Former West Indies batter Chris Gayle has slammed South Africa all-rounder Wiaan Mulder for declaring the innings on 367* during the second Test against Zimbabwe, missing the chance to break Brian Lara’s long-standing record of 400, which is the highest individual score in Test cricket history. Gayle called Mulder’s call a "blunder" and said it was a golden opportunity lost.
Mulder became just the second South African to score a triple century in Test cricket after Hashim Amla’s unbeaten 311 against England at The Oval in 2012. He dominated the Zimbabwe bowlers and looked set to go after Lara’s world record. But with South Africa cruising at 626/5, Mulder, who was batting on 367, shocked everyone by declaring the innings. Later, Mulder revealed that his decision was a tribute to Lara.
"Brian Lara is a legend, let’s be real. He got 401 or whatever it was against England. And for someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special," Mulder had said.
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Chris Gayle Rips Into Wiaan Mulder’s Shocking Declaration
Chris Gayle, who himself has scored two triple-hundreds in Test cricket, did not agree with Wiaan Mulder’s call. Speaking on talkSPORT, he called it a missed chance and said South Africa’s stand-in captain may have panicked under pressure.
"I think it was an error from his side, not to try and go to get it. We don’t know if he would go on and get it or not. But he declared on 367, and he said what he had to say. But listen, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get 400 runs in a Test match. Come on, youngster, you’ve blown it big time!" Gayle said as quoted on talkSPORT.
"Come on, you’re on 367; automatically, you have to take a chance at the record. If you want to be a legend, how are you going to become a legend? Records come with being a legend," he added.
Gayle also acknowledged the weight of Lara’s achievement but pointed out that Test cricket does not offer such moments too often, regardless of the opposition.
"That doesn’t happen often. You don’t know when you’re going to get to a triple century again. Any time you get a chance like that, you try and make the best out of it. But he was so generous and said he wanted the record to stay with Brian Lara. Maybe he panicked; he didn’t know what to do in that situation."
In response to the argument that the innings came against Zimbabwe, a side with a less-superior bowling attack, Gayle said:
"It’s the same cricket, Test cricket,” Gayle said. “Sometimes you can’t even get one run against a team like Zimbabwe if you want to put it that way. It doesn’t matter the opponent, if you get 100 against any team, that’s a Test century. If you get a double or triple, 400, that’s Test cricket. That’s the ultimate game."
South Africa Clinch Series
South Africa went on to win the second Test comfortably by an innings and 236 runs, sealing the two-match series against Zimbabwe.
Mulder’s knock was instrumental in putting South Africa in control early. The bowlers backed it up with a disciplined performance across both innings. The victory ensured a 2-0 clean sweep for the Proteas.
Also read: ZIM vs SA 2nd Test: All Records Broken By Wiaan Mulder After His Historic 367* In Bulawayo
