Records fell on the morning of Monday, July 7, as South Africa’s captain Wiaan Mulder went to lunch with an unbeaten score of 367 on the second day of the second Test match against Zimbabwe. However, South Africa declared during the lunch break at 625/5, leaving Mulder 33 runs shy of the highest individual score in Test cricket history – Brian Lara’s 400* against England.
Wiaan Mulder's historic 367 not out
On the second day of play at 264, Mulder began with a shaky start, nudging the ball through the slips to secure his first boundary of Monday. However, after frequently rotating the strike, he appeared at ease in the middle and was quick to capitalize on the bowlers’ length errors, pulling the short deliveries and driving the full ones effortlessly. Dewald Brevis, who seemed active in the initial half-hour, failed to take advantage of his chance after being dropped on 24. Just six runs later, he was caught behind, providing Zimbabwe with their sole success of the day.
Meanwhile, Mulder continued to accumulate runs rapidly, becoming the second South African, following Hashim Amla, to achieve a triple century. He reached this milestone by nudging a low full-toss from Tanaka Chivanga for a single through deep mid-wicket. He accomplished this in just his 297th delivery, making him the second fastest to reach this landmark, following Virender Sehwag’s 278-ball effort against South Africa in 2008.
A few overs later, he unleashed against Blessing Muzarabani, striking the pacer for three boundaries and surpassing Amla’s highest score of 311. The boundaries continued to flow from Mulder’s bat in the subsequent overs, particularly against Muzarabani, as he quickly ascended to become the fifth highest run-scorer in Test cricket when Lunch was called. Although Kyle Verreynne played a supporting role in the partnership, his unbeaten 42 contributed to the visitors adding 113 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket stand.
Zimbabwe gets all out and starts follow on
Mulder achieved his triple century in just 297 balls, making him the second fastest to reach this milestone, following Virender Sehwag’s 278-ball performance against South Africa in 2008. Not only did Mulder become the second South African, after Hashim Amla, to score a triple century, but he also surpassed Amla’s previous highest score of 311, now holding the record for the highest individual score by a South African. He exceeded Amla’s record by driving Blessing Muzarabani’s overpitched delivery for a boundary through the cover region.
The South African all-rounder also set the record for the highest individual score in an away Test, overtaking Hanif Mohammad’s 337 against the West Indies in 1958. He surpassed the scores of Sanath Jayasuriya (340), Len Hutton (364), and Sir Garry Sobers (365), currently ranking fifth among the highest scores in Test history. Besides Lara’s 400, Matthew Hayden’s 380, Brian Lara’s 375, and Mahela Jayawardene’s 374 are the other three scores that precede Mulder’s 367.
South Africa declared their innings at the break, maintaining their dominance in the match. Zimbabwe was dismissed for 170, despite a spirited unbeaten 83 from Sean Williams, who struck seven boundaries and two sixes during his 55-ball innings before the South African bowlers dismissed the remaining batsmen. Prenelan Subrayen celebrated his Test debut with a four-wicket haul as the hosts were asked to follow on. To further enhance the celebratory atmosphere, Mulder also contributed with two wickets.
Zimbabwe displayed improved batting performance in their second innings. Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Dion Myers resisted for over nine overs until the latter was dismissed by Corbin Bosch. However, Kaitano showed greater resilience as the hosts ended the day at Stumps with a score of 51 for 1.
SCORECARD: South Africa 626/5 decl. (Wiaan Mulder 277*, David Bedingham 82; Tanaka Chivanga 2-112) lead Zimbabwe 170 (Sean Williams 83*; Prenelan Subrayen 4-42) & 51/1 (Takudzwanashe Kaitano 34*) by 405 runs