What's new

[PICTURE] Wiaan Mulder declares the Innings while being at 367* - A homage to Brian Lara or historical blunder?

How do you see Wiaan Mulder's declaration, while being at 367* ?


  • Total voters
    38
Once he retires and ESPN or another channel takes his post retirement interview - I’m sure he’ll regret this decision.
 
In most cases, I would agree that you put the team first and I respect the thought behind it.

But let's be honest, it's quite normal to bat for 5 sessions in a Test match. There was no need for them to declare at lunch on day 2. Worst case, you bat for an hour, get the record, and then declare.

These chances are rare and it's an honour for your country to have the highest Test score. It could have been something South African kids could look up to and be proud of.
 
Legend. People forget what this game stands for sometimes.

The Indians have commercialised and sensationalised the sport but let’s not forget, this is cricket — not the superbowl.
 
Not sure about the reason for declaration when you were just 30 odd runs to claim the world record. He could have done it and it wouldn't have affected the result of the game. SA though are playing a completely second string team against Zimbabwe, it is nice for these players to get a chance to play Test cricket.
 
Mulder scored an unbeaten 369 runs, surpassing the previous record held by Pakistan’s Hanif Mohammad.

Hanif Mohammad had set the long-standing record of 337 runs against the West Indies in 1958, which remained the highest individual score in an away Test series for decades. Mulder's remarkable knock is now the largest individual innings in an away Test series.
 
And then we blame our paper tiger to be selfish. Who cares about 200, 300 or 400 runs. Its about winning games. The TEAM score was more then enough so they declared. I wish Pak players had this mindset!

I

Legend. People forget what this game stands for sometimes.

The Indians have commercialised and sensationalised the sport but let’s not forget, this is cricket — not the superbowl.
1) Are you guys claiming there was not enough time to win? He could have scored 800 and his team would have still have time to win.

2) secondly, he is clearly thinking of the record. Because he talks about Lara. His decision had nothing to do with winning or team position. It was all about Lara and his record as he himself says. It's a form of worshiping his idol, Lara.

All in all, just another attention seeking behavior but he was dumb enough to not understand that no one remembers such sacrifices. His and his country's name would have been immortal in cricket history if he had broken the record. Because of his stupidity no one in cricket is ever going to remember his name.
 
Next his logic will be - Lara has never won a series in X country. So if south africa are about to win there, they should concede defeat to not break Laras record.
 
Lara's one was a selfish one, WI gained nothing from that knock..

To be honest he declared at 400 when he could have easily batted a few more sessions and take it to 500*

Sometimes humiliating your opponent is as good as defeating them.

Sri Lanka has beaten India in so many tests yet the one there piled on 950 runs is remembered to this day.
 
He should have gone for that 400 mark. I think he did it out of respect. Not like he was unaware or anything like that... Cannot call it a blunder.
 
Great stuff. At least someone still carries the legacy of the Gentleman's game.

He knew he was having an easy chance at breaking the record and he took the hard route of not going there just out of his principles. He knew that he might neber get this chance again. Lotsa respect to this guy.

I hope some Irish, Afghanistani, Zimbawean or Bangladeshi Batsman scores a 400+ score when their teams play against each other so that people who are currently seething at Mulder not going for the record, fume further with smoke coming out their ears and eyes.
 
To be honest he declared at 400 when he could have easily batted a few more sessions and take it to 500*

Sometimes humiliating your opponent is as good as defeating them.

Sri Lanka has beaten India in so many tests yet the one there piled on 950 runs is remembered to this day.

I watched that match. It was a draw and most who were watching at the time wanted Jayasuriya to break Lara's record.

Once he got out, the test match became boring as everyone knew the eventual draw result.

That attempt by Jayasuriya and the 950 runs scored are the only things one remembers from that test.
 
Mulder reveals reasons why he left Lara's record untouched

The stand-in captain was 34 runs away from creating a world record in Test cricket before he declared the South African innings at lunch.

Stand-in South Africa captain Wiaan Mulder has revealed the reasons why he decided not to chase history and attempt to break Brian Lara's record for the highest score in Test cricket.

Mulder cruised to 367 not out at lunch on the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo and had Lara's score of 400 not out within his sights with South Africa in command.

But Mulder decided against chasing the record and instead opted to declare the Proteas first innings at 626/5, leaving Lara's record for the highest score in Test cricket to remain.

