Wiaan Mulder explained why he abruptly declared South Africa’s innings at lunch on Day 2 of the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe. For those unfamiliar, he was batting on 367* from 334 deliveries when the Proteas went into the break at 626/5 in 114 overs.

Mulder’s decision to stop South Africa’s first innings was motivated by a desire to preserve Brian Lara’s legacy, believing that the former West Indian great deserved to keep his record for the highest Test score (400* off 582 balls against England in 2004).

“(On why SA elected to declare) First, I felt we had enough and needed to bowl. Second, Brian Lara is a legend.

For someone of that stature to maintain that record is well-deserved. If given the opportunity to do it again, I would do it exactly the same way. I chatted with Shuks [head coach Shukri Conrad], who felt the same way. “Brian Lara is a legend, and he deserves to keep that record,” Mulder said at the end of the day’s play.

Mulder, who is filling in for full-time captain Keshav Maharaj, hit 49 fours and four sixes in a standout performance. With so, he surpassed several landmarks along the way, cementing this knock in the annals of the format. This was also the highest Test aggregate for a Proteas hitter in Tests, surpassing Graeme Smith’s 362.

South Africa took only 43 overs to dismiss Zimbabwe in their first innings. The hosts could manage only 170 on the board. Mulder & Co. had no hesitation to enforce the follow-on. Zimbabwe currently trail South Africa by 405 runs at Stumps on Day 2. The Mulder-led unit will be aiming to wrap up Zimbabwe’s innings by the end of the third day and clinch the series with a 0-2 margin.