Mulder makes history with record-breaking double century as stand-in skipper
BULAWAYO: South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder produced a sensational unbeaten 264 to etch his name into the record books on the opening day of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Sunday. Standing in as captain for the injured Keshav Maharaj, the 27-year-old all-rounder not only led from the front but also set a new benchmark for debut Test skippers.
Mulder’s knock is now the highest score by a player in his first innings as Test captain, surpassing Graham Dowling’s 239 for New Zealand set 56 years ago. His innings, which included 35 boundaries, came off just 278 balls and powered South Africa to a commanding 465/4 at stumps.
Promoted to number three after his century in the first Test, Mulder built strong partnerships — 184 with David Bedingham (82) and 217 with teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius (78) — to demoralize Zimbabwe’s bowlers. Mulder reached his hundred in 118 balls, his double century in 214, making it the second-fastest double ton by a South African in Test cricket.
Zimbabwe had made early inroads by removing openers Tony de Zorzi and debutant Lesogo Senokwane cheaply, but failed to capitalise. A late twist saw Mulder bowled on 247, only to be recalled due to a no-ball.
With Dewald Brevis unbeaten on 15, Mulder will look to push South Africa past 500 when play resumes on Monday after bad light ended proceedings early.
