Wiaan Mulder Praised for 'Selfless Declaration' After Falling Short of Brian Lara's Record

South Africa's Wiaan Mulder stunned the cricketing world when he declared on 367 not out, turning down a chance to break Brian Lara's legendary Test record of 400.

On 6 July 2025 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Mulder found himself in a position few could dream of. Captaining South Africa for the first time, the 27-year-old all-rounder had smashed his way to 367 runs by lunch on the second day of the second Test. The team stood at a towering 626 for five, and Mulder needed just 33 more runs to surpass Lara's 400 not out, a record many believe to be unbreakable.

Instead of chasing individual glory, Mulder chose to declare the innings. The decision shocked fans and pundits alike but also won him widespread admiration online. Many described the move as 'selfless' and 'incredibly sporting'.

Mulder's innings was remarkable not only for its scale but also for his rise through the ranks. Prior to this series, he had averaged just 26.20 in Test cricket and was better known as a lower-middle-order batsman. Earlier this year, he was promoted to number three—a move that paid off spectacularly. In this match, Mulder resumed day two on 264 not out, already having recorded the second-highest day-one Test score since Don Bradman's famous 309 in 1930.

He carried on aggressively, reaching his triple century in just 297 balls — the second-fastest in Test history after Virender Sehwag's 278-ball effort against South Africa in 2008.

Mulder's 367 is now the highest individual score ever by a South African in Test cricket, beating Hashim Amla's unbeaten 311 against England at The Oval in 2012.

Many cricket fans immediately drew comparisons to other famous declarations. In 1998, Australia's Mark Taylor declared on 334 not out against Pakistan, matching Don Bradman's highest score by an Australian but refusing to go past it out of respect.

Mulder's decision also avoided overshadowing Lara's towering legacy. Brian Lara's 400 not out against England in Antigua in 2004 remains one of the sport's most cherished feats. He had previously set the record with 375 against England in 1994, before briefly losing it to Australia's Matthew Hayden, who scored 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003. Beyond Tests, Lara still holds the record for the highest individual first-class score: a staggering 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994.

By declaring, Mulder put the team first. With nearly four full days remaining in the match, he prioritised giving South Africa's bowlers as much time as possible to dismiss Zimbabwe twice and secure victory. His move reflects a mature and strategic mindset, especially impressive given it was his debut as captain. It's a gesture that will likely be remembered as much as the runs themselves.

While he may have stepped away from cricketing immortality, Mulder's selfless act has won him a new legion of fans. His 367 remains the fifth-highest score in Test history, and he now joins an elite list of players who have scored more than 300. In a sport so often defined by numbers, Mulder's declaration proves that sometimes, character and leadership can matter even more than records.