South Africa all-rounder Wiaan Mulder has disclosed that he recently had a conversation with Brian Lara, during which the West Indies legend expressed his preference for Mulder to attempt breaking his world record in the recent Test match against Zimbabwe.
Mulder was in a position to surpass Lara’s record for the highest score in Test cricket when he reached 367 not out at launch on the second day of the Bulawayo Test against Zimbabwe. However, he opted to declare his team’s innings at 626/5, thereby allowing Lara’s record innings of 400 to remain unbroken.
While the declaration yielded immediate benefits as South Africa secured a decisive victory within three days, a debate has since emerged regarding whether Mulder should have pursued Lara’s record, considering he was only 33 runs short at the moment of declaration.
Mulder, who served as the stand-in captain for the Test due to the absence of the primary captain Temba Bavuma and the backup Keshav Maharaj, expressed at that time his contentment with allowing Lara’s record to stand.
“You can never predict what is meant for me, but Brian Lara retaining that record (for the highest score in Tests) is precisely how it ought to be,” Mulder stated after the Test concluded earlier this week.
“He scored 400 runs against England – for an individual of his calibre, maintaining that record is quite remarkable. I believe that if I have the opportunity again, I will likely replicate the same achievement.
Although Mulder remains convinced that he made the correct choice by not altering the record, the South African indicated that Lara holds a different perspective, believing that Mulder should have continued and tried to surpass his record of 400.
“Now that the situation has calmed down somewhat, I have had a brief conversation with Brian Lara,” Mulder informed SuperSport.
Mulder Records & Achievements
Young South African to make Test debut in 2017
He played a key role in South Africa A and Emerging Teams tours, showcasing his all-round ability.
Mulder Scored over 2000 runs and taken 150+ wickets in First-Class cricket.
Key Player for Leicestershire in English Country Cricket, scoring centuries and taking regular wickets.