South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder made history by smashing a triple century on his Test captaincy debut against Zimbabwe, setting multiple world records in the process.
A Captain’s Knock for the Ages
South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder rewrote the record books by smashing an incredible triple century on his Test captaincy debut against Zimbabwe. This historic knock, played at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, marks him as the first player ever to achieve such a feat.
Mulder had already made his intentions clear on Day 1. He surpassed New Zealand’s Graham Dowling, who scored 239 in his first innings as captain against India in 1969, to set the highest score by a man on Test captaincy debut.
A Place in History: Second Fastest Triple Century
Resuming from an overnight score of 264 not out, Mulder continued his relentless scoring. He swiftly reached his triple century in just 297 balls, a blistering pace that places his innings among the fastest in Test cricket history.
This incredible effort makes Mulder’s triple century the second-fastest ever recorded. Only India’s aggressive opener Virender Sehwag holds the top spot, having blasted a 300 in a mere 278 balls against South Africa in Chennai back in 2008. Mulder also comfortably surpassed England’s Harry Brook, who reached his triple century in 310 balls against Pakistan last year.
Setting New Benchmarks for the Proteas
Mulder’s magnificent innings wasn’t just a personal milestone; it also set new records for South African cricket. He surged past Graeme Smith’s 277, scored against England in 2003, to register the highest individual score ever by a South African captain.
Playing in only his 21st Test match for the Proteas, Mulder joined an exclusive club. He became only the second man after the legendary Hashim Amla to record a Test triple century for South Africa, solidifying his place in the nation’s cricketing folklore.
Youngest Captain to Conquer the 300-Mark
Beyond the speed and the captaincy debut, Mulder’s age added another layer to his record-breaking performance. At 27 years and 138 days old, he became the youngest Test captain in history to score a triple hundred.
This remarkable achievement broke a 61-year-old record. The previous holder was former Australia captain Bob Simpson, who scored 311 against England in Manchester in 1964 at the age of 28 years and 171 days. While India’s Shubman Gill recently fell short at 269, Mulder showcased incredible maturity and skill to claim this unique record.
- Wiaan Mulder is the first player in Test history to score a triple century on captaincy debut.
- His 297-ball triple century is the second-fastest ever recorded in Test cricket.
- Mulder is the youngest Test captain (27 years, 138 days) to hit a triple century, breaking a 61-year record.
- He became only the second South African player to score a Test triple century.
Mulder’s extraordinary performance marks a memorable moment in cricket, setting a high standard for future captains and leaving fans eager to see what he achieves next.
