Daijiworld Media Network - Bulawayo
Bulawayo, Jul 7: Wiaan Mulder carved his name into cricketing history with an extraordinary triple-century in the second Test against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club, becoming the highest individual scorer in South African Test history.
Captaining the side for the first time in the absence of Keshav Maharaj, the 27-year-old all-rounder displayed remarkable composure and authority as he turned his overnight score of 264* into a monumental 367 not out by lunch on Day 2. His marathon innings eclipsed Hashim Amla’s 311 against England in 2012*, setting a new national benchmark.
Mulder walked in with South Africa reeling at 24 for 2, following early breakthroughs by Tanaka Chivanga and Wellington Masakadza. What followed was a captain’s masterclass: a mix of solid defense, elegant strokeplay, and commanding presence. His 184-run stand with David Bedingham steadied the innings, while a blistering 217-run fourth-wicket partnership with Lhuan-dre Pretorius off just 185 balls pushed South Africa into dominant territory. It is now the second-highest fourth-wicket stand by a South African pair away from home.
By stumps on Day 1, Mulder had already achieved a historic feat—264 runs in a single day, the most by a South African and second-most globally for the opening day of a Test. Resuming on Day 2, he wasted little time in converting his score into a triple century, reaching the milestone in just 297 balls, which was at the time the second-fastest triple ton in Test history.
His double century, which came off 214 deliveries, placed him behind only Herschelle Gibbs in terms of speed among South Africans. Now with 367 not out, Mulder has rewritten the national record books and stands within sight of Brian Lara’s iconic 400 Test record*, set in 2004.
South Africa, riding high on Mulder’s epic knock, reached 626 for 5 by lunch on Day 2, firmly in control of the match. It’s a performance not only etched in numbers but one that marks the emergence of a new leader in South African cricket.