TO BE OR NOT TO BE: ‘Should Mulder have chased history?’

Wiaan Mulder is among the least likely professional cricketers to intentionally divide world opinion but his extraordinary innings of 367* - and the lunchtime declaration within 33 runs of equalling West Indian great Brian Lara’s world record – continues to do exactly that. And it may well do so for the rest of his life.

Mulder’s innings came from just 334 balls and contained a remarkable 49 fours and four sixes in a total of 626-5 against a modest Zimbabwe bowling attack on a flat pitch at Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo. There are many sceptics who believe those factors alone made the record ‘undeserving.’ Equally, there are many who say ‘so what?’

An unforgettable series for Wiaan Mulder. A truly exceptional batting display, amassing 531 runs across the two Tests 🔥💪🇿🇦

His dominant form not only earned him the Player of the Match honour in the second Test, but also the richly deserved Player of the Series award 🤝🏏.… pic.twitter.com/iXlxVJXUxL

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 8, 2025

Mulder shot past Hashim Amla’s national record score of 311* without even noticing (“When I looked at the scoreboard I thought ‘how did that happen’?”) and continued to score at a furious rate in the final half hour of the session, passing Sir Gary Sobers’ at 365 before reaching fifth place on the all-time list behind Lara (400 and 375), Matthew Hayden (380) and Mahela Jayawardene (374).

The declaration was not immediate at the interval and Mulder’s comments confirmed that it was not (entirely) his decision. “I spoke to (coach) Shukri (Conrad) and he said that maybe the greats of the game deserved to be respected, but the main thing was winning the test match.”

Amla’s marathon at The Oval against a high-quality England attack in 2008 was the first, and only, triple-century by a South African before his. Did Mulder have any qualms about smashing that record?

“A little bit…he’s a Hall-of-Famer so it was truly special top go past his record. I do believe that the legends deserve to keep the accolades and hold the records, and I am by no means in that category, but I guess it was my destiny so I’ll take it as it comes,” Mulder said afterwards.

“The main thing is winning the test match and I thought we were in a good position to do that without having to bat any longer. And also, respecting the game is important and letting Brian Lara, one of the greatest to play the game, keep his record was doing that.

Captaincy debut. Triple century. Three wickets. Innings win. Wiaan Mulder’s had himself a game ⭐ pic.twitter.com/AUsvwSGYvR

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 8, 2025

There is a significant disparity in the esteem in which Mulder’s regards the milestone records. He also intimated that the decision to ‘respect’ Lara’s sanctimony at the top of the list may not have been as straightforward as is now perceived.

“Scoring 400 runs would be amazing because test runs don’t come easy. So, there’s a lot in any test batter who would want to get as many as they can when you feel like you’re playing well. But legends of the game deserve certain accolades and his 401, or whatever the exact number was, is important. He inspired many people to play the game and deserves to keep that record,” Mulder said. For a man so respectful of records, it sounded odd that he wasn’t sure what Lara’s was.

“Mulder would have been well within his rights to go for Lara’s record. Matthew Hayden had no issues with hammering Zimbabwe for 380, breaking Lara’s first record back in 2003, so why should Mulder have felt squeamish?” said Lawrence Booth, the long-serving editor of the game’s ultimate keeper of records, the Wisden Almanack.

“Zimbabwe is an ICC full member nation, and this is a test match. Cricket’s ‘morality police’ should always be ignored in moments like this,” Booth said.

“Records exist to be broken, not genuflected to. When Mulder is old and grey, he may look back and wonder why he spurned a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. South African test cricket needs all the help it can get. Imagine being World test champions AND possessing the test record-holder, all in the space of a few weeks,” said Booth.

‘Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ probably doesn’t do it justice. The vast majority of the best batters in the world never come close to such a chance. But maybe, instead of regret, Mulder may live out the rest of his days in happy contentment at the lack of vitriole about pick-pocketing one of the game’s crown jewels against a weak bowling attack in one of the game’s quieter backwaters. The debate will be had for as long as most of us are alive. And beyond.