South Africa’s stand-in skipper, Wiaan Mulder, declared the innings at 626/5 on Day Two of the second Test while batting on an unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe—just 33 runs short of breaking Brian Lara’s 400-run record.
England captain Ben Stokes was asked about the decision during the pre-match press conference on 9 July ahead of the upcoming Lord’s Test. In reply, Stokes said that Mulder won’t get another opportunity and could have broken the record with the massive innings already built by the Proteas.
“As captain you’d rather do it to yourself than the captain pulling out on a groundbreaking day. Fair play to him… I think he said something about how it should stay with Brian. He’s not going to get that opportunity again (laughs)! Fair play to them,” Stokes said.
Despite missing out on the world record, Mulder did surpass former Proteas batter Hashim Amla’s mark of 311, setting a new highest individual score by a South African. Lara’s unbeaten 400 remains untouched after 21 years—a milestone that could have been challenged had Mulder continued batting instead of declaring.
Explaining his decision in the post-match interview, Mulder said he wanted Lara to keep the record and would make the same choice if given another chance.
“First things first. I thought we’d got enough and needed a bowl. And, secondly, Brian Lara is a legend, let’s be real. He got 400 against England (in Antigua in 2004) and for someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special. I think if I get the chance again, I’d probably do the same thing,” Mulder said.
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