Wiaan Mulder says West Indies legend Brian Lara told him he should have attempted to break his record for the highest individual score in Test cricket.

Mulder was unbeaten on 367 when he declared South Africa’s innings on day two of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. That left him 33 runs shy of Lara’s mark of 400*, set against England in Antigua in 2004.

At the time, Mulder said: “Brian Lara is a legend. He got 401 or whatever it was against England. For someone of that stature to keep the record is pretty special. I think if I get the chance again I would do the same again.”

Mulder said he had spoken to Proteas coach Shukri Conrad, who agreed with his decision.

“He said to me as well, let the legend keep the record. I never know what my fate will be but letting Brian Lara keep the record is the way it should be.”

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But the Proteas all-rounder has since revealed that Lara had a different perspective.

“Now that things have settled a little bit, I’ve chatted a little bit to Brian Lara,” Mulder told SuperSport. “He said to me I’m creating my own legacy and I should have gone for it. He said records are there to be broken and he wishes, if I’m ever in that position again, that I actually go and score more than what he had.”

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Despite Lara’s blessing, Mulder is standing by his decision.

“That was an interesting point of view from his side, but I still believe I did the right thing – and respecting the game is the most important part for me,” he said.