Mulder disclosed the reasons behind his decision when speaking at stumps on the second day.

"You never know what is destined for me, but Brian Lara keeping that record (of the highest score in Tests) is exactly the way it should be" Mulder said to Shaun Pollock in the post-match interview, revealing the reason behind the declaration.

"I thought we got enough from the new-ball and secondly, Brian Lara is a legend.

"He got 400 against England - for someone of that stature, to keep that record is pretty special. I think if I get the chance again, I will probably do the same thing.

"Speaking to Shuks (Shukri Conrad), he kind of said to me 'alright listen, let the legends keep the really big scores.'"

Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad was in awe of the iconic knock from his stand-in captain.

“Wiaan’s innings was nothing short of extraordinary. Being the captain, then batting at No.3 where he had to absorb early pressure and face the new-ball, which he did with immense composure and control - it was unbelievable," Conrad said.

“The way he constructed his innings, session by session, was a masterclass in temperament and shot selection.

“It’s the kind of performance that anchors a team and sets the tone for the entire match. We’re incredibly proud of what he’s achieved today.”

South Africa bundled out Zimbabwe for 170, making them follow-on after Mulder's knock set up the platform nicely for the visitors.

The current ICC World Test Championship holders are already leading the two-match series 1-0, after beating Zimbabwe by 328 runs in the first Test.

ICC
 
There’s no doubt that Brian Lara played an extraordinary innings when he scored 400, a true masterclass in concentration, technique, and shot making. However, if we analyze it from a technical and tactical perspective, it wasn’t without flaws.

The pitch in Antigua was an absolute batting paradise, offering little to no help for bowlers. Lara batted for nearly two full days, and at times, it felt more like a personal milestone chase than a team-oriented effort. With the series already lost, both Lara and the West Indies seemed more focused on rewriting record books rather than pushing for a win. In the end, the match predictably ended in a draw.

To sum it up:
It was a gritty, disciplined innings that highlighted Lara’s greatness, temperament, and remarkable composure. But on the flip side, it also showed a degree of selfishness, as personal records took clear priority over the team’s chances of forcing a result.
 
Had he even broken the record no one would have ever rated it and it would have become an albatross for him rather than a grand feat. Most of the people criticizing him for not going for it would have downplayed the achievement saying it doesn't count given the opposition. Most likely people would have still called Lara's record the real one.

Also then his entire career, whatever he did subsequently, would have been overshadowed by that single record and any subsequent failures against better teams would have been judged more harshly. Having said that i think it is a decision he might be ruing personally and will continue to regret. Regardless of everything, such large scores don't get scored every day and it is near to impossible that he will ever get the chance again.

Also even if he stopped out of respect for Lara he should have at least eclipsed Hayden's knock before stopping.

In any case a triple century is a triple century and requires tremendous patience and application and should be lauded regardless of playing conditions. Well played Wiaan!
 
Apparently the South African cricket fraternity didn't appreciate this at all. They wanted this record in the name of South Africa.

Sometimes cricketers must also think beyond self and understand its about the nation.

This is not even the 2nd highest score but below 4 individuals so its not like he let it go when on the verge of it.
 
Ideally Lara should have also retired with 410 something so future players could still get to to 400 run landmark and retire out of respect.
 
Mulder, you are from South Africa, that nation has as much legacy as Windies and has produced cricketers who were as good or even better than Lara.

There was no need to act like a minnow nation batsman and declare so that a legend from some other country can have the record.

I think the rational could also be on racial lines where Shukri Conrad didn’t want Mulder to break a black man’s record. Which is understandable considering the rotten history of SA. If that’s the reason then I am onboard, otherwise it made absolutely no sense.
 
If you can do it you deserve it. There s nothing like he deserved it more. Mulder could have made us rmr his name forever had he achieved 401. But he is happy being forgotten then its his choice.
 
He said let the legends keep the big scores record so clearly he wasn’t just referring to Lara openly but to Hayden, Sobers, Mahela too.

He felt ashamed of surpassing them while playing against a minnow hence he did it.

It makes sense.
He’s earned goodwill and legitimacy for a knock which would otherwise have become a hated knock in cricket history.

A masterstroke
 
Mulder, you are from South Africa, that nation has as much legacy as Windies and has produced cricketers who were as good or even better than Lara.

There was no need to act like a minnow nation batsman and declare so that a legend from some other country can have the record.

