Wiaan Mulder's double century puts Proteas in a dominant position on Day One
Wiaan Mulder's unbeaten maiden double century put South Africa firmly in control after Day One of the first Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Sunday.
Handed the Test captaincy for the first time following an injury to Keshav Maharaj, Mulder rose to the occasion with a remarkable innings, finishing the day on 264 not out from 259 deliveries. His knock included 34 fours and three sixes, combining brute force with precise stroke play in what is now the highest score of his Test career.
The 27-year-old's form has been imperious — this was his second century in as many Tests, having scored 147 in the second innings of the previous match at the same venue.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
11 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Marvellous Mulder eyes records as Proteas dominate day one
Wiaan Mulder couldn't have wished for more on his first day as South Africa's captain, scoring a maiden Test double hundred that gave his side firm control of the second Test against Zimbabwe. Mulder, will resume on 264 at Queens Sports Ground in Bulawayo and will be eyeing up a triple hundred on Monday, with his side already in a dominant position on 465/4. The home team were again left pondering several decisions — starting with the composition of their bowling unit, why skipper Craig Ervine chose to bat on a flat and lifeless pitch and why they tried a short ball plan to a batter who grew up on the highveld and plays his domestic cricket at the Wanderers. It was an awful day for Zimbabwe, who showed signs of promise in the first Test, but shot themselves in the foot on Sunday. That included the otherwise impressive Tanaka Chivanga, bowling Mulder off a no-ball late in the day, with the stand-in SA captain on 247. ✅ First innings as @ProteasMenCSA skipper ✅ Double century in Test cricket Wiaan Mulder has been in total control ⚡🇿🇦 📺 Stream #ZIMvSA on DStv: — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 6, 2025 After choosing just two front-line seamers in the first Test, for this match, they've included Kundai Matigimu, to lend Blessing Muzarabani and Chivanga support, but on a dry surface, SA's choice to pick two front-line spinners, looks like the right one. As the last session unfolded, they looked increasingly strained, even though Matigimu, who is playing his first Test and just his sixth first class match took the wicket of Lhuan-dre Pretorious. Mulder relished the opportunity to captain the side after Keshav Maharaj was forced to return to SA because of a groin strain. A week after scoring 147, the 27 year old, who came to the crease in the 10th over, calmly set about acclimatising to conditions that were favourable for batting, and helped himself to a third Test century. With the exception of an outside edge against Wellington Masakadza's left-arm spin, and a misjudgement when trying to withdraw from a pull shot against Blessing Muzarabani, the Mulder had an easy ride. 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐚𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧! The @ProteasMenCSA skipper is in incredible form ⚡🇿🇦 📺 Stream #ZIMvSA on DStv: — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 6, 2025 It took 214 balls for him to reach 200, the second fastest double hundred for SA, behind Herschelle Gibbs, who achieved the landmark off 211 deliveries against Pakistan at Newlands in 2003. There were concerns for SA at the start with the openers, Tony de Zorzi and Lesego Senokwane both failing. None of the three openers who've been given an opportunity in this series, have caused Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton to be concerned about their spots when SA begins its challenge in the 2027 World Test Championship later this year. De Zorzi's been dropped twice in the slips, he's been caught there twice and on Sunday was dismissed by Chivanga trying to force a short ball of the back foot, that he hit straight to Nick Welch, who held a good catch at point. After making one and 13 in the first Test Matthew Breetzke was dropped for Senokwane, but the debutant looked nervous, and was stuck on the crease for most of his innings of three in which faced 36 balls. He was given out lbw, after missing a straight ball from Masakadza and despite admitting before the Test that he wasn't an extravagant shot-maker, he needs to find a way to assert himself, if he's going to be an attractive option for the Proteas. Meanwhile, David Bedingham, who would have noticed how well Pretorius and Dewald Brevis played last week, knew he needed to produce an innings that quashed any doubts there may be about his role. The nature of the pitch and the way Zimbabwe bowled would have aided his quest and he played with composure alongside Mulder. Two outside edges, neither of which went near fielders, were the only moments of concern for the elegant right hander, and his innings featured plenty of stylish back foot drives and of course pull shots as Zimbabwe persisted with their ill-judged short ball plan. The third wicket partnership was worth 184 as Zimbabwe once again wilted under Bulawayo's blue skies. Bedingham would have been frustrated to miss out on a second Test century, but he was the victim of a good delivery from Chivanga, who briefly got the ball to reverse swing, just before tea. Bedingham was trapped lbw for 82, a wicket that gave the home team some belief, but which quickly dissipated after the interval. Pretorius unleashed some typically flamboyant shots as he made 78, sharing a partnership of 217 off only 185 balls with Mulder, although he was troubled when an errant throw from Matigimu hit him on the right wrist. That discomfort may have played a role in the loose shot Pretorius played that saw him sky a catch to Masakadza late in the day — although boredom may have played its part too.
