Brian Lara is a legend and he deserves to keep the 400 record: Wiaan Mulder

Wiaan Mulder shared why he abruptly decided to declare South Africa's innings at Lunch on Day 2 of the second Test of the two-match series against Zimbabwe. For the unversed, he was batting on 367* off 334 deliveries before the Proteas went into the interval at 626/5 in 114 overs.

The main reason behind Mulder opting to call an end to South Africa's first innings was that he wanted to keep Brian Lara's legacy intact and felt that the former West Indian great deserved to retain the feat for the highest Test score (400* off 582 balls against England in 2004) to his name. 

"(On why SA chose to declare) Firstly, I thought we had enough, and we needed to bowl. Secondly, Brian Lara is a legend. For someone of that stature to keep that record is deserved. If I get the chance to do it again, I’d do it exactly the same way. I spoke to Shuks [head coach Shukri Conrad] and he felt the same way. Brian Lara is a legend and he deserves to keep that record," stated Mulder at the end of the day's play.

Mulder, who is serving as an acting captain in place of full-time skipper Keshav Maharaj, struck a total of 49 fours and four sixes in what was a special knock from the all-rounder. With that, he eclipsed quite a few milestones along the way and cemented this knock into the annals of the format. This was also the highest Test aggregate by a Proteas batter in Tests, going past Graeme Smith's 362.

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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.