ZIM vs SA: Keshav Maharaj ruled out of 2nd Test, Wiaan Mulder to lead South Africa
CSA also announced that pacer Lungi Ngidi has been released from the squad. The move is aimed at giving the bowlers who featured in the first Test another opportunity to prove themselves in the longest format.In the first Test, South Africa fielded a pace-heavy attack, featuring specialists Kwena Maphaka and Codi Yusuf, alongside all-rounders Corbin Bosch and Mulder. Maharaj was the sole spinner in the line-up.Ngidi played a pivotal role in South Africa's World Test Championship final triumph over Australia. His decisive spell, which accounted for Steve Smith, Beau Webster, and Pat Cummins, turned the tide in South Africa's favour, helping them secure their first ICC title in over two decades.Proteas Eye Series WhitewashDespite the personnel changes, South Africa will back themselves to complete a series whitewash following their emphatic win in the opening Test. The victory was built on a dominant batting performance, with young stars Lhuan-dr Pretorius and Corbin Bosch scoring centuries to set the tone. Bosch capped off a brilliant all-round display by claiming a five-wicket haul in the second innings, as the Proteas cruised to a commanding 328-run win.- Ends
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Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Wiaan Mulder becomes sixth South African Test captain in last two seasons; WTC champs widen Test pool
Wiaan Mulder – Pieter Willem Adriana Mulder – became the sixth Proteas Test captain in two years, and 18th overall of South Africa, after Keshav Maharaj had to opt out due to a groin injury. The World Test champions who cannot afford longer Test series on their calendars, have rotated players plenty in the last WTC cycle, and inadvertently developed a leadership cohort as some of the main players get rested, as they straddle multiple formats. Nicknamed Mr Cool due to his calm demeanour, the SRH batter looked ready for the responsibility. Temba Bavuma opted out of the Zimbabwe series, alongside other frontliners Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada as Keshav Maharaj was named captain. The Proteas smashed Zimbabwe in the first Test, and have called up ready replacements after injuries. Wiaan Mulder who starred with bat and ball, with a century at No 3, was named captain earlier this week. He became the 18th captain in the country's 34-year-old Test history post Apartheid re-entry. The juggling of personnel has also meant the WTC champs have had 6 captains since the last WTC cycle two years ago. Mulder follows Maharaj (1 Test, 2025), Temba Bavuma (10 Tests, 9 won, 2023-25), Neil Brand (2 Tests, 2024), Dean Elgar (18 Tests, 2017-2024) and Aiden Markram (2 Tests, 2024). Prior to that Quinton de Kock (4 Tests, 2020-21) and Faf du Plessis (36 Tests, 2016-20) led the Saffers. AB de Villiers captained in 3 Tests, and Hashim Amla in 14. Big Biff Graeme Smith led in 108 between 2003-14 and won 53, losing 28. Senuran Muthusamy replaced Maharaj on the spinner's spot for the Bulawayo Test. Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Friedel de Wet and Imraan Khan joined up the squad as Proteas Test caps bulged to 139. Mulder had a brilliant opening Test against Zimbabwe as he bagged 4 wickets and scored a ton, amongst other things, though youngster Lhu Andre Pretorius starred with a M-o-M show. Mulder after the match explained how things were coming together at No 3. 'To be honest I wanted to get some runs at No 3. I've had a couple of chances now. Very chuffed to put second innings hundred on board. Bowlers with new ball in that phase here is tricky. Something I'm trying to figure out how to go about it. I try to get more positive in innings. Put bad balls away consistently. And not worry too much about making too many mistakes up front because you are bound to get good balls. It's all about body language and what you trying to achieve. That's what Chips has been trying to push me towards,' he told Cricket SA Instagram. Mulder said he enjoyed batting at No 3, a position he had batted at since early years, which he reckoned brought both responsibility and reward. However coach Shukri Conrad has had to convince him to loosen up a little to not draw on extra pressure. 'I'm a pretty conservative person generally. So I think I always have to be perfect. He's trying to get me out of that box,' he said. On his batting process, he said, 'I'm trying to get my mental routine right. Consistently want to be in a place where I can perform at best. Right from WTC I'm feeling well. Right through to now, Like I've trained well, played well. Bat and ball. Have been catching-wise as well. My game is in a good place,' the new captain, 27, said. His form has been a fuschia pink in Zimbabwe. 'Put runs on board when you feeling good. Lot of times feeling and looking good doesn't translate to runs. I'm happy it worked out well that way. I put it down to mental routine and mental focus. Technically I'm pretty sound generally. On a wicket like this where there's so much for seamers. If you don't get it right, you will get Out,' he elaborated. 'In this team, it seems like because of how close we are, our character consistently shows on being on top. So far so good,' the new captain assured.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
