South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder revealed that Brian Lara encouraged him to attempt breaking the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket. Mulder, serving as South Africa’s stand-in captain, was batting on 367 at lunch on the second day when he declared the innings, falling short by 33 runs of Lara’s 400 not out against England in Antigua in 2004. Mulder’s 367 not out is the highest individual score for South Africa and the fifth highest overall. What Wiaan Mulder About His Declaration? “I thought we had enough and we needed to bowl. Secondly, Brian Lara is a legend. For someone of that stature to keep that record is deserved. If I get the chance to do it again, I’d do it the same way,” Mulder had said after the day’s play. “I spoke to Shuks (Shukri Conrad) and he felt the same way. Brian Lara is a legend and he deserves to keep that record,” Mulder had added. What Lara Told Mulder? “”Now that things have settled a little bit, I’ve chatted a little bit to Brian Lara,” Mulder told SuperSport. “He said to me I’m creating my own legacy and I should have gone for it. He said records are there to be broken and he wishes if I’m ever in that position again, I actually go and score more than what he had.” “That was an interesting point of view from his side, but I still believe I did the right thing and respecting the game is the most important part for me.” Why Was Gayle Angry With Mulder? Chris Gayle was displeased with Mulder’s decision, saying that Mulder “panicked and blundered” by not chasing the record. “If I could get the chance to get 400, I would get 400. That doesn’t happen often. You don’t know when you’re going to get to a triple century again. Any time you get a chance like that, you try and make the best out of it,” Gayle told talkSPORT. “But he was so generous and said he wanted the record to stay with Brian Lara. Maybe he panicked; he didn’t know what to do in that situation. Come on, you’re on 367, automatically you have to take a chance at the record. If you want to be a legend, how are you going to become a legend? Records come with being a legend,” he said. “I think it was an error from his part not to try and go to get it. We don’t know if he would go on and get it or not. But he declared on 367 and he said what he had to say. But listen, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get 400 runs in a Test match. Come on, youngster, you’ve blown it big time! “It doesn’t matter the opponent, if you get 100 against any team, that’s a Test century. If you get a double or triple, 400, that’s Test cricket. That’s the ultimate game. He panicked, and he blundered, straight up,” Gayle added.