Wiaan Mulder was handed the captaincy for South Africa‘s second Test against Zimbabwe after skipper Keshav Maharaj was sidelined due to a groin injury. Despite the unexpected responsibility, Mulder rose to the occasion and made history by posting the highest score by a batter on Test captaincy debut. He achieved this incredible feat on Day 2 of the match in Bulawayo.

Mulder surpassed New Zealand’s Graham Dowling, who had amassed 239 in his first innings as skipper, against India in Christchurch in 1968.

Having lost the toss, South Africa was put into bat, and Zimbabwe initially appeared to have made the right call by removing both openers for just 24 runs. However, Mulder steadied the ship with a counterattack, dismantling the Zimbabwean bowlers. He formed crucial partnerships with David Bedingham (82) and Lutho Sipamla (78).

Dewald Brevis joined Mulder at the crease and contributed 30 runs off 35 balls before being dismissed by Kundai Matigimu. South Africa were 605, with Mulder leading the way with a remarkable 358 runs. He has already etched his name in the record books with his triple century.

Wiaan Mulder Joins Elite 300 club

Mulder is only the second South African after Hashim Amla to score a triple century in Test cricket.

He achieved the milestone in 297 balls, making it the second-fastest triple century in Test cricket, just behind Virender Sehwag’s 278 balls against South Africa in Chennai in 2008.

Mulder also holds the record for the highest score by a South African captain in Test cricket, solidifying his place in the game’s history. He recorded the highest individual score by a South African batter in a Test innings, surpassing Hashim Amla’s previous best of 312.