Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle has criticised Wiaan Mulder for passing up a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to break Brian Lara’s world record Test score.

Mulder, captaining a youthful Proteas side in Bulawayo, was unbeaten on 367 when he declared against Zimbabwe at lunch on day two of the second Test – a decision that sparked widespread debate.

The 27-year-old said he had opted not to pursue Lara’s iconic 400* out of respect for the West Indies legend, a move that received praise from Proteas coaches but not from Gayle.

“If I could get the chance to get 400, I would get 400,” Gayle told talkSPORT. “That doesn’t happen often. You don’t know when you’re going to get to a triple-century again. Any time you get a chance like that, you try and make the best out of it.”

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While acknowledging Mulder’s tribute to Lara, Gayle said he believed the Proteas batsman had “panicked” in the moment.

“He was so generous and said he wanted the record to stay with Brian Lara,” Gayle said. “Maybe he panicked, he didn’t know what to do in that situation. 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.”

South Africa declared on 626-5 and went on to win by an innings and 236 runs on day three.

“I think it was an error from his side, not to try and go get it,” Gayle added. “We don’t know if he would go on and get it or not. 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.”

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Gayle dismissed suggestions that the quality of the opposition diminished the feat.

“It’s the same cricket, Test cricket,” said Gayle. “Sometimes you can’t even get one run against a team like Zimbabwe, if you want to put it that way. It doesn’t matter, the opponent – if you get a hundred against any team, that’s a Test century. If you get a double or triple, 400 – that’s Test cricket. That’s the ultimate game.

“Like I said, he panicked and he blundered – straight up.”

Photo: Zimbabwe Cricket