South Africa’s dashing all-rounder Wiaan Mulder created a stir in the second Test match played against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo recently.

He created history by playing an unbeaten innings of 367 runs, but he fell just 33 runs short of breaking West Indies legend Brian Lara’s world record of 400 runs.

Mulder declared his team’s innings at 626/5 at lunch time. But now it has been revealed that Lara himself had told him,

“Brother, should have gone for the record!”

Mulder’s masterstroke

Mulder, who was the captain of South Africa in this match, had earlier said that the record of a legend like Lara should not be broken.

But later while talking to SuperSport, he said, “I had a little chat with Lara. He said that I am creating my own legacy and I should have tried to break the record of 400 runs. Lara said that records are made to be broken.”

Mulder also said that he is still happy with his decision, because for him respect for the game is of utmost importance.

Mulder’s innings of 367 runs is the fifth highest innings in Test cricket and the highest score for South Africa. He scored a triple century in just 297 balls, which is the second fastest triple century in Test history.

This innings included 49 fours and 4 sixes. Mulder broke Hashim Amla’s record of 311 runs and also made the record of making the highest Test score on foreign soil.

Lara’s record and Chris Gayle’s advice

Lara had set a world record by scoring 400 runs against England in Antigua in 2004. Mulder’s coach Shukri Conrad had told him,

“Leave the big scores for the greats.”

But Chris Gayle did not like Mulder’s decision.

Gayle said on Talksport, “Mulder probably got nervous. You don’t get such an opportunity again and again. If I had got a chance to score 400 runs, I would have definitely gone. You become great only by breaking records.”

This innings of Mulder gave South Africa a resounding victory over Zimbabwe by an innings and 236 runs.

Now the question is, if Mulder gets such an opportunity again, will he go to break Lara’s record?