South Africa Coach Stopped Wiaan Mulder from Chasing 400, Wanted to “Let the Legend Keep It”

South Africa Coach Stopped Wiaan Mulder from Chasing 400: Wiaan Mulder stunned the cricket world with a record-breaking 367* in the second Test against Zimbabwe but made headlines for another reason – not going for Brian Lara’s 400. South Africa’s acting captain revealed that head coach Shukri Conrad told him during lunch on Day 2 not to go for personal records. “Let the legends keep the really big scores,” Conrad said, and Mulder declared with the team on 626/5, 33 runs short of rewriting history.

Mulder was bowled on 247 but was saved by a no-ball as Tanaka Chivanga overstepped.

Mulder explained his decision to the former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock on Supersport. “I thought we had enough and we need to bowl,” he said. “Secondly, Brian Lara is a legend, let’s be real. He got 401, or whatever it was, against England. For someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special.

Mulder explained the reasons behind his decision when speaking at stumps on the second day.

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"You never know what is destined for me, but Brian Lara keeping that record (of the highest score in Tests) is exactly the way it should be" Mulder said to Shaun Pollock in the post-match interview, revealing the reason behind the declaration.

"I thought we got enough from the new-ball and secondly, Brian Lara is a legend.

"He got 400 against England - for someone of that stature, to keep that record is pretty special. I think if I get the chance again, I will probably do the same thing.

Lara, the former West Indies captain, is one of cricket’s legends, scoring almost 12,000 runs in test cricket at an average of 52.88 per innings, including 24 centuries and 48 half-centuries from 1990 to 2006.

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In a couple of months in 1994, he set records for highest scores in test cricket (375 against England) and first-class cricket (501 not out). After losing the test record to Australia’s Matthew Hayden who scored 380 against Zimbabwe in October 2003, Lara regained the record with an unbeaten 400 six months later in 2004.

His decision paid off as he immediately took two wickets in consecutive overs and a sharp catch, helping dismiss Zimbabwe for 170. South Africa continued the follow-on and had the hosts at 51/1 by stumps, with a 405-run lead.

Interestingly, Mulder revealed that to stay mentally alert throughout his marathon innings, he was playing “Zombie” by The Cranberries in his mind – a trick that kept him in rhythm at the crease. While Lara’s 400* remains, Mulder’s selflessness and all-round excellence was one of the greatest performances in recent Test history.

“I never even dreamt of getting a double hundred, never mind a triple hundred but it's super special,” Mulder said. “The most important thing is to put the team in a good position to hopefully win this Test.”

Head coach Shukri Conrad praised his captain’s performance: “Wiaan’s innings was extraordinary. Batting at No.3, facing the new ball, and showing such composure — it was a masterclass.”

South Africa declared on 626-5, their highest total in nine years, before rolling Zimbabwe for 170. Test debutant Prenelan Subrayen, 31, impressed with 4-42, while Mulder added two wickets and a catch to his all-round performance.Williams was the only one who fought back, ill and all, and smashed 83 off 55 balls — the fastest half-century in Zimbabwean Test history.

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