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
Wiaan Mulder's double century puts Proteas in a dominant position on Day One
Stand-in skipper Wiaan Mulder raises his bat after a career-best 264* as South Africa dominate Zimbabwe on Day One in Bulawayo. Photo: AFP Wiaan Mulder's unbeaten maiden double century put South Africa firmly in control after Day One of the first Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Sunday. Handed the Test captaincy for the first time following an injury to Keshav Maharaj, Mulder rose to the occasion with a remarkable innings, finishing the day on 264 not out from 259 deliveries. His knock included 34 fours and three sixes, combining brute force with precise stroke play in what is now the highest score of his Test career. The 27-year-old's form has been imperious — this was his second century in as many Tests, having scored 147 in the second innings of the previous match at the same venue.
IOL News
15 hours ago
- IOL News
Gonzalo Quesada praises Italy's resilience despite defeat to Springboks
Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada was proud of his charges shift against the Springboks on Saturday, despite losing 44-24. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada said increased self-belief and discipline were key to his team's strong second-half showing against the Springboks on Saturday — as was the contribution of the 'Grenade Squad', Italy's answer to South Africa's famed Bomb Squad. The Azzurri lost the Test match at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria 42-24 but received plaudits for a gritty second-half performance against the world champions, having pulled within 11 points with 10 minutes to play. The coach said he was proud of the effort from his youthful squad. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'No one is really happy after a defeat, but I'm really proud of the team today. I have a huge number of reasons to be proud of them,' Quesada said, during his post-match media conference. 'It was a really tough week for the team with a lot of injuries, a lot of changes, and a lot of things we couldn't control that didn't go our way. But the team never lost focus.' Italy's touring squad is a young one, with several senior players rested following the Six Nations. Quesada admitted that the lack of international experience showed early on. 'In the first half, we made some mistakes because we struggled — we had so many guys with less experience playing against this Springbok squad at home. In the second half, we released a bit of pressure and it was better,' he said. 'With the ball, I think we didn't believe enough in ourselves. We didn't try enough or respect the things we had prepared. So we worked on building belief in the players, helping them realise they could do much better and match that intensity.' He added that they had also emphasised improved defensive discipline, after conceding easy penalties in the first half that gave the Boks entry into the 22. Captain Niccolò Cannone, the experienced second-rower, was praised for leading the second-half turnaround. Italy had trailed 28-3 at the break. Cannone was among the try-scorers for the visitors, alongside Manuel Zuliani and Pablo Dimcheff. 'A lot of the credit goes to the captain and the leaders for the incredible way they handled the second half. We had our 'Grenade Squad' that did pretty well,' Quesada said with a laugh. 'The team that started the second half did well. The bench all brought something, even though for some of them it was their first match for the national team. The key thing was discipline and believing a little bit more in ourselves.' The Springboks struggled in the lineouts, and the Azzurri also enjoyed success at the breakdown. Quesada was asked whether this had been a specific target going into the match. 'We knew we needed to take as much space and time away from them as we could. It was their first Test of the year, so with a bit of luck, we thought that if we disrupted their rhythm, they might not be as fluid as they usually are. 'We're a team that normally has less possession than the opposition, so we are more used to defending. We have excellent jackals in the squad, and it's something we work on regardless of the opponent,' he revealed. 'It was all about effort and commitment. We talk a lot about that. "(Sunday), we had 17 players who usually start that were not here. So, it was important to be brave and confident in each other — to commit to a big defensive game. I'm so proud of the team.' The Azzurri mentor now braces for a Springbok backlash in next weekend's second Test in Gqeberha.
