South Africa's stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder etched his name in the history books by refusing to break one of the most coveted records in cricket – the highest individual score in a Test innings.
On the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Mulder found himself 33 runs shy of West Indies great Brian Lara's record of 400 not out which was set 21 years ago against England in Antigua.
With South Africa well-placed on 626-5 at lunch on the second day, Mulder was expected to go for the record and declare. However, the Proteas declared the innings at lunch, with Mulder passing the opportunity to break Lara's record and remaining not out at 367. His innings came off just 334 balls and included 49 fours and four sixes.
Following the surprise decision, all-rounder Mulder was asked we he did not go after the record.
“First things first. I thought we’d got enough and needed a bowl. And, secondly, Brian Lara is a legend, let’s be real,” Mulder said at the close of play.
“He got 400 against England and for someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special. I think if I get the chance again, I'd probably do the same thing.”
The 27-year-old said he also got support from coach Shukri Conrad.
“He said to me, ‘Let the legends keep the really big scores’. And you know, you never know what's my fate or what's destined for me, but I think Brian Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be.”
Still, Mulder finished with the fifth-highest Test score of all time after being 264 not out overnight.
Mulder then took two wickets as South Africa dismissed Zimbabwe for 170 in their reply and forced the follow-on.
Mulder is leading the side for the first time as a depleted Proteas take on their neighbours in a two-match series.
He had brought up 300 runs in Monday's morning session, scoring them off 297 balls for the second fastest triple century in Tests, and then passed Hashim Amla's record score for a South African of 311 not out against England at the Oval in 2012 and got to 350 in 324 balls.
Mulder was recently promoted up the order and before his triple ton averaged only 26.20 in 33 Test innings.
“To be honest with you, I've never even dreamt of getting a double hundred, never mind a triple hundred,” he said.
“But it’s super special and the most important thing is putting the team in a good position to hopefully win this Test.”
Mulder said playing county cricket for Leicestershire in England as well as batting in domestic cricket on the notoriously tricky Wanderers pitch in Johannesburg had helped him hone his game.
“Going to England gave me a chance to understand what kind of batter I wanted to be and to figure out some technical things.”
He also said current Zimbabwe coach Justin Sammons had played a big role while he was coaching in South Africa, particularly in playing the short ball.
FIXTURES
All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Brackets denote aggregate score
Tuesday:
Roma (1) v Shakhtar Donetsk (2), 11.45pm
Manchester United (0) v Sevilla (0), 11.45pm
Wednesday:
Besiktas (0) v Bayern Munich (5), 9pm
Barcelona (1) v Chelsea (1), 11.45pm
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Price, base: From Dh77,900
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Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Prophets of Rage
(Fantasy Records)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
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PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books
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