### Brian Lara Urges Wiaan Mulder to Chase His Test Record After Near Miss In a recent conversation, legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara expressed his disappointment that South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder did not attempt to break his long-standing record for the highest individual score in Test cricket. During a Test match against Zimbabwe, Mulder scored an impressive 367 runs but declared his innings just 34 runs short of Lara's record of 400 not out, set in 2004. Lara suggested that Mulder should have seized the opportunity to "create his own legacy" by going for the record, emphasizing that such milestones are meant to be challenged and broken [https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/cricket/news/lara-tells-mulder-he-should-have-gone-the-record-test-score-3937726][https://www.india.com/sports/brian-lara-disagrees-with-wiaan-mulders-decision-urges-him-to-chase-400-if-given-another-chance-7939712]. ### Breakdown of the Situation and Reactions 1. **Mulder's Performance**: - Wiaan Mulder scored 367 not out in the second Test against Zimbabwe, marking the highest score by a South African in Test history and the fifth highest overall [https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/brian-lara-told-me-that-i-should-have-tried-to-break-record-mulder/20250711.htm]. - He declared his innings out of respect for Lara's record, believing it was inappropriate to surpass a legend [https://www.india.com/sports/chris-gayle-slams-wiaan-mulder-for-passing-up-chance-to-break-iconic-brian-laras-400-run-test-record-7935197]. 2. **Lara's Advice**: - Brian Lara communicated to Mulder that he should have gone for the record, stating that records are meant to be broken and that Mulder had a unique opportunity to make history [https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/cricket/2025-07-11-lara-said-i-should-have-gone-for-his-record-mulder]. - Lara's encouragement highlights the competitive spirit inherent in cricket, where players are often motivated to surpass existing records [https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/mulder-reveals-lara-wanted-him-to-chase-world-record-score]. 3. **Criticism from Peers**: - Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle criticized Mulder for not pursuing the record, suggesting that he "blew" a once-in-a-lifetime chance [https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/you-blew-it-gayle-slams-mulder-for-declaring-on-367/20250709.htm]. - Gayle's comments reflect a broader sentiment in the cricket community that players should take risks to achieve greatness [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3500404-the-legacy-dilemma-wiaan-mulders-missed-record-and-brian-laras-encouragement]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Mulder's Innings**: - Scored: 367 not out - Runs short of record: 34 - Historical context: Fifth highest individual score in Test cricket and highest by a South African [https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/cricket/wiaan-mulder-skips-brian-laras-record-but-west-indies-legend-urges-him-to-chase-his-own-legacy]. - **Lara's Record**: - Record score: 400 not out - Year set: 2004 against England - Duration of record: 21 years [https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/brian-lara-disagrees-with-wiaan-mulders-makes-special-request-after-proteas-skipper-snubs-400-run-milestone-article-152262368]. ### Conclusion: The Legacy Dilemma in Cricket **Wiaan Mulder's decision to declare at 367 not out has sparked significant debate within the cricketing community.** 1. **Mulder's Respect for Legacy**: He prioritized respect for Lara's record over personal achievement, believing it was not his place to surpass a cricketing icon [https://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20250712/mulder-lara-says-i-should-have-gone-record]. 2. **Lara's Encouragement**: Lara's advice to pursue records emphasizes the competitive nature of sports and the importance of legacy in cricket [https://www.sacricketmag.com/mulder-lara-told-me-i-should-have-gone-for-the-record]. 3. **Peer Reactions**: Criticism from figures like Chris Gayle highlights the pressure on players to chase records and the expectations that come with high performance [https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/cricket/2025/Jul/09/mulder-has-the-final-hand-as-south-africa-trounces-zimbabwe-in-heaviest-innings-defeat-in-20-years]. In summary, while Mulder's innings was historic, the conversation surrounding his decision to declare raises questions about legacy, respect, and the pursuit of greatness in cricket.