I think the rational could also be on racial lines where Shukri Conrad didn’t want Mulder to break a black man’s record. Which is understandable considering the rotten history of SA. If that’s the reason then I am onboard, otherwise it made absolutely no sense.
That's an interesting perspective and could be possible.
 
I won’t rule out a possible BCCI hand in this. There is apparently too much pressure on Joe Root also now to do the same and give up the pursuit of Sachin’s test record. Don’t do the same mistake which Nadal and Djokovic did and ended up killing Tennis legacy forever. They should have let Federer have the grand slams record too.
 
I won’t rule out a possible BCCI hand in this. There is apparently too much pressure on Joe Root also now to do the same and give up the pursuit of Sachin’s test record. Don’t do the same mistake which Nadal and Djokovic did and ended up killing Tennis legacy forever. They should have let Federer have the grand slams record too.
It's a possibility. Jay Shah maybe didn't want another batsman scoring over 400 runs in one match after Gills heroics just a few days before.

At this moment nothing can be ruled out until we see Jay Shahs phone records.
 
Sachin being a legitimate GOAT contender and on top of that being a Brahmin deserves to stay at the top of the mountain. It’s better this way and more inspiring for future generations.
 
people here more triggered as if they were getting some credit or money from Mulder breaking that record

maybe most of you here had money on him lmao
 
Not a blunder at all

Think he would have went for if it was against a better team.

I remember when Hayden broke the record against Zimbabwe. It wasn't held in a high regard.
Immense respect for Wiaan Mulder for choosing not to chase the 400 run mark, leaving that iconic record untouched out of respect for Brian Lara. He clearly understood that surpassing it against a team like Zimbabwe wouldn’t have felt right. He still had the chance, but chose to declare instead, what a class act. Nothing but admiration for this great bloke. Wishing him continued success and many more centuries in the future.
As if Lara's selfish 400 wasn't anything more than an ego trip to reclaim the record that Hayden had broken months prior.

Atleast Hayden's 380 helped Australia win the match.
 
Great stuff. At least someone still carries the legacy of the Gentleman's game.

He knew he was having an easy chance at breaking the record and he took the hard route of not going there just out of his principles. He knew that he might neber get this chance again. Lotsa respect to this guy.

I hope some Irish, Afghanistani, Zimbawean or Bangladeshi Batsman scores a 400+ score when their teams play against each other so that people who are currently seething at Mulder not going for the record, fume further with smoke coming out their ears and eyes.

Did Lara show the same principle when he scored 375? Lara could've retired out on 364 to preserve Gary Sobers's 365. Lara at that time was a young kid.:inti
 
That 400 is one of the most over-rated pointless innings in Test history. Similar to Jayasuriya's 352. Pointless. Atleast Viru's 300s are fast. He tried to hit a six when he was in 290s and got out. He didn't care. He scored 293 in 2.5 sessions on day 2. He could have easily plodded his way to 400.
 
That 400 is one of the most over-rated pointless innings in Test history. Similar to Jayasuriya's 352. Pointless. Atleast Viru's 300s are fast. He tried to hit a six when he was in 290s and got out. He didn't care. He scored 293 in 2.5 sessions on day 2. He could have easily plodded his way to 400.
But he couldn't and Mulder didn't want to...lucky Lara
 
In most cases, I would agree that you put the team first and I respect the thought behind it.

But let's be honest, it's quite normal to bat for 5 sessions in a Test match. There was no need for them to declare at lunch on day 2. Worst case, you bat for an hour, get the record, and then declare.

These chances are rare and it's an honour for your country to have the highest Test score. It could have been something South African kids could look up to and be proud of.
I would've at least looked to equalize the record with Lara. That would be giving respect and getting your name on record books
 
Ik for a fact that he will regret it.

Mulder is not ATG material. He is a good player but its unlikely he will ever get to ATG status.

Becoming the 2nd player in history to score a 400, the only player in history to surpass Lara and the only player in history who could have scored a 400 and won a game for his side unlike Lara which led to a draw would be remembered.

Now no one will remember his 367 vs Zimbabwe as Zimbabwe isnt a great team and 30+ cricketers have scored a 300 in world cricket.
 
If it was homage to Lara then he should have at least scored 399* and declared the inning.

declaring at 367 doesn't make any sense at all.
 
