Wiann Mulder smashes the second-fastest triple century in Test cricket history

South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder delivered a historic performance against Zimbabwe in the second and final Test, blasting the second-fastest triple century in the format’s history. The all-rounder, who had previously played county cricket during the Kolpak era, also became the first-ever captain to reach the milestone.

Mulder brought up his triple hundred off just 297 deliveries—second only to Virender Sehwag’s 278-ball effort against South Africa in 2008. He became only the second South African to notch a triple century in Tests, following Hashim Amla’s unbeaten 311 at The Oval in 2012.

Resuming Day 2 on 264*, Mulder quickly reached his landmark and shattered several records along the way. He became the first player in history to score a triple hundred on Test captaincy debut, eclipsing New Zealand’s Graham Dowling, who had scored 239 against India in 1969. His score also surpassed Graeme Smith’s 277 to become the highest individual total by a South African Test captain.

Mulder’s 264 runs on Day 1 set a new national record for the most runs scored in a single day by a South African, and ranked as the second-highest by any player on the opening day of a Test.

At 27 years and 138 days old, he also became the youngest Test captain to score a triple century, breaking the long-standing record of Australia’s Bob Simpson, who was 28 when he made 311 in 1964. Mulder’s feat came just days after India’s Shubman Gill narrowly missed out with 269 at Edgbaston.

Batting at No. 3, Mulder anchored South Africa’s innings with two pivotal stands: 184 with David Bedingham and 217 with Lhuan-dre Pretorius. His double century had come off just 214 balls—South Africa’s second-fastest—behind only Herschelle Gibbs’ 211-ball double against Pakistan in 2003.