South Africa's stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder passed up on the opportunity to chase down a record score as he played a pivotal part in putting his side into a commanding position in the second Test against Zimbabwe on Monday.
Mulder was 34 runs shy of a record for the most runs in a Test innings when he declared South Africa's first innings on 626/5 at lunch on the second day of the clash at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, stranding himself on 367 not out.
It was a surprise decision with the 27-year-old all-rounder close to a unique cricketing milestone, but he did achieve the fifth-highest Test innings, after being 264 not out overnight.
Mulder then took two wickets as South Africa dismissed Zimbabwe for 170 in their reply and forced the follow-on to leave the hosts reeling on 51/1 in their second innings at the close, still trailing by 405 runs.
Mulder, leading the side for the first time as a depleted team take on their neighbours in a two-match series, hit 53 boundaries (49 fours and four sixes) in his knock.
With plenty of time still left in the Test, he was expected to bat into the second session to chase down Brian Lara's 21-year-old record of 400 not out for the West Indies against England in Antigua.
But Mulder turned down the chance and declared at lunch. There was no immediate explanation, but he was expected to address a press conference later on Monday.
He had brought up 300 runs in Monday's morning session, scoring them off 297 balls for the second fastest triple century in Test cricket, and then passed Hashim Amla's record score for a South African of 311 not out against England at the Oval in 2012 and got to 350 in 324 balls.
Mulder returned figures of 2/20 in six overs as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 170 in their reply, although spinner Prenelan Subrayen was the best of bowlers with 4/42 on his debut.
Zimbabwe's 38-year-old Sean Williams, who had been sick and off the field during South Africa's knock, came in lower than usual down the home batting order at No. 7 but still scored almost half his side's runs with an unbeaten 83 off 55 balls.
Takudzwanashe Kaitano, who was bowled first ball in Zimbabwe's first innings, was 34 not out in the follow-on along with Nick Welch (11), and they will resume the third day's play on Tuesday.
South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 328 runs in last week's first Test in Bulawayo and look well on course to win their 10th Test in a row.
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