“He’s not going to get that opportunity again” - Ben Stokes on Wiaan Mulder’s 367* declaration

On Wednesday, July 9, England skipper Ben Stokes opened up on South African stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder, declaring the innings while he was batting on an unbeaten 367-run knock against Zimbabwe.

Interestingly, Mulder was 33 runs short of the historic Brian Lara’s 400-run record in the longest format of the game. Though Stokes respected Mulder’s decision, he asserted that the batter would not get such an opportunity again in his career.

“As captain you’d rather do it to yourself than the captain pulling out on a groundbreaking day. Fair play to him… I think he said something about how it should stay with Brian. He’s not going to get that opportunity again (laughs)! Fair play to them,” Stokes said in the pre-match press conference.

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While many raised eyebrows on his decision, Mulder has revealed that the record needs to be with the legendary Caribbean batter Brian Lara, and it is a pretty special one. He added that if he gets the chance again, he would probably do the same thing.

“First things first. I thought we’d got enough and needed a bowl. And, secondly, Brian Lara is a legend, let’s be real. He got 400 against England (in Antigua in 2004) and for someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special. I think if I get the chance again, I’d probably do the same thing,” Mulder said.

Former West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle had also opened up, slamming Mulder’s decision to declare the innings as it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get to the historic milestone. 

“He panicked and he blundered, straight up. I think it was an error from his side, 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!,” Gayle said while speaking on talkSPORT.

“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,” Gayle added.

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