But he couldn't and Mulder didn't want to...lucky Lara
No. It is because he never cares for it. Guys like Murali and Herath were at his mercy. He could have easily got to 400 by playing safe cricket. Same way against Dale steyn and Ntini he racked up 309 in no time. Could have played slowly and got to 400. India won against Srilanka. Did Lara win the test?
 
No. It is because he never cares for it. Guys like Murali and Herath were at his mercy. He could have easily got to 400 by playing safe cricket. Same way against Dale steyn and Ntini he racked up 309 in no time. Could have played slowly and got to 400. India won against Srilanka. Did Lara win the test?
Bradman could have done that too that way
 
And then we blame our paper tiger to be selfish. Who cares about 200, 300 or 400 runs. Its about winning games. The TEAM score was more then enough so they declared. I wish Pak players had this mindset!

I
So you're saying that him scoring 400 wouldn't have won South Africa the game with two days to spare?
 
None of the above.

Unless he himself states otherwise, to me it was a great gesture that honours the game.
 
Had he even broken the record no one would have ever rated it and it would have become an albatross for him rather than a grand feat. Most of the people criticizing him for not going for it would have downplayed the achievement saying it doesn't count given the opposition. Most likely people would have still called Lara's record the real one.

Also then his entire career, whatever he did subsequently, would have been overshadowed by that single record and any subsequent failures against better teams would have been judged more harshly. Having said that i think it is a decision he might be ruing personally and will continue to regret. Regardless of everything, such large scores don't get scored every day and it is near to impossible that he will ever get the chance again.

Also even if he stopped out of respect for Lara he should have at least eclipsed Hayden's knock before stopping.

In any case a triple century is a triple century and requires tremendous patience and application and should be lauded regardless of playing conditions. Well played Wiaan!
What makes you think that people will stop asking him about this? Or even branding him as the guy who could have broken a world record but didn't..
 
Not a big deal . Nobody remembers records against minnow nations.

Hardly anyone remembers that Hayden had the record at 381 , also against Zimbabwe at the WACA.

Sri Lanka had the record for the highest ODI total (443) for a decade but since it was against NED , no one remembers it.

Between the 438 chase and the 444 by England against Pakistan , I'm sure most people would not have even given a thought to SL's record.
 
I am tired of hearing all this chatter about "the gentleman's game"...what a load of nonsense!

It ain't the 1890s anymore. This is not a sport played by white upper-class English men.

It's a sport like any other sport. Which means you play to win and be the best. If you're not playing to win and be the best then maybe you're in the wrong sport.
 
Not a big deal . Nobody remembers records against minnow nations.

Hardly anyone remembers that Hayden had the record at 381 , also against Zimbabwe at the WACA.

Sri Lanka had the record for the highest ODI total (443) for a decade but since it was against NED , no one remembers it.

Between the 438 chase and the 444 by England against Pakistan , I'm sure most people would not have even given a thought to SL's record.
It's not any record though. It's the highest score in the history of test cricket. I refuse to believe that such a record won't always be remembered as long as test cricket is being played and people are watching. Regardless of whoever has it. It's actually more unlikely that people won't remember the opposition, but they will remember the record.
 
People are just salty about him being the bigger man by choosing not to go after Lara's record i.e. why did he stop at Lara? Did he not think twice about Amla?
 
People are just salty about him being the bigger man by choosing not to go after Lara's record i.e. why did he stop at Lara? Did he not think twice about Amla?
I don't see how refusing to score more is being a bigger man. He could have brought eternal glory to his country by having his country own the record. I think he was just scared of the attention and expectations it would bring.
 
Hoping for Root to show the same reverence and refuse to surpass Sachin's runs and retire before that.
 
Chris Gayle opens up on Mulder's 367*. While talking to talkSPORT, he said:

"If I could get the chance to get 400, I would get 400. That doesn't happen often. You don't know when you're going to get to a triple-century again. Any time you get a chance like that, you try and make the best out of it."

"Come on, you're on 367, automatically you have to take a chance at the record. If you want to be a legend... how are you going to become a legend? Records come with being a legend.

"I think it was an error from his side, not to try and go to get it. We don't know if he would go on and get it or not. But he declared on 367 and he said what he had to say. But listen, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to get 400 runs in a Test match. Come on, youngster, you've blown it big time."

