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Wiaan Mulder etched his name into cricket history on Monday, becoming the first player to score over 350 runs and take a wicket in a Test match. This remarkable achievement occurred during the second Test of the ongoing series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. While he didn't break Brian Lara's individual score record of 400, Mulder's performance was nothing short of exceptional, showcasing his talent as a genuine all-rounder. Batting as the stand-in captain in the first innings, Mulder demonstrated incredible resilience and attacking prowess, smashing an unbeaten 367 off 334 balls. His innings included a staggering 49 boundaries and four towering sixes, completely demoralizing the Zimbabwean bowling attack. This monumental score not only propelled South Africa to a commanding position but also established a new benchmark for South African cricket, surpassing Hashim Amla's previous record of 311 runs set in July 2012. The Proteas declared their innings at 626/5 in 114 overs, placing immense pressure on the Zimbabwean batsmen.
Following the declaration, South Africa's bowlers, including Mulder, went to work quickly dismissing the Zimbabwean side for a mere 170 runs. Mulder contributed with two crucial wickets, first dismissing captain Craig Ervine for 17 and then bowling Wessly Madhevere for 25. This all-round performance firmly cemented Mulder's place in cricket history. Before Mulder's feat, the highest score by a player who also managed to take a wicket in a Test match was held by Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya, who scored 340 runs against India in 1997. In that match, Jayasuriya also managed to dismiss Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, and Rajesh Chauhan, proving his worth as a genuine all-rounder. Graham Gooch (333 against India) and Michael Clarke (329* against India) were other cricketers who were in the top four position for achieving this feat.. Virender Sehwag, the explosive Indian opener, had also achieved a similar feat, scoring 319 runs in Chennai and picking up the wickets of Mark Boucher and AB de Villiers. Mulder's performance has now surpassed all of these legendary cricketers, establishing a new standard for all-round excellence in Test cricket.
The complete list of highest scores achieved by players who have also taken at least one wicket in a Test match shows the magnitude of Mulder’s accomplishment. This list includes, Wiaan Mulder with 367 runs not out against Zimbabwe in 2025, Sanath Jayasuriya with 340 runs against India in 1997, Graham Gooch with 333 runs against India in 1990, Michael Clarke with 329* runs against India in 2012, and Virender Sehwag with 319 runs against South Africa in 2008. The statistics confirm Wiaan Mulder has risen to the top of this elite group of cricketers, solidifying his place in cricket history.
Mulder also revealed that he had the opportunity to become only the second batter in history to score 400 runs in an innings and take wickets, potentially surpassing Brian Lara's long-standing record of 400*. However, he chose to put the team first and declared the innings closed, prioritizing South Africa's chances of victory over personal glory. He stated that they had scored enough and needed to bowl. Secondly, Brian Lara is a legend. For someone of that stature to keep that record is deserved. If he got the chance to do it again, he’d do it the same way,' Mulder said while speaking after the day’s play. This decision highlights Mulder's leadership qualities and his respect for the game and its legends. His graciousness and team-first attitude have further endeared him to cricket fans around the world. Following South Africa's dominance in the first innings and their subsequent bowling performance, they asked Zimbabwe to follow on. At the end of the day, Zimbabwe found themselves at 51/1, facing a huge deficit. The day clearly belonged to Wiaan Mulder, who with both bat and ball demonstrated not just individual brilliance, but also leadership and respect for the game. His remarkable performance will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come as one of the greatest all-round performances in Test cricket history. The future of cricket is filled with potential and will surely bring even greater achievements as time passes. Mulder’s performance acts as inspiration for all athletes to keep striving for greatness and to uphold values such as leadership and respect.
Source: Wiaan Mulder Creates History, Bettering Jayasuriya, Sehwag; Becomes First Player to...