing for South Africa, I was nowhere near good enough, to be honest,' Mulder said.
'It did offer me a lot of opportunity to learn from great players who have retired now, and some guys are still playing.'
'World class'
Enoch Nkwe, who is with the squad in Bulawayo, said: 'This is a proud moment for Wiaan, the Proteas Men, and the entire South African cricket fraternity.
'It was a truly world-class performance that will be remembered for generations. Records like this are not just personal milestones; they inspire young cricketers and elevate the stature of our game.'
Coach Conrad added: 'Wiaan's innings was nothing short of extraordinary. Being the captain, then batting at number three where had to absorb early pressure and face the new ball, which he did with immense composure and control — it was unbelievable.
'The way he constructed his innings, session by session, was a masterclass in temperament and shot selection.
'It's the kind of performance that anchors a team and sets the tone for the entire match. We're incredibly proud of what he's achieved today.' DM