Desk Report,
Lara tells Mulder he should have tried to break the world record of 400 runs
Wien Mulder has no regrets.
South African all-rounder and captain Mulder was on course to make history in the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. He declared his innings at 367 not out on the second day of lunch. He missed Brian Lara’s world record of 400 not out against England in 2004 by 33 runs.
Lara tells Mulder he should have tried to break the world record of 400 runs
Mulder later said that the reason for declaring his innings was that Brian Lara wanted the record to remain with him. However, Lara himself wanted Mulder to break the record. And Mulder himself said that.
Mulder told South African media outlet SuperSport, “I spoke to Brian Lara after the situation calmed down a bit. He told me, “I’m playing for my legacy, so I should try to break the record.” He said, “Records are for breaking, and if such an opportunity comes in the future, I should try to surpass the record that day.” Despite hearing such words from Lara, Mulder remained steadfast in his thoughts, “That’s his perspective. I still believe I did the right thing. For me, respect for the game is the most important thing.” Mulder’s 367 runs are now the highest individual innings in South Africa’s Test history and the fifth highest in Test history. Mulder said that South Africa coach Shukri Conrad also told him, “Save these big scores for the legends.” However, Chris Gayle, the owner of two triple centuries by the Caribbean legend, called Mulder’s decision wrong. Gayle told TalkSport, “Mulder may have been a little nervous. Such an opportunity comes once in a lifetime. If I had the opportunity to score 400, I would definitely do it. You never know when the opportunity to score a triple century will come again.”
