A Historic 367 Not Out Propels South Africa, But a Declaration Denies a Shot at the Record

Wiaan Mulder, serving as South Africa's stand-in captain, achieved a remarkable feat by scoring an unbeaten 367 runs against Zimbabwe on Monday. This score places him as the fifth-highest individual score in Test cricket history. Despite being close to the record for the most runs in a Test innings, Mulder declared his side's innings.

Leading the team for the first time in a two-Test series at Bulawayo's Queens Sports Club, Mulder's innings was marked by 53 boundaries, including 49 fours and four sixes. His performance propelled South Africa to a score of 626-5 at lunch on the second day of the second Test.

With ample time remaining in the match, it was anticipated that Mulder would continue batting into the second session to challenge Brian Lara's 21-year-old record of 400 not out. However, he chose to declare at lunch, giving Zimbabwe the opportunity to bat.

The 27-year-old all-rounder entered the crease at number three, with South Africa at 24-2 after being put in to bat on Sunday. He concluded the first day with an unbeaten 264, guiding his team to a score of 465-4.

Mulder's innings included a fortunate moment when he was bowled at 247, but the delivery was deemed a no-ball due to Tanaka Chivanga's overstepping. The remainder of his innings was largely flawless, as he reached his 300 in the morning session, achieving the second-fastest triple century in Test cricket. He surpassed Hashim Amla's record for a South African test score and reached 350 before lunch.

Mulder's final score of 367 not out placed him among the elite, ahead of notable triple-centurions like Gary Sobers and Donald Bradman. He now sits behind Lara, Matthew Hayden, and Mahela Jayawardene in the all-time list of highest individual scores in Test cricket.