Lara’s long-standing record was saved from being broken by the South African captain’s declaration of the innings on 367 runs in the Bulawayo Test.
Bulawayo: South African all-rounder Wien Mulder says that legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara has told him that he should have tried to break the record for the highest individual innings in Test cricket.
Wien Mulder, who was South Africa’s stand-in captain in the second Test against Zimbabwe, declared his innings at 367 runs at lunch on the second day, leaving him just 33 runs short of Brian Lara’s world record of 400 runs.
After the match, Mulder said that he did not break Brian Lara’s record because he is a legend and some records should remain with legends.
Wien Mulder revealed that Lara himself did not agree with this. Brian Lara said that you are creating your own legacy, so you should go for the record.
Ryan Mulder said that Brian Lara said that records are meant to be broken and he wanted me to break his record if I was in that position again.
Mulder said that although Lara’s words were interesting, he still believes that he made the right decision because for him, respect for the game is more important.
It should be noted that Wayne Mulder’s 367 not out innings is the highest individual innings by any batsman for South Africa and is also the fifth highest score in the history of Test cricket.
South African coach Shukri Conrad told Mulder, “Look, leave the big scores for the legends.” South Africa won the match by an innings and 236 runs in three days.
Earlier, West Indies’ Chris Gayle, who has two Test triple centuries to his name, said that Mulder probably made a “panic” decision and missed a historic opportunity.
Chris Gayle said that if I had the chance to score 400, I would have done it. This opportunity does not come again and again. If you want to become a legend, records make you a legend.
This decision is being debated in cricket circles and many experts are calling it a “missed golden opportunity”.
