Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle has slammed Wiaan Mulder for not trying to break Brian Lara’s record. Mulder scored an unbeaten 367* runs in the second Test against Zimbabwe. But instead of pushing for the highest Test score ever he declared the innings.
Gayle believes this was a big mistake. He said Mulder may have panicked. He called it a missed “once in a lifetime” chance.
“If I had the chance to score 400, I would take it,” Gayle said. “You never know when you’ll get to a triple-century again. You must grab that chance.”
Wiaan Mulder explained he declared out of respect for Lara’s record of 400 not out. Gayle understood that to some extent. But still, he felt Mulder made the wrong call.
“He said he wanted Lara to keep the record,” Gayle added. “That’s generous. But when you’re on 367 you must try. That’s how legends are made. Records build legends.”
Mulder 27 was playing his 21st Test. He came in early at No. 3 and faced 334 balls. He smashed 49 fours and 4 sixes. By the end of Day 1 he was on 264. On Day 2 he crossed 350. But right before lunch he was on 367. Then South Africa declared and never returned to bat.
Gayle called it a blunder. “You don’t know if he would’ve reached 400. But he didn’t even try. That’s the error,” Gayle said. “You don’t get chances like this often. He blew it.”
Some questioned if the record would have mattered because the opponent was Zimbabwe. Gayle disagreed.
“A Test match is a Test match,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who you play. Scoring big is never easy. Even one run can be tough. A century is a century. A triple century or 400 is still a huge achievement.”
He concluded, “He panicked. He made a mistake straight up.”
The cricket world is now debating the call. Even England captain Ben Stokes was asked about it.
Stokes said, “If you’re captain, it’s easier to declare yourself than stop someone else. He said he wanted Lara’s record to stay. But Wiaan Mulder likely won’t get that chance again. But still they have won the game.”