New Delhi: South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder let go of the opportunity to surpass West Indies legend Brian Lara and claim the record for the highest individual score in a Test innings as he declared his team’s first innings while batting on 367 in the 2nd Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Monday. Mulder slammed an unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe to claim the record for the highest individual score for South Africa in Test cricket.
Captaining South Africa for the first time in a Test match, Mulder shattered records with his magnificent triple century against the hosts. He was in touching distance of Lara’s record of 400 runs, batting on 367 not out at Lunch in Bulawayo on Monday. He was only 33 runs away from creating history, but Mulder surprisingly decided to declare as he passed on the chance of going past the West Indies legend.
Lara became the first batter in Test history to score 400, when he slammed 400 not out against England in Antigua in 2004. The legendary southpaw has since held the record for the highest individual score in Test history. Mulder came close to beating the iconic record on Sunday but instead decided to stay not out on 367, declaring South Africa’s innings on 626/5.
Nonetheless, Mulder, who slammed the second-fastest triple ton in Test cricket, entered the elite club featuring batters with the top five highest individual scores in Test cricket. He finished with an unbeaten 367 off just 334 balls, laced with 49 fours and 4 sixes. Mulder now holds the record for the 5th highest individual score in Test history.
Top five highest individual scores in Test cricket:
Brian Lara – 400*
The legendary Brian Lara holds the record for the highest individual score by a batter in Test cricket. Lara slammed an unbeaten 400 for West Indies in a Test match against England at the Antigua Recreation Ground in 2004. He became the first batter to score a quadruple ton in Test cricket, and his feat continues to remain untouched.
Matthew Hayden – 380
Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden slammed a stunning knock of 380 runs against Zimbabwe at the WACA in Perth in 2003. Hayden’s 380 came off 437 balls and was laced with 38 fours and 11 sixes. It is the second-highest individual score by any batter in Test cricket. Hayden narrowly missed out on a chance to become the first batter to score 400 in the longest format with his 380.
Brian Lara – 375
West Indies legend Brian Lara features twice in the elite list, being the only player with two 350-plus scores in Test cricket. 10 years before he slammed 400, Lara scored 375 against England at the same venue. It remains the third-highest individual score in Test history.
Mahela Jayawardene – 374
Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene was the backbone of the Sri Lankan batting line-up for years in Test cricket. He notched up his highest individual score of 374 runs against South Africa in Colombo in 2006, closely missing out on a chance to score 400. The match also saw a stunning 687-run stand between Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, who slammed a brilliant knock of 287 runs. Sri Lanka won the game by an innings and 153 runs.
Wiaan Mulder – 367*
South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder joined a club of legends by smashing the fifth-highest individual score in Test cricket with his unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Mulder scored 367 not out off 334 deliveries and had a chance to go after Lara’s record of 400, but refused to do so by declaring his side’s innings. He set the record for the highest individual score by a South African batter in Test history with his maiden triple ton.