Wiaan Mulder’s triple century has etched his name into cricket’s elite record books. Batting against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, the stand-in South African captain hammered an unbeaten 367 runs, securing the fifth-highest individual score in Test history. His innings stood just 33 runs short of Brian Lara’s iconic 400*, but Mulder chose to declare at lunch, prioritizing the team’s strategy.

Mulder’s 367*: A Historic Test Milestone

This remarkable innings came in only his 21st Test and on debut as captain. Mulder joined a rare group of cricketers, becoming only the 29th player to score a triple hundred in Test cricket. Additionally, he became just the second South African to achieve this milestone, following Hashim Amla’s 311* in 2012.

Wiaan Mulder’s triple century arrived swiftly, as he reached the mark from just 297 deliveries, making it the second-fastest triple ton after Virender Sehwag’s 278-ball effort in 2008. After reaching 300, he accelerated further, scoring 67 more runs in only 37 balls alongside Kyle Verreynne.

Record Books Rewritten by Mulder

During the innings, Mulder surpassed historic scores such as Len Hutton’s 364 and Garry Sobers’ 365*. By lunch on Day 2, South Africa declared at 626 for 5. The aggressive knock featured 49 fours and 4 sixes, and his final strike rate of 109.88 became the highest ever recorded by a Test triple-centurion.

Despite nearing Lara’s all-time record of 400*, Mulder opted for a declaration. This bold decision emphasized leadership over personal milestones, reflecting his maturity while captaining in place of the injured Keshav Maharaj.

A Rare Feat by a South African Captain

It was the first time a South African captain had notched a Test triple-century. Wiaan Mulder’s triple century will now be remembered not only for its scale but also for the spirit in which it was played.

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