Wiaan Mulder made a bold statement in Test cricket by declaring South Africa’s innings when just 33 runs shy of Brian Lara’s world record 400, leaving his unbeaten 367 on the board.
The Audacious Declaration
Captaining South Africa for the first time, Mulder stunned the cricketing world when he called his team in at 625/5 during the lunch break on Day 2 against Zimbabwe. He stood unbeaten on 367, having surpassed Hashim Amla’s 311 to set a new highest individual score for a South African in Tests.
The decision was highly unusual, especially given how close he was to breaking Lara’s iconic 400-run record, which has stood for 21 years.
A Cascade of Records
Before his declaration, Mulder had already etched his name into the record books multiple times. He became the first captain to score a triple century on his Test captaincy debut.
His impressive 367 also surpassed Hanif Mohammad’s 337 for the highest score by a batsman overseas, and Garfield Sobers’ 365, placing him among the top five all-time highest Test scores.
While other captains like Mark Taylor and Michael Clarke have made surprise declarations near personal milestones, Mulder’s call, so close to a world record, stands out even more.
Forging His Own Path
Mulder’s journey to this monumental innings has been one of self-redefinition. For years, he was seen as an all-rounder, frequently batting lower down the order at No. 7.
However, Mulder was determined to prove himself as a frontline batsman. He approached his coaches, requesting to bat at No. 3, a position he now occupies consistently.
His first-class record supports this shift: he scores a century every 7.1 matches and a fifty or more every 3.25 innings, with an incredible conversion rate of reaching three figures 1.18 times after passing 50. Many of his 11 centuries and 13 fifties have come since 2022, after he embraced his role as a specialist batsman.
The Amla Effect
A significant influence on Mulder’s transformation has been South African batting legend Hashim Amla. Amla’s guidance focused less on intricate technique and more on freeing Mulder from the mental pressure he placed on himself.
Mulder admitted to being an “over-thinker” about his batting. Amla helped him simplify his approach, reassuring him that his fundamentals were sound and encouraging him to “just try and take the game on.”
This calmness, a hallmark of Amla’s own career, has clearly rubbed off on Mulder. Despite the potential for debate around his declaration, it likely reflects a calm, clear decision rooted in a team-first mindset.
- Wiaan Mulder declared South Africa’s innings at 625/5 while unbeaten on 367, just 33 runs short of Brian Lara’s world record.
- His innings broke several records, including the highest individual score by a South African and the highest score by a captain on debut.
- Mulder’s declaration highlights his unique, team-focused approach, prioritizing the game’s outcome over personal milestones.
- His recent success stems from his decision to focus on batting as a primary skill, moving to No. 3, and mentorship from Hashim Amla.
Mulder’s remarkable innings and his unconventional declaration cement his identity as a cricketer who is truly his own man.
