SOUTH AFRICA TOUR OF ZIMBABWE, 2025
Sean Williams’ sixth Test ton remained the lone fighting spark for Zimbabwe © Zimbabwe Cricket
Sean Williams’ sixth Test ton remained the lone fighting spark for Zimbabwe in the first Test in Bulawayo. It was the collective bowling performance by the South Africans, led by Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj and Codi Yusuf which ensured a big 167-run lead. South Africa have now extended their lead to 216 runs at the end of Day 2.
South Africa declared on their overnight score of 418 for 9 and sent Zimbabwe in to bat, first thing in the morning. The tourists were on the money straight away as Codi Yusuf picked up his first Test wicket off his fifth ball, as Takudzwanashe Kaitano chipped one to mid-wicket. Yusuf then got Nick Welch to poke one behind to the ‘keeper as he had two wickets in no time. This was sandwiched by Brian Bennett, fresh off a century against England last month, scoring three quick boundaries to keep the scoring rate high.
However, Bennett’s innings was cut-short when he got hit on the helmet by a bouncer from Kwena Maphaka. It led to the right-hander being subbed off for concussion. It brought the experience pair of Craig Ervine and Williams to the crease for the hosts, and the duo stitched a 96-run partnership. The latter got it going with two flat batted shots to the fence of Maphaka while Ervine was more steady in his approach. The two batters were beaten numerous times by Yusuf and Corbin Bosch but gritted it out before punishing the loose deliveries. It allowed the hosts to slightly recover heading into the Lunch break.
Williams was put down after Lunch off Keshav Maharaj before he brought up his 50, steadying the ship for Zimbabwe. Ervine got lucky with a streaky boundary over the slip cauldron but was stumped off Maharaj in the next over – bringing up the left-arm spinner’s 200th Test wicket. New batter Wessley Madhevere was proactive, running the threes early on and also slog sweeping Maharaj for six.
Williams, too, enjoyed playing the left-arm spinner with two boundaries as Zimbabwe brought up the 150 as he soared into the 80s. At the end of the hour, it was Mulder who broke the threatening stand as his inswinger crashed into Madhevere’s pads which brought the concussion sub Prince Masvaure to the crease. But at the other end, Williams brought up his century as the hosts continued to fight back against South Africa. But the following ball saw the back of Masvaure with Mulder picking up his second. Similar to those before him, Tafadzwa Tsiga wasted no time with back to back boundaries off Mulder. But his bright start faded away quickly as Mulder struck in his next over.
It triggered a collapse for Zimbabwe as they lost their last five wickets for just 50 runs. Yusuf sent Wellington Masakadza back to the pavilion while Maharaj outsmarted the centurion, Williams, and had him stumped. Mulder and Maharaj cleaned up the last two wickets for two runs as Zimbabwe were bowled out on 251.
Zimbabwe, however, refused to die down as Tanaka Chivanga ensured Matthew Breetzke went back early. Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder then played out the rest of the day before Stumps was called, and the tourists are currently 49 for 1.
Brief scores: South Africa 418/9 decl. (Lhuan-dre Pretorius 153, Corbin Bosch 100*; Tanaka Chivanga 4/83) & 49/1 (Wiaan Mulder 25, Tony de Zorzi 22; Tanaka Chivanga 1-18) lead Zimbabwe 251 (Sean Williams 137, Craig Ervine 36; Wiaan Mulder 4-50, Codi Yusuf 3-42) by 216 runs.
© Cricbuzz
