South Africa's acting captain in the second Test against Zimbabwe, Wiaan Mulder, rewrote the record books on day 2 of the match. He became the first batter to score a triple century on his captaincy debut and almost broke Brian Lara’s untouchable record of 400*, the most runs by a batter in a Test innings.

Wiaan Mulder had resumed on day 2 on 264* with South Africa on 465/4 and reached his triple century in 297 balls, becoming the second Proteas batter to do so after Hashim Amla, who had made 311* against England.

Soon, Mulder went past Amla and became South Africa’s highest scorer in Tests and recorded his 350 in 324 balls. Mulder was looking set to go past Brian Lara’s record of 400*, set in 2004 against England.

South Africa went to lunch on 626/5 and just before the innings was to resume, Mulder decided to declare the innings, with so much time left and him being on the cusp of record. He ended with 367* with 49 fours and 4 sixes in 334 balls.

Apart from him, David Bedingham (82) and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (78) made fifties. Mulder also got near to hitting the most fours in a Test innings, falling short of John Edrich’s record of 52 fours.

Mulder’s 367* is now the fifth-highest individual score in Tests, behind only Mahela Jayawardene (374), Lara (375), Matthew Hayden (380), and Lara (400*). His innings strike rate of 109.88 is now the best among all triple-centurions.

Wiaan Mulder spoke about his record-breaking innings after the day’s play in Bulawayo.

“Pretty special. To be honest, I have never even dreamt of getting a double hundred, let alone a triple hundred. Most importantly, it has put the team in a good position to win this Test. When I started playing for South Africa, I was nowhere near good enough. Have had the opportunity to learn from some great players (past and present). Going to England really gave me a chance to understand what kind of batter (I want to be) and figure out (my weaknesses). Lots of lessons (from my time in England). There were so many thoughts like you have got enough,” Mulder was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

“When I got bowled on 247, a lapse of concentration, there was so much negative happening. But there was a lot of positive (thinking) happening as well. Just singing my song between balls, trying to keep myself natural and present, tried feeling my shoes to stay in the moment and not think too far ahead. When I went past Hash's (Hashim Amla's) score, I did not notice (it at first) but it was pretty special. In Bangladesh, it was an Afrikaans song (that I was singing). Whenever I got stuck (in this innings), I kept singing and sometimes, I sang it out loud to keep me in the present,” he added.

Mulder touched upon the subject of not going for Brian Lara’s record of 400* and declaring South African innings with him so close to the record.

“First things first. We had enough to bowl (at). Brian Lara is a legend. He got 400 or 401 or something against England and for someone to keep that record, it is special. I spoke to Shuks (Shukri Conrad) - and spoke about letting the legends keep (that record). Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be,” he signed off.

Meanwhile, the cricket fraternity reacted in amazement at Mulder’s decision to declare the South African innings, but were unanimous in praising his amazing knock.

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