Chris Gayle criticises Proteas captain Wiaan Mulder following shock declaration

Batting first on a flat pitch in Bulawayo against Zimbabwe, Mulder declared with a personal tally of 367 not out, just 33 runs shy of Brian Lara’s incredible 400 not out he collected against England in 2004. Mulder stated in his post-match interview that he declared out of respect for the 'legend' that is Lara.

The decision has been viewed as baffling by most fans and players alike. This week, Gayle joined the chorus of criticism aimed at Mulder.

"If I could get the chance to get 400, I would get 400," said Gayle, who has two triple centuries, on 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.

"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.

"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."

After declaring on 626/5, the Proteas went on to scoop the 20 wickets needed to win in 120 overs, winning by an innings and 236 runs on Day 3.