Mulder Declares And Misses World Record
Author: Tom Penn
Updated At:
A Test match between Zimbabwe and South Africa is not really one of the big ones which generates millions of viewers from across the globe. Yet on Monday morning, during the second Test, every cricket WhatsApp group in the world was trying to find a link or a stream to watch the action as South Africa skipper Wiaan Mulder closed in on Brian Lara's world record score in Test cricket.
Highest Individual Test Innings Scores
Seeing how batters celebrate scoring a century in Test cricket, it is hardly surprising that very few make it to 300 let alone then have a tilt at making history and joining Brian Charles Lara on 400. But that is exactly what Wiaan Mulder was doing on Monday morning in Bulawayo.
However, for whatever reason, he, or the team management, elected to declare at lunch and Mulder will go to bed later this evening with the fifth highest individual Test score to his name.
| Player | Runs | Opposition | Year |
| Lara (WI) | 400* | England | 2004 |
| Hayden (Aus) | 380 | Zimbabwe | 2003 |
| Lara (WI) | 375 | England | 1994 |
| Jayawardene (SL) | 374 | South Africa | 2006 |
| Mulder (SA) | 367* | Zimbabwe | 2025 |
| Sobers (WI) | 365* | Pakistan | 1958 |
| Hutton (ENG) | 364 | Australia | 1938 |
| Jayasuriya (SL) | 340 | India | 1997 |
So, although Mulder has not beaten Lara's long-standing record, he has hit the highest Test score by a South African, pushing Hashim Amla's 311* vs England at The Oval in 2012 into second place.
Why did he declare?
Who knows!
Some suggest out of respect for Lara, others will point to the game situtation and describe his decision as being made 'for the good of the team'.
There is something of a precedent for this type of thing though, as Mark Taylor declared on 334* in 1998 against Pakistan to ensure that Don Bradman's Australian record of 334, from 1930, had not been beaten.
One thing Mulder's declaration certainly did do though, is reduce the millions of viewers who had found a stream or live footage of the game!
For 60 minutes, Zimbabwe vs South Africa was what everyone was watching - that is no longer the case.
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The gulf between the two sides was apparent immediately after the declaration when Zimbabwe lost a wicket from the first ball of their innings!
- 626/5 declared has since found itself playing 25/3 and at the time of writing, Zimbabwe are 26/3. A win for the hosts is unthinkable but if they can start to put together some partnerships then maybe a draw at 34.00 is worth backing!
Five of the eight wickets so far in this Test have been caught, a market which could be worth backing throughout for the next dismissal, particularly with batters looking to score big runs quickly.
- Next dismissal method 'caught' is 1.44 and looks to be a strong option.
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