"It's the same cricket, Test cricket. Sometimes you can't even get one run against a team like Zimbabwe, if you want to put it that way. It doesn't matter, the opponent, if you get a hundred against any team, that's a Test century. If you get a double or triple, 400, that's Test cricket. That's the ultimate game.

"Like I said, he panicked and he blundered, straight up."

Source: https://talksport.com/sport/3358946/chris-gayle-wiaan-mulder-brian-lara-test-cricket-record/
 
Last edited:
Chris Gayle opens up on Mulder's 367*. While talking to talkSPORT, he said:

"If I could get the chance to get 400, I would get 400. That doesn't happen often. You don't know when you're going to get to a triple-century again. Any time you get a chance like that, you try and make the best out of it."

"Come on, you're on 367, automatically you have to take a chance at the record. If you want to be a legend... how are you going to become a legend? Records come with being a legend.

"I think it was an error from his side, not to try and go to get it. We don't know if he would go on and get it or not. But he declared on 367 and he said what he had to say. But listen, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to get 400 runs in a Test match. Come on, youngster, you've blown it big time."

"It's the same cricket, Test cricket. Sometimes you can't even get one run against a team like Zimbabwe, if you want to put it that way. It doesn't matter, the opponent, if you get a hundred against any team, that's a Test century. If you get a double or triple, 400, that's Test cricket. That's the ultimate game.

"Like I said, he panicked and he blundered, straight up."

Source: https://talksport.com/sport/3358946/chris-gayle-wiaan-mulder-brian-lara-test-cricket-record/

Gayle is saying what most people are saying.

When there is an opportunity to make a record, one should take it (not just for individual interest but also for country's interest).

Lara is not a South African. Not sure why Mulder was so keen to preserve's Lara's record. :inti
 
Gayle is saying what most people are saying.

When there is an opportunity to make a record, one should take it (not just for individual interest but also for country's interest).

Lara is not a South African. Not sure why Mulder was so keen to preserve's Lara's record. :inti
And Gayle is Lara's countryman
 
Ben Stokes on Wiaan Mulder's declaration;

"As captain, you'd rather do it to yourself than the captain pulling out on a groundbreaking day. I think he said something about how it should stay with Brian. He's not going to get that opportunity again."
 
Lol, this guy's innings is still getting coverage on this thread as well as from worldwide news and other cricketers.

Mulder's innings has got so much coverage that now next time any batsman starts getting to around 350+, Mulder's knock will be talked about and referenced.

The guy just created a new legacy.

No one would have cared much if he broke Lara's record and scored 450+. People momentarily would have applauded that he broke Lara's record but also not treat it seriously enough by claiming that he smashed the score against a minnow side. People would then start forgetting and only vaguely acknowledge that yeah Lara's record has been broken.

Similar to how many people remember the 443 against Netherlands that Srilanka had smashed and that record stood for 10-12 years or Vaas's 8 fer against Zimbawe which still stands till date or Finch's 172 against same opponents in a T20In which btw is the highest T20I score.

Can anyone immediately from the top of his head tell me what the second highest T20I score is? I think you as a reader got my point.
 
Lol, this guy's innings is still getting coverage on this thread as well as from worldwide news and other cricketers.

Mulder's innings has got so much coverage that now next time any batsman starts getting to around 350+, Mulder's knock will be talked about and referenced.

The guy just created a new legacy.

No one would have cared much if he broke Lara's record and scored 450+. People momentarily would have applauded that he broke Lara's record but also not treat it seriously enough by claiming that he smashed the score against a minnow side. People would then start forgetting and only vaguely acknowledge that yeah Lara's record has been broken.

Similar to how many people remember the 443 against Netherlands that Srilanka had smashed and that record stood for 10-12 years or Vaas's 8 fer against Zimbawe which still stands till date or Finch's 172 against same opponents in a T20In which btw is the highest T20I score.

Can anyone immediately from the top of his head tell me what the second highest T20I score is? I think you as a reader got my point.
I don't remember any of the scores and record or not thereof you mentioned later.

Give it some years and when Lara's recod is actually broken. People will remain the top scorer. Not Mulder.

History only remembers winners.
 
I don't remember any of the scores and record or not thereof you mentioned later.

Give it some years and when Lara's recod is actually broken. People will remain the top scorer. Not Mulder.

History only remembers winners.

Thats a ridiculous statement to say which is apt to your username. History doesnt always remember winners. It remembers losers too at times. Cronje, Klusner, 90s SA, Flower Brothers, Heath Streak, Lara and Chanderpaul have been on many losing sides.

