South Africa’s stand-in skipper Wiaan Mulder registered his name in history books on Day 2 of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, producing a record-breaking 367* that guided South Africa to a strong position. His unbeaten run led the Proteas to enforce the follow-on, eyeing a three-day finish.
Resuming on 264*, Mulder hammered Zimbabwe’s bowlers to all parts of the ground. He brought up his 300 in just 297 balls, becoming the second-fastest to a Test triple century after Virender Sehwag’s 278-ball effort in 2008. His innings, which included 49 fours and 4 sixes, came at a strike rate of 109.88.
South Africa declared at 626/5 by Lunch, with Mulder unbeaten on 367, just 33 short of Brian Lara’s record of 400*. However, his effort became the highest score by a South African in Tests, surpassing Hashim Amla’s 311*. It also broke Hanif Mohammad’s 1958 record (337) to become the highest individual score in an away Test.
Mulder’s 367* is now the fifth-highest score in Test cricket history and the highest on Zimbabwean soil. It was also the second triple-century ever recorded in Zimbabwe and only the third triple-hundred by a batter after being asked to bat first. With 531 runs in the series already, Mulder now holds the fifth-most runs in a two-Test series.
In reply, Zimbabwe’s first innings was bundled for 170, with Sean Williams scoring an 83 off 55 balls. Mulder picked up a two-wicket haul, while Prenelan Subrayen ended with 4/42. Trailing by 456 runs, the home team was asked to follow on. They showed some fight in their second innings, ending Day 2 at 51/1, still 405 runs behind. Takudzwanashe Kaitano (34*) and Nick Welch (6*) managed to survive the final hour.
“Pretty special. To be honest, I have never even dreamt of getting a double hundred, let alone a triple hundred. Most importantly, it has put the team in a good position to win this Test. When I started playing for South Africa, I was nowhere near good enough. Have had the opportunity to learn from some great players (past and present). Going to England gave me a chance to understand what kind of batter I want to be) and figure out my weaknesses. Lots of lessons (from my time in England). There were so many thoughts like you have got enough. When I got bowled on 247, a lapse of concentration, there was so much negative happening. But there was a lot of positive thinking) happening as well. Just singing my song between balls, trying to keep myself natural and present, tried feeling my shoes to stay in the moment and not think too far ahead. When I went past Hash’s (Hashim Amla’s) score, I did not notice it at first) but it was pretty special. In Bangladesh, it was an Afrikaans song (that I was singing). Whenever I got stuck (in this innings), I kept singing and sometimes, I sung it out loud to keep me in the present. (On the declaration) First things first. We had enough to bowl (at). Brian Lara is a legend. He got 400 or 401 or something against England and for someone to keep that record, it is special. I spoke to Shuks (Shukri Conrad) and spoke about letting the legends keep (that record). Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be,” Mulder said after the day’s play.
