Why did Wiaan Mulder declare with Lara’s record in sight? A Mark Taylor moment

Dubai: Wiaan Mulder was on the brink of cricketing immortality, just 33 runs shy of Brian Lara’s monumental 400 not out — the highest individual score in Test history. Yet, in a move that stunned fans worldwide, the South African stand-in skipper declared his innings early, leaving questions swirling: was it a mark of respect for the legend, or a missed chance to rewrite the record books?

Resuming on 264 not out, the 27-year-old continued his aggressive form to reach a triple century during Monday’s morning session in Bulawayo. By lunch, Mulder was unbeaten on 367 runs as South Africa dominated with a mammoth total of 626 for five. But just after the break, Mulder unexpectedly declared the innings closed.

The decision shocked cricket fans and experts alike, sparking comparisons to a similar moment in 1998 when Australian captain Mark Taylor, batting on 334, chose to declare against Pakistan rather than surpass Sir Donald Bradman’s Australian record. Such acts, while respectful, raise debate over whether they do justice to the competitive spirit of the game.

Brian Lara’s 400 not out, made at the Antigua Recreation Ground in 2004, stood as the highest individual Test score for over two decades. His marathon innings featured 43 fours and 4 sixes across 582 deliveries and reclaimed the record from Australia’s Matthew Hayden, who had scored 380 against Zimbabwe.

Mulder’s triple century came off 297 balls, making it the second-fastest triple ton in Test history, trailing only Virender Sehwag’s 278-ball effort in Chennai in 2008. During his innings, Mulder surpassed many South African greats — including Daryll Cullinan, Gary Kirsten, AB de Villiers, Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla — as well as global icons like Sir Garfield Sobers.

Mulder’s innings was historic not only for its volume but also its impact. He became the highest scorer on debut as a Test captain and recorded the fastest-ever 250 by a South African in Tests. His 264 runs on Day One powered the Proteas to 465 for four, setting the tone for their dominance.

Appointed stand-in captain due to injuries to Keshav Maharaj and regular skipper Temba Bavuma, Mulder embraced the leadership role, producing one of the finest innings by a South African on captaincy debut in 70 years. After early setbacks left South Africa at 24 for 2, he steadied the innings with a 184-run partnership alongside David Bedingham.

By stumps on Day One, Mulder had rewritten several records — fastest 250 by a South African, highest individual score in a single day by a South African, South Africa’s highest-ever single-day team total, and the most runs scored in a day’s play on Zimbabwean soil.

As Day Two dawned, the cricket world held its breath, waiting to see if Brian Lara’s long-standing 400 not out would fall. But Mulder’s declaration shortly after lunch left fans wondering whether history might have been just out of reach — for now.