Nathan Astle's fastest double hundered in Test was a losing cause but came in one of the greatest attempts at a world record 2nd innings chase (550 runs) where the Kiwis ended up with 451 runs in 2nd innings.

All the records that are mentioned in my previous post ARE THE WINNERS aka either are the highest current records or were at one point the highest records.

And you yourself admit you DON'T REMEMBER these TOP records.

That is my Main Point. The reason you are not remembering these specific All Time Records is because they were made either against minnows or against relatively very weak opponents.
 
Thats a ridiculous statement to say which is apt to your username. History doesnt always remember winners. It remembers losers too at times. Cronje, Klusner, 90s SA, Flower Brothers, Heath Streak, Lara and Chanderpaul have been on many losing sides.

Nathan Astle's fastest double hundered in Test was a losing cause but came in one of the greatest attempts at a world record 2nd innings chase (550 runs) where the Kiwis ended up with 451 runs in 2nd innings.

All the records that are mentioned in my previous post ARE THE WINNERS aka either are the highest current records or were at one point the highest records.

And you yourself admit you DON'T REMEMBER these TOP records.

That is my Main Point. The reason you are not remembering these specific All Time Records is because they were made either against minnows or against relatively very weak opponents.
Now I don't remember them because I didn't watched Cricket much back then. But the point is still valid.

I do remember all the no. 1 records of the past decade. I remember Corey Anderson's fastest 100 and then de Villiers. I remember having watched highlights of those innings again and again.

I don't remember who came 2nd close to Lala or Corey's fastest 100 since then. I don't remember having watched any highlights of those innings.

I have no interest in Watching Mulder's innings highlights because what's the point of interest. He didn't get the big milestone. I'm sure many people feel the same way.
 
Ben Stokes on Wiaan Mulder's declaration;

"As captain, you'd rather do it to yourself than the captain pulling out on a groundbreaking day. I think he said something about how it should stay with Brian. He's not going to get that opportunity again."
In other words Stokes saying it was a mistake
 
Thats a ridiculous statement to say which is apt to your username. History doesnt always remember winners. It remembers losers too at times. Cronje, Klusner, 90s SA, Flower Brothers, Heath Streak, Lara and Chanderpaul have been on many losing sides.

Nathan Astle's fastest double hundered in Test was a losing cause but came in one of the greatest attempts at a world record 2nd innings chase (550 runs) where the Kiwis ended up with 451 runs in 2nd innings.

All the records that are mentioned in my previous post ARE THE WINNERS aka either are the highest current records or were at one point the highest records.

And you yourself admit you DON'T REMEMBER these TOP records.

That is my Main Point. The reason you are not remembering these specific All Time Records is because they were made either against minnows or against relatively very weak opponents.
You're generalising your arguments.

Unless Mulder becomes a Legend he wont be remembered. Whether he becomes one or not will depend on how his career progresses but atm he is in his infancy.

The guys you are mentioning are all ATG's

Only exception being heath streak and the flower brothers nut thats cause they played for Zimbabwe which is known to produce crap. In comparison streak and the flower brothers were god sends for that nation and happen to be their top 5 players. Breandon Taylor is another who makes said list.

As for chanderpaul. Lol he won 2004 CT, and is one of the best test batters of all time.

Again the people you are mentioning are all atg's or top 5 players of said country.

Mulder is competing with the likes of gibbs, De villers, QDK, Kallis, Klusner, and even players who despite not being atg's are solid solid players like Amla, Grame smith(who is an atg captain btw)

To be remembered you either need to top 5-10 players that your country has ever produced or have some sort of record that no one has broken.

For example Mark Boucher would have been an after throught if he didnt have the record for most catches held.

Mulder botched his chance. @RidiculousMan is 100% right in this regard.
 
Why not?

When Lara scored 375, he was new to the scene just like Mulder.

Did Lara stop at 364 to show respect to Gary Sobers? :inti

Sobers would have thrown a chappal at him if he did. The West Indies were about business
 
How can you be a legend if you are breaking the record of legends when you have the chance... Nobody remembers the number 2...

We all know he did it out of respect but it was a stupid one.
 
Since this thread is still going on along with countless other threads on other Social Media on Mulder's 367, my point stands.

