Wiaan Mulder Masterclass Piles Pressure on Zimbabw...

Wiaan Mulder Masterclass Piles Pressure on Zimbabwe

Witness Runodada ZimNow reporter

South Africa ended the opening day of the second Test at Queens Sports Club in a dominant position, thanks to a sensational unbeaten 264 from stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder. His mammoth effort powered the Proteas to a formidable 465 for four at stumps, leaving Zimbabwe with a mountain to climb after a taxing day in the field.

Zimbabwe came into the match with two changes to their playing XI. Dion Myers was brought in to replace the unwell Prince Masvaure, while pace bowler Kundai Matigimu made his Test debut in place of Vincent Masekesa. South Africa were also forced into a change in leadership, as Mulder stepped up as captain in the absence of Keshav Maharaj, who was sidelined due to a strain.

After Craig Ervine won the toss and opted to bowl first, Zimbabwe’s bowlers started brightly, particularly Blessing Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga, who kept things tight early on. South Africa managed just 11 runs in the first nine overs, and Zimbabwe’s decision to bowl looked justified when Tony de Zorzi fell for 10, slashing at a wide delivery from Chivanga and edging to Nick Welch at gully.

Lesego Senokwane was next to go, lbw to Wellington Masakadza for three off 36 balls, leaving South Africa in early trouble at 24 for two.

However, any hopes Zimbabwe had of maintaining pressure were quickly dashed as Mulder and David Bedingham launched a counter-attack. Bedingham, typically aggressive, struck three consecutive boundaries off debutant Matigimu to wrestle back the initiative.

By lunch, South Africa had recovered to 113 for two, with Mulder on 60 and Bedingham on 40.

The pair continued to dominate after the break, with Mulder bringing up his second consecutive Test century from 116 balls. Bedingham appeared on course for a century of his own before he was trapped lbw by Chivanga for a well-made 82 off 101 deliveries. Their 184-run partnership for the third wicket had already turned the tide decisively in South Africa’s favor.

At tea, the visitors had extended their total to 243 for three, with Mulder on 133 and Lhuan-dre Pretorius on 13. After the break, the assault continued as Zimbabwe’s bowlers toiled under the blazing Bulawayo sun. Pretorius played with confidence, reaching his half-century off just 58 balls, while Mulder surged past the double-century mark, reaching 200 off 214 deliveries.

Reflecting on a long day in the field, Zimbabwe bowling coach Charl Langeveldt acknowledged the uphill battle his bowlers faced. “You can see the consistency,” he said. “It is sad about bowling that no ball but at the end of the day, that’s cricket.”

With South Africa in control and Mulder still at the crease, Zimbabwe will need something extraordinary on day two to claw their way back into the contest.