Wiaan Mulder has been in the news recently for declaring on 367*, in honour of Brian Lara, who possesses the world record of the highest individual score – making it one of the most controversial declarations in Test cricket.
Wiaan Mulder declares on 367* - South Africa vs Zimbabwe, 2025
Wiaan Mulder, standing in as South Africa’s captain, was unstoppable in the second Test against Zimbabwe. He brought up his third Test hundred, before converting it into a triple ton, reaching the milestone in just 297 balls - the second-fastest to the landmark.
Lunch was taken when Mulder was on 367* on day two, standing within touching distance of Brian Lara’s record. Much to the surprise of viewers, South Africa declared the innings, leaving him 34 runs short of a historic feat. After the day, Mulder said he felt the team had “got enough runs” and needed time to bowl. More notably, he added: “Brian Lara is a legend, let’s be real… For someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special.” Mulder also revealed that head coach Shukri Conrad advised him to “let the legends keep the really big scores.”
South Africa declared at 612/4, and ended up winning by an innings and 236 runs in just three days.
Michael Atherton declares when Graeme Hick was on 98* - England vs Australia, 1995
England squandered a strong position in an Ashes Test at Sydney through a contentious declaration. After bowling Australia out for 116 and taking a 198-run first-innings lead, captain Mike Atherton sought quick runs to set a challenging target. Frustrated by Graeme Hick’s slow scoring - he made 36 runs in 80 minutes - Atherton declared with Hick stranded on 98, two short of a maiden Ashes century. The match drifted to a draw, and Hick reportedly refused to speak to Atherton for the remainder of the tour.
Also Read: To be true to itself, cricket needs to stop obsessing over personal milestones
Michael Clarke declares on 329* - Australia vs India, 2012
After India had been bowled out for 191 in the first innings, Michael Clarke declared Australia’s innings at 659-4 on day three of the 2012 Sydney Test, remaining unbeaten on 329. At the time of the declaration, Clarke was one scoring shot away from surpassing Don Bradman’s 334 and Mark Taylor’s 334*, the highest scores by an Australian captain.He could have also approached Matthew Hayden’s 380 or Lara’s world record of an unbeaten 400.
Clarke later said, “It’s about putting the team first, that’s why we play, that’s what I love most about this game, seeing this team win,” adding, “If I had thought it was best for the team to continue to bat, I would have continued to bat.” The decision was made to give Australia enough time to bowl India out in favourable batting conditions. They ultimately won by an innings and 68 runs with a day to spare.
Tim Paine declares after David Warner crosses Don Bradman - Australia vs Pakistan, 2019
David Warner scored an unbeaten 335 in the second Test against Pakistan in Adelaide in 2019, registering his maiden Test triple century. Next in his sights was the highest Test score by an Australian, Matthew Hayden’s 380. But Australia declared at 589-3 immediately after Warner crossed Bradman’s and Mark Taylor’s total of 334, following a pre-arranged cut-off time set by captain Tim Paine.
The declaration came at 5.43 pm, slightly later than the original 5.40 pm cut-off, allowing Warner to pass the 334-run mark. The decision was influenced by a poor weather forecast to give Australia enough time to bowl Pakistan out twice. By stumps on the second day, Pakistan were reduced to 96-6, and ultimately lost by an innings on day four.
Rahul Dravid declares when Sachin Tendulkar was on 194* - India vs Pakistan, 2004
In the first Test against Pakistan in Multan in 2004, India declared their innings at 675-5, with Sachin Tendulkar unbeaten on 194, six runs short of his fourth double century. Rahul Dravid, captaining in place of Sourav Ganguly, decided to declare after tea on day two to give India enough time to bowl at Pakistan on a pitch expected to deteriorate.
Tendulkar, who scored his last 21 runs in 32 balls, later said he was “disappointed” and asked to be “left alone” to process the moment. Dravid later clarified that the decision was made with the team’s best interests in mind and admitted he would not have declared had he known the match would finish inside four days. India won by an innings and 52 runs, with Virender Sehwag having earlier scored 309, India’s first triple century in Test cricket.
Mark Taylor declares at Don Bradman’s score of 334* - Australia vs Pakistan,1998
In the second Test between Australia and Pakistan in Peshawar in 1998, Australian captain Mark Taylor declared the innings overnight at 599-4, unbeaten on 334, equalling Don Bradman’s highest Test score for Australia. Taylor said he spent the night considering whether to continue batting but chose to declare before play on day three. “I thought if I did that, I would then end up on 340 not out or something like that, and I think people would have assumed that I’d batted on just for my own glory.”
Taylor decided it was best to share the record with Bradman, stating, “I’m more than delighted with that.” Bradman, who was alive at the time, congratulated Taylor on equalling his record. The Australian record was later surpassed by Hayden’s 380 in 2003.
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