Many of us don't remember the following All Time Records which I mentioned in a previous comment -

"Similar to how many people remember the 443 against Netherlands that Srilanka had smashed and that record stood for 10-12 years or Vaas's 8 fer against Zimbawe which still stands till date or Finch's 172 against same opponents in a T20In which btw is the highest T20I score"

These were all made against weaker or minnow opponents.

If Mulder even made 400+ , people would acknolwedge for a few days that yeah Lara's records has been broken and then forget about it SIMILAR to how many have forgotten Vaas's or Finch's records that still stand today.

However, because Mulder did what he did and that he is still the talk of the town, his 367 is going to be remembered or referenced now whenever a person comes close to around 350+ scores.

When next time a batter of a strong team is nearing 360 against a weak opponenet or a minnow, there will be a question whether that batter is going to go for Lara's record OR do a Mulder.
 
Lara said I should have broken his record - Mulder

Wiaan Mulder says Brian Lara told him he should have tried to break the record for the highest individual Test score instead of declaring on himself.

South Africa captain Mulder made 367 not out against Zimbabwe, but opted to declare 33 runs short of the 400 not out Lara made for West Indies against England in 2004.

At the time, Mulder said: "Brian Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be."

Following the Proteas' massive defeat of Zimbabwe in the second Test, Mulder told SuperSport: "I've chatted a little bit to Brian Lara. He said to me I'm creating my own legacy and I should have gone for it.

"He said records are there to be broken and he wishes if I'm ever in that position again I go and score more than what he had."

Mulder's 367 is the fifth-highest individual score in Test history, the best by a South African and the best by any batter playing in an away Test.

His effort took South Africa to 626-5 at lunch on day two of the second Test in Bulawayo. A tilt on Lara's record would not have negatively impacted the visitors' push for victory, which was eventually completed on the third day.

Mulder was captaining South Africa for the first time following injuries to Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj. He chose to declare following consultation with coach Shukri Conrad, who told him, "Let the legends keep the really big scores".

Despite gaining Lara's seal of approval, Mulder said he would not have changed his decision.

"It's super special and not something I would have dreamt of," said the 27-year-old.

"That was an interesting point of view from his side, but I still believe I did the right thing and respecting the game is the most important part for me."

Lara's effort in Antigua 21 years ago was the second time he broke the record. He made 375, also against England, in 1994, before Australia's Matthew Hayden passed that with 380 against Zimbabwe in Perth in 2003.

The other score ahead of Mulder is the 374 by Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene against South Africa in 2006.

Mulder's triple century was only the second by a South African, after Hashim Amla's 311 not out against England at The Oval in 2012. Mulder reached 300 from 297 balls, the second-fastest in Test cricket after the 278 taken by India's Virender Sehwag against South Africa in 2008.


 
Since this thread is still going on along with countless other threads on other Social Media on Mulder's 367, my point stands.

Many of us don't remember the following All Time Records which I mentioned in a previous comment -

"Similar to how many people remember the 443 against Netherlands that Srilanka had smashed and that record stood for 10-12 years or Vaas's 8 fer against Zimbawe which still stands till date or Finch's 172 against same opponents in a T20In which btw is the highest T20I score"

These were all made against weaker or minnow opponents.

If Mulder even made 400+ , people would acknolwedge for a few days that yeah Lara's records has been broken and then forget about it SIMILAR to how many have forgotten Vaas's or Finch's records that still stand today.

However, because Mulder did what he did and that he is still the talk of the town, his 367 is going to be remembered or referenced now whenever a person comes close to around 350+ scores.

When next time a batter of a strong team is nearing 360 against a weak opponenet or a minnow, there will be a question whether that batter is going to go for Lara's record OR do a Mulder.
It's social media age so every idiotic and stupid things gets discussed a thousand times. Doesn't mean that that's something amazing or sought after

Even the naagin dance was discussed many times and became the talk of the towm

After some day there will be something else stupid to discuss

The fact remains, breaking Laras record would have made Mulder immortal in test cricket. Instead of that he became another short lived controversy.
 
Like I said, he will become more famous (for the wrong reasons) for not wanting to break the record then he probably would have been if he did. It’s something that will follow him everywhere...something people will always ask him about, no matter where he goes.

