In the first Test in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s only fighting spark was still Sean Williams’ sixth Test century. A large 167-run lead was secured by the South Africans’ combination bowling effort. Which was led by Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, and Codi Yusuf. South Africa’s lead has increased to 216 runs by the end of Day 2.
After announcing their overnight total of 418 for 9. South Africa called Zimbabwe to bat first thing in the morning.
Takudzwanashe Kaitano chipped one to mid-wicket, and Codi Yusuf took his first Test wicket off his fifth delivery, putting the tourists right on the money right away. As he quickly took two wickets, Yusuf then got Nick Welch to push one behind to the ‘keeper. Brian Bennett, who just scored a century against England last month, sandwiched this by hitting three quick boundaries to maintain a strong scoring rate.
However, Bennett’s innings was ended when his helmet was struck by a bouncer from Kwena Maphaka. Due to a concussion, the right-hander was taken out. For the home team, it brought in the seasoned combo of Craig Ervine and Williams. Who stitched a partnership of 96 runs. Ervine approached with greater steadiness, but the latter got things started with two flat batted shots to the Maphaka barrier. Corbin Bosch and Yusuf battered the two hitters repeatedly. But they persevered before punishing the loose sounds. It gave the hosts a chance to recover a little before lunch.
Sean Williams
Keshav Maharaj put Williams down after lunch before he reached his fiftieth birthday, bringing the ship into balance for Zimbabwe. The left-arm spinner claimed his 200th Test wicket. When Ervine was stumped off Maharaj in the following over. After getting lucky with a streaking boundary over the slip trap. Wessley Madhevere, a new batsman, showed initiative by hitting threes early on and slog sweeping Maharaj for six.
Williams, who rocketed into the 80s, too relished playing the left-arm spinner with two boundaries as Zimbabwe reached the 150. The risky stand was broken at the end of the hour. When Prince Masvaure, the concussion substitute was brought to the crease by Mulder’s inswinger hitting Madhevere’s pads. However, as the hosts persisted in retaliating against South Africa, Williams reached his century. However, Masvaure lost the next ball, and Mulder scored his second. Tafadzwa Tsiga wasted no time in putting back-to-back boundaries off Mulder, much like those who came before him. However, Mulder’s strike in his subsequent over quickly destroyed his promising start.
Zimbabwe collapsed as a result, losing their final five wickets for an only fifty runs. Williams, the centurion was defeated and stumped by Maharaj. While Yusuf sent Wellington Masakadza back to the pavilion. Zimbabwe was dismissed on 251 after Mulder and Maharaj took the final two wickets for two runs.
However, Tanaka Chivanga made sure Matthew Breetzke returned early, and Zimbabwe refused to back down. The tourists are now 49 for 1 as Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder played out the remainder of the day before Stumps was called.
