Highest Individual Score in Test by Batsmen From Lara To Mulder

Wiaan Mulder missed the chance of surpassing Brian Lara’s 400*, falling short of 33 runs 

27-year-old all-rounder Wiaan Mulder was about to challenge the most iconic record of Brian Lara’s unbeatable 400 runs in Test Cricket history. On July 7, 2025, the cricketing world was set ablaze as South Africa’s interim captain Wiaan Mulder delivered a monumental unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe in the second Test at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. In the absence of South Africa’s regular captain, Temba Bavuma, who is on a break after the historic triumph of the ICC World Test Championship 2025, Mulder is overtaking the Proteas in Bulawayo. 

While Mulder’s knock propelled him to the fifth-highest individual score in Test cricket history, it fell just 33 runs short of surpassing Brian Lara’s iconic world record of 400 not out, set against England in 2004. Mulder scored 367 not out off 334 balls with a strike rate of 109.88, including 49 fours and four sixes. He also became the second-fastest batsman with a triple century in just 297 balls, following Virender Sehwag.

Additionally, Mulder became the youngest Test captain to score a triple century at 27 years, breaking Bob Simpson’s 1964 record, and set a new record for the highest score on captaincy debut, breaking Graham Dowling's record.

Mulder’s knock not only surpassed Hashim Amla’s 311 not out (2012) to become the highest individual score by a South African in Test cricket but also set a new benchmark for the highest individual score in an away Test, surpassing Pakistan’s Hanif Mohammad.    

With South Africa at 626/5 at lunch on Day 2 and nearly four days remaining in the Test, Mulder appeared to have ample time to chase Lara’s 400. Yet, in a move that stunned the cricketing world, he declared the innings, while he could easily chase the record. The decision was mostly made by the SA’s new head coach, Shukri Conrad, rather than Mulder himself. Whatever the case, Mulder’s choice is getting praised by cricket analysts and fans. 

List of Highest Individual Score in Test

For now, the cricketing world celebrates Mulder’s remarkable achievement while pondering what might have been had he batted on for those final 33 runs. Currently, Mulder is sitting in the fifth position in the list of the highest individual scores by batsmen in Test cricket.

Here are the top highest individual scores in Test history as of 2025, after Mulder emerges as one of the top batsmen who missed the chance to etch his name into the cricket annals:

1. Brian Lara – 400 vs England (2004)

Lara’s monumental innings in Antigua remains the top of Test batting history. Scoring 400 not out off 582 balls, Lara reclaimed the record from Matthew Hayden in a marathon effort against England, cementing his legacy as one of cricket’s greatest batsmen. The record, now 21 years old, has withstood challenges from the likes of Michael Clarke, David Warner, and now Mulder.

2. Matthew Hayden - 380 vs Zimbabwe (2003)

Hayden briefly held the world record with his 380 off 437 balls in Perth, surpassing Lara’s earlier mark of 375. During his innings, Hayden hit 38 fours and 11 sixes, capitalizing on a weaker Zimbabwe side. However, Lara soon caught him and surpassed him to become once again top scorer in Test Cricket once again. 

3. Brian Lara - 375 vs England (1994)

Lara’s first assault on the record books came in 1994 when he surpassed Garfield Sobers’ 365* to set a new record as the highest individual scorer in the test. Scored in Antigua, Lara held the record for nearly a decade, showing his supremacy in Test cricket. 

4. Mahela Jayawardene - 374 vs South Africa (2006)

Jayawardene’s 374 in Colombo remains the highest score by a non-West Indian or Australian in Test cricket. During his innings, Jayawardene abused South Africa while hitting 43 boundaries and one-six in Colombo.

5. Wiaan Mulder – 367 vs Zimbabwe (2025)

In a recent Test match between South Africa and Zimbabwe, Mulder bagged an impressive knock of 367* off 334 balls, with a strike rate of 109.88, surpassing Len Hutton’s 364 (1938) and Garfield Sobers’ 365* (1958), making it the fifth-highest individual score in Test history. Mulder’s innings also set records for the fastest 350 in Tests (324 balls) and the highest score in an away Test.