Wiaan Mulder's Bizarre Declaration To Keep Brian Lara's Record Intact Sparks Memefest

Wiaan Mulder decided to declare the innings when he was batting on 367, 33 runs short of Brian Lara's 400 not out, the highest individual score in Test cricket. The decision has sparked a memefest on the Internet with users comparing the incident to Rahul Dravid's declaration when Sachin Tendulkar was batting on 194 in a Test match. Mulder, who was the stand-in captain for the ongoing South Africa vs Zimbabwe 2nd Test, explained that he wanted legends like Lara to keep the iconic record.

"First things first. We had enough to bowl at). Brian Lara is a legend. He got 400 or 401 or something against England, and for someone to keep that record, it is special. I spoke to Shuks (coach) and spoke about letting the legends keep (that record). Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be," Mulder said.

Internet users had a good day as reactions kept coming with some calling Mulder selfless while some still trying to make sense of the decision.

The 27-year-old Mulder was going all guns blazing, demolishing record after record in his career-best outing. With a triple century in 297 deliveries, Mulder now has the record of the second-fastest triple century in Test history — behind only Virender Sehwag’s 278-ball effort against South Africa in 2008. The right-handed batter, who also bowls medium pace, slammed 49 fours and 4 sixes in his marathon effort which lasted 334 balls.

Riding on Mulder's record-breaking 367 not out, South Africa posted a mammoth 626/5 in just 114 overs before declaring. Apart from Mulder, David Beddingham and Lhuan-dre Pretorius also scored quick half-centuries.

Zimbabwe were forced to follow on after getting bowled out for 170 despite Sean Williams 83 not out of just 55 balls.