On Monday, Proteas captain Wiaan Mulder scored a record-breaking 367* to lead South Africa to a formidable 526/5 before declaring at lunch.

Mulder now holds the South African record for the highest individual score in a Test innings – and it’s also the fifth-highest score in Test history.

Wiaan Mulder. Photo: Cricinfo

He looked well on track to challenge the world record of 400* set by Brian Lara in 2004 against England in St John’s. Remarkably, ten years earlier, Lara had also scored 375 against the same opposition at the same ground – the third-highest score in Test history.

However, Mulder chose to declare South Africa’s innings at the lunch interval.

Zimbabwe’s first innings got off to a disastrous start when Takudzwanashe Kaitano was caught behind off the very first ball, bowled by Codi Yusuf. The Proteas then dismissed Zimbabwe for just 170, enforcing the follow-on.

While the day undoubtedly belonged to Mulder, debutant Prenelan Subrayen also made a big impression with figures of 4/42.

Hashim Amla. Photo: Cricinfo

Zimbabwe will resume their second innings this morning at Queens Sports Club on 51/1, still trailing by 405 runs.

Before Zimbabwe knew what hit them, they had slumped to 56/5 after just 19 overs. Despite a valiant unbeaten 83 by Sean Williams, the hosts were bowled out for 170 in 43 overs, and South Africa enforced the follow-on.

Subrayen, the Dolphins captain, was the standout performer among the South African bowlers with 4/42 from 10 overs, while Yusuf and Mulder claimed two wickets each.

At the close of play, Zimbabwe were on 51/1 after 16 overs and staring down the barrel of another heavy Test defeat.

After the day’s play, Mulder expressed his delight at surpassing Hashim Amla’s long-standing record for the highest individual score by a South African batter in Test cricket.

“I’ve worked a bit with Hashim Amla over the last couple of years, and he’s obviously a Hall of Famer,” said Mulder. “So it’s truly special to go past his record, but at the same time, I’ve always felt like legends deserve to hold certain accolades.

“I’m by no means close to being a legend, so someone like Hash deserves to keep that record. But I guess it was just my destiny, and I’ll take it as it comes.”

Mulder added that there were two main reasons he chose not to chase Lara’s 21-year-old world record.

Brian Lara. Photo: Cricinfo

“First and foremost, the main thing is to win the Test match. I felt we were in a good position to do that, and there was no need for me to keep batting.

“Also, I think it’s important to respect the game. Someone like Brian Lara deserves to hold that record – he’s one of the greatest to ever play the game.

“I think we’re still in a strong position to win this match, and that’s what really matters.”

Zimbabwe will resume their second innings at 10:00 on Tuesday morning, still trailing the Proteas by 405 runs.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg