The three words which saved Brian Lara’s all-time record Test score of 400 from Wiaan Mulder

Brian Lara’s historic all-time record of 400 was under threat, before a shock decision ended the potentially history making innings. This is how one of cricket’s proudest records was saved.

South African captain Wiaan Mulder turned his back on one of cricket’s greatest records because his coach told him some things in life are simply too precious to touch.

And Brian Lara’s world record score of 400 is one of them.

Mulder’s 367 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo was just 33 shy of Lara’s iconic 400 against England as the biggest individual score in Test history.

Leading South African journalist Neil Manthorp revealed the decision to declare at lunch at 5-626 with Mulder just short of the record was made by coach Shukri Conrad.

“Conrad calls the shots in the South African change room,’’ Manthorp said.

“It was not Mulder’s decision to declare.’’

Wiaan Mulder was closing in on history. Picture: Getty Images

Speaking of the call after stumps, Mulder did not deny the coach’s sway.

“Speaking to coach Shukri Conrad (Shuks) he kinda said to me: ‘Listen, let the legends keep the really good scores’.

“I thought we had enough and we need to bowl. Secondly, Brian Lara is a legend. Let’s be real. For someone of that stature to keep the record is pretty special.’’

The decision had echoes of Mark Taylor’s gracious call to declare an Australian innings against Pakistan when he was on 334 not out, then the highest Australian Test score shared with Don Bradman.

West Indies captain Brian Lara is greeted by teammates after beating the world's highest score in Test cricket. Picture: AP

Taking the record against a desperately weak Zimbabwean side just didn’t feel right for Mulder though some observers such as Wisden editor Lawrence Booth felt he should have done it.

“Mulder would have been well within his rights to go for Lara’s record,’’ Booth said.

“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?

“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.” 

SOUTH AFRICAN DECLARES WITH LARA, HAYDEN, RECORDS IN HIS SIGHTS

– Matthew McInerney

Brian Lara’s historic all-time record of 400 was under threat with South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder on the brink of making Test history, before a shock decision ended his shot at history.

Mulder was unbeaten on 367 from a staggering 334 balls at lunch on day two of the Second Test against Zimbabwe, and had three of the greatest Test batsmen in history in his sights as he pursued the record for the highest runs scored in an innings.

But Mulder, the first-time captain, declared during lunch, ending his chance at further history with South Africa at 5-626.

Sri Lankan great Mahela Jayawardene was the next name on the leaderboard (374 v SA, 2006), with Matthew Hayden’s 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003 sandwiched between two Lara knocks.

The West Indies legend scored 375 against England in 1994, then a decade later plundered an unbeaten 400 – a mark which has stood for more than 21 years.

But Mulder could have taken a blowtorch to that mark.

South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder is on the brink of Test history. Picture: Getty Images

At lunch on day two, he’d smashed 49 boundaries and four sixes to take South Africa to 5-626, and rarely looked troubled against a well-beaten Zimbabwe attack.

Mulder had already left some all time greats in the rear view mirror.

He passed Leonard Hutton (364 v Australia in 1938) and the legendary Sir Gary Sobers, who cranked an unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in 1958.

Further down the list are the Australians in Dave Warner (335*), Mark Taylor (334*), Don Bradman (334) and Michael Clarke (329*).

Mulder already surpassed Hashim Amla’s unbeaten 311 against England in 2012 for the highest score by a South African in a Test match.

This Test series has had a staggering impact on his career figures, too, as he brought up the second and now third centuries of his Test career.

Before the first Test, he averaged 22.21 with the bat. With his unbeaten 367, that has ballooned to 38.43.

Originally published as The three words which saved Brian Lara’s all-time record Test score of 400 from Wiaan Mulder