WI vs AUS: Steve Smith cops blow on dislocated finger, but says nothing to worry
Steve Smith and Australia survived another injury scare when he copped a blow on the very finger, the pinkie of the right hand, he had dislocated in the World Test Championship final against South Africa last month. The ball from Alzarri Joseph reared up from hard length, seamed back into his body sharply, and when taking the evasive measure, exposed his right glove and the ball cannoned onto it. He didn't show any immediate pain, but after facing the next ball, he removed his gloves, revealing a heavily strapped little finger. But when he looked to flex the finger, he grimaced in pain. The physio and his team rushed to attend to him. However, he showed hardly any discomfort to stroke an emphatic 71, the half-century not only helping Australia recover from a tricky 3/28 to 221/7 at the end, with a commanding lead of 254 runs, he also completed 15,000 runs in first-class cricket. In the post-match chat with the broadcaster, he admitted that he suffered pain on the finger, but was fine. 'My first ball hit me straight on the finger. It was not ideal but it feels alright. It is that kind of surface,' he said. The deck at St George's is getting more difficult to bat, he admitted. 'Some can shoot up, you might have to take a few on the hands, but it is all good. We are in a nice spot. It was a tricky surface – little up and down, little bit of seam movement. Don't think the wicket is going to get any better, will probably do a few more tricks,' he said. He made the required adjustments to bat freely. 'Decided to bat on middle stump, stay still and negate lbw as much as possible, and try to use the full face of the bat as much as possible. Tried to cash in on anything loose to put the pressure back on the bowler,' he said. His team is aiming to set a target of 300-plus to chase on the surface. 'The new ball is going to be pretty crucial for us. Hopefully we can get up to somewhere around 300 and then we'll see how it goes,' he said. In the commentary box, Greg Blewett couldn't stop showering superlatives on Smith. 'He's looking ominous on a surface where a lot of people have struggled. He's just got this unbelievable belief that he's going to make runs whenever he bats. Smith looked like a dynamite as soon as he went out there. He's been at another level really,' he said. Former West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite continued the raves: 'Steve Smith has proven why he is one of, if not, the best batter in our generation.'
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
ZIM vs SA Live Score, 2nd Test Day 1 Updates: Toss at 1 PM IST; South Africa eyes series win against Zimbabwe
Hello and welcome to Sportstar's LIVE coverage of Day 1 of the second Test between Zimbabwe and South Africa, being held at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. ZIM vs SA 2nd Test - Playing XIs South Africa Playing XI: Tony de Zorzi, Lesego Senokwane, Wiaan Mulder (c), David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen, Codi Yusuf. ZIM vs SA 2nd Test - Match Preview World Test Championship (WTC) champion South Africa will look to continue its dominant run in the longest format when it faces Zimbabwe in the second and final Test at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo from Sunday. The Proteas, despite resting their star players, registering a mammoth 328-run win in the series opener with 19-year-old left-handed batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius impressing in particular. He struck 153 in the first innings, while all-rounders Corbin Bosch and Wiaan Mulder also notched up hundreds to showcase South Africa's solid bench strength in the format. However, South Africa will be up against another challenge as stand-in skipper Keshav Maharaj will miss the second Test due to injury, handing over the reins to Mulder, who is all of 20 Tests old. South Africa has named two debutants in the Playing XI—Prenelan Subrayen and Lesego Senokwane, while left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy returns to the Test side after more than nine months. Zimbabwe will rely on Sean Williams, who scored 137 in the first innings of the series opener, and pacers Blessing Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga to deliver the goods. ZIM vs SA 2nd Test - When and where to watch The second Test between Zimbabwe and South Africa will not be televised live in India. However, the live stream of the match will be available on the FanCode app and website from 1:30 PM IST onwards. The Squads Zimbabwe: Prince Masvaure, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga, Brian Bennett, Kundai Matigimu, Clive Madande, Trevor Gwandu, Newman Nyamhuri. South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Wiaan Mulder (c), David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka, Lesego Senokwane, Zubayr Hamza, Prenelan Subrayen. Related Topics Zimbabwe / South Africa
