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Wiaan Mulder, captaining South Africa for the first time in only his 21st Test, posted the fifth-highest individual Test score by blasting an unbeaten 367 off 334 balls in Bulawayo against Zimbabwe. But Mulder, only 33 runs away from Brian Lara's 21-year world-record score of 400*.
Along the way, Mulder also became the 29th Test cricketer and only the second South African - after Hashim Amla (311 not out) in 2012 - to score a triple-century.
Let's take a look at the Test record of highest individual score by any batter in an innings in Test.
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Test Record | Highest individual score by any batter
5. Wiaan Mulder | 367* vs Zimbabwe (2025)
Standing in as captain in the second Test against Zimbabwe, Wiaan Mulder ended the first day on 264. On the second day, he quickly became the first South African captain and second player after Hashim Amla to record a Test triple ton, reaching there with a flick to deep square leg. Mulder raced to 367* at lunch on day two but declared soon after. He faced 334 balls and smashed 49 fours and four sixes in his innings.
Mulder had every chance to overhaul Lara's record of 400 but chose not to go for it. But he did break a number of records on his way to an unbeaten 367.
4. Mahela Jayawardene | 374 vs South Africa (2006)
In 2006, the then-Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene came mighty close to overhauling the Test record for the highest score. South Africa batted first in the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo and were skittled for 169. Sri Lanka slipped to 14 for 2 inside four overs, but then Kumar Sangakkara and Jayawardene took the field.
The duo added a world-record 624 runs for the third wicket. Sangakkara's innings ended on 287 on the third day but Jayawardene became just the second Sri Lanka batter to record a triple century. He reached there with a drive through covers off 491 balls. He fell on 374 to Andre Nel. Jayawardene faced 572 balls and hit 43 fours and a six during his innings.
3. Brian Lara | 375 vs England (1994)
In 1994, it was 25-year-old Brian Lara who etched his name in the record books by breaking Sir Garfield Sobers' long-standing Test record. Having already taken a 3-1 lead in the five-match series, West Indies went into the fifth Test against England brimming with confidence.
The hosts slipped to 12 for 2 inside but then Lara owned the stage. He reached his century on day one before tripling it by the end of day two. On day three, he overhauled Sobers' 365* with a pull off fast bowler Chris Lewis. Lara finally fell for 375 off 538 balls, smashing 45 fours during his knock.
2. Matthew Hayden | 380 vs Zimbabwe (2003)
Zimbabwe had a bowl in the first Test against Australia at the WACA, in Perth, a decision they would later regret. Matthew Hayden opened the innings and for the next 146-odd overs, he sent the Zimbabwe bowlers to all corners of the WACA.
Hayden became only the fourth Australia batter to reach a triple century in Test cricket when he pushed Heath Streak to mid-off, reaching the mark in 362 balls on the second day. It didn't take him long to overhaul Lara's record for the highest Test score by pushing Ray Price to long-on as the whole of WACA was on its feet. Hayden failed to reach the 400 mark though falling on 380, his innings consisting of 38 fours and 11 sixes.
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1. Brian Lara | 400* vs England (2004)
Brian Lara had done it once and held the record for more than nine years before Matthew Hayden broke it. So, he decided to do it again, both times against England, both times in Antigua.
Lara reached his century off 131 balls, his double ton off 260 and then his triple century in 404 balls. And then on the third morning, six months after losing his record for the highest Test score, Lara reclaimed it with a fine sweep off spinner Gareth Batty, going past Hayden's 380.
It didn't take him long to become the first and so far, the only batter in Test history to reach 400 test runs. He finished unbeaten on 400 off 582 balls, his innings laced with 43 fours and four sixes as West Indies declared.