The funniest thing about all of this is Lara saying he should have broken the record. Literally the one person he did this for doesn't think he did the right thing. :lara
 
It's social media age so every idiotic and stupid things gets discussed a thousand times. Doesn't mean that that's something amazing or sought after

Even the naagin dance was discussed many times and became the talk of the towm

After some day there will be something else stupid to discuss

The fact remains, breaking Laras record would have made Mulder immortal in test cricket. Instead of that he became another short lived controversy.

Why would it be immortal?

Hayden had broken Lara's record. Was it immortal then?

Though it was a monumental achievement, not many gave it the similar attention and fanfare then compared to Lara's 375 because one, Hayden did it against Zimbawe, a relatively weaker side (def way more stronger than what Mulder faced), in his own backyard and second because that record got broken by Lara again in less than a year's time.

Are Vaas's 8 fer in Odis or Finch's 172 in T20Is immortal?

As per your logic they are immortal as no one has passed them yet but no one really remembers them as proven by my previous posts.

Mulder just with these discussions and future 350+ scores will always be in talk because there are only Jayawardane, Hayden and Lara above him.

Individual glory is a very subjective thing in sports. Stats just provide weightage to that glory so fans can have discussions and do banter.

At the end it was Mulder's choice and he choose to follow his own principles while still ensuring the match was won and that glory not for him first, but for his team and country first was achieved, which is his own subjective decision.

However, by doing so he has put a new twist to individual glory hunt at the highest level - whether elite vs weak/minnow record drubbings should be reveered and counted as more than just stats.

And that is what is causing the dissonance in most people's minds.

This has not only created a paradox but also just because of this debate, Mulder's name will be referenced for sometime at least whenever an individual comes close to 350+ score.
 
Lara said I should have broken his record - Mulder

Wiaan Mulder says Brian Lara told him he should have tried to break the record for the highest individual Test score instead of declaring on himself.

South Africa captain Mulder made 367 not out against Zimbabwe, but opted to declare 33 runs short of the 400 not out Lara made for West Indies against England in 2004.

At the time, Mulder said: "Brian Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be."

Following the Proteas' massive defeat of Zimbabwe in the second Test, Mulder told SuperSport: "I've chatted a little bit to Brian Lara. He said to me I'm creating my own legacy and I should have gone for it.

"He said records are there to be broken and he wishes if I'm ever in that position again I go and score more than what he had."

Mulder's 367 is the fifth-highest individual score in Test history, the best by a South African and the best by any batter playing in an away Test.

His effort took South Africa to 626-5 at lunch on day two of the second Test in Bulawayo. A tilt on Lara's record would not have negatively impacted the visitors' push for victory, which was eventually completed on the third day.

Mulder was captaining South Africa for the first time following injuries to Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj. He chose to declare following consultation with coach Shukri Conrad, who told him, "Let the legends keep the really big scores".

Despite gaining Lara's seal of approval, Mulder said he would not have changed his decision.

"It's super special and not something I would have dreamt of," said the 27-year-old.

"That was an interesting point of view from his side, but I still believe I did the right thing and respecting the game is the most important part for me."

Lara's effort in Antigua 21 years ago was the second time he broke the record. He made 375, also against England, in 1994, before Australia's Matthew Hayden passed that with 380 against Zimbabwe in Perth in 2003.

The other score ahead of Mulder is the 374 by Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene against South Africa in 2006.

Mulder's triple century was only the second by a South African, after Hashim Amla's 311 not out against England at The Oval in 2012. Mulder reached 300 from 297 balls, the second-fastest in Test cricket after the 278 taken by India's Virender Sehwag against South Africa in 2008.


This going to put even more second doubts in Mulder's mind and he might regard much at the end of his career.

When your heroes tell you contrary to what you believe. You get a big cognitive dissonance.

The ship has sailed so to speak and he will always replay this scenario of him declaring before the record again and again.
 
It is a personal choice at end of the day. After batter scores so many runs and team has enough time to win game it is batter's decision of what to do.

Only thing I disagree is the way he tried to portray it as a tribute or something. It came off as cheap and trying too hard to get attention.

Lara is a great enough player that he doesn't need fans and other players to defend his legacy. Wiaan and SA team should focus on their careers and game instead of appointing themselves defenders of records.
 
It’s not about records but about sending a statement. Cementing my legacy here at 69k would immortalize the legend of Bhaijaan.

These are the last few days.
Enjoy these moments.
A reminder that only a few hundred posts to go before you retire and say good bye.

Post wisely. Post in favour of peace for a change.
 
Back
Top