OPINION: Proteas doing well to build squad depth against Zimbabwe
Teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius, seen here in action for the Titans, made a century on his Test debut against Zimbabwe last week. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
Let's be honest, few things are less tantalising in international cricket these days than a Test series against Zimbabwe.
The value being gained by the Proteas in Bulawayo cannot be bought, however, and the national team are making full use of a rare campaign against their neighbours.
Zimbabwe can't really be blamed for sliding as far as they have in international cricket, having won just three of their 30 Tests in the last 10 years.
The country's economic struggles have been well documented, and it's no surprise that focus is directed on more essential things than sport.
So as pleasing as it is that they still have a national team with Test status, they simply aren't going to be competitive without sufficient investment.
What value is there, then, for the world's best teams to travel to Zimbabwe for a Test series, knowing they will roll them over without much hassle?
Giving new players experience
Well, aside from giving Zimbabwe a much needed stage, South Africa have done well to take full advantage of the ongoing two-match campaign.
Fresh off their victory in the World Test Championship final, Proteas management opted to send a second-string squad to Bulawayo, and the results thus far have been impressive.
The 14-member Proteas squad is so inexperienced it includes eight players who have earned less than three Test caps each, even after some of them competed in the series opener.
The experience being gained by the likes of Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Corbin Bosch, and even Wiaan Mulder, has been invaluable.
Bosch is already 30 years old, but he still has a future in the Test team, as he proved by scoring a century and taking a five-wicket haul in the first Test against their hosts which ended on Tuesday.
And 19-year-old Pretorius further showcased his tremendous potential at the highest level with a century in the first Test innings of his career.
In addition, 22-year-old Dewald Brevis made a half-century in his first Test innings, and 27-year-old seamer Codi Yusuf took six wickets on debut.
Future captain?
Among the senior players in the team, Wiaan Mulder delivered in spectacular fashion with his second Test century, and with Keshav Maharaj picking up an injury, Mulder will get a chance to captain the side in the second Test starting on Sunday.
Based on his recent success, nobody wants to see Temba Bavuma going anywhere, but the reality is that Bavuma is 35 and he will need to be replaced as captain at some point, so it's a good idea to start blooding the likes of 27-year-old Mulder to take that role when the skipper retires.
The current Proteas first-choice squad have proved themselves in recent years, but we need new players who can transition to Test level when older players step back.
The series against Zimbabwe has indicated that succession won't be a problem, and the next players in line for the Proteas Test team should be ready to go when they're called up to face the big guns.
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The Herald
an hour ago
- The Herald
Mulder eyeing triple hundred in Bulawayo
Wiaan Mulder could not have wished for more on his first day as SA's captain, scoring a maiden Test double-hundred that gave his side firm control of the second match against Zimbabwe. When he resumes on 264 on Monday, Mulder will be eyeing a triple hundred, 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 Queens Sports Club pitch and why they tried a short ball plan with 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. After choosing just two front-line seamers in the first Test, for this match, they have 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, the hosts looked increasingly strained, 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. Except for an outside edge against Wellington Masakadza's left-arm spin and a misjudgement when trying to withdraw from a pull shot against Muzarabani, Mulder had an easy ride. 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 have 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 has been caught there twice and on Sunday was dismissed by Chivanga trying to force a short ball off the back foot, which 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 he faced 36 balls. He was given out lbw, after missing a straight ball from Masakadza. Despite admitting before the Test that he was not 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. 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 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. He was trapped lbw for 82, a wicket that gave the home team some belief, though it 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, though 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 he played that saw him sky a catch to Masakadza late in the day — though boredom could have been the cause too. — TimesLIVE
IOL News
14 hours ago
- IOL News
Mulder's masterclass has Proteas' Bedingham positively beaming
Wiaan Mulder will start Day 2 of the second Test against Zimbabwe on 264 runs. Photo: BackpagePix Mulder scored an unbeaten 264 off 259 balls on the opening day of the second Test match against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The right-handed batter struck 34 fours and three sixes during his knock on Sunday, registering the highest individual score by a South African in his first innings as captain. When Shukri Conrad spoke about Wiaan Mulder's appointment as captain following Keshav Maharaj's injury last week, he highlighted how he believed the 27-year old responded well to added responsibility, and that the appointment was partly another way of showing that they back him. An excellent Day 1 in Bulawayo for our Proteas Men 🇿🇦. Complete dominance with the bat as the runs flowed freely to an astonishing 465/4 after 88 overs! 💪🔥 A statement performance on the opening day of this second Test match! 👏🏏 #wozanawe Moreover, Mulder's double century puts him within reach of surpassing Hashim Amla's 311 — the highest individual score by a South African in Test cricket. While debutant Lesego Senokwane (three) and Tony de Zorzi (10) made little impact on the team's total of 465/4 at stumps, David Bedingham (82) and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (78) contributed half-centuries. Mulder and Bedingham shared a 184-run stand, while Mulder and Pretorius added 217 runs, with the Proteas scoring at more than five runs per over. Bedingham spoke highly of Mulder's dedication behind the scenes and attributed his success to years of hard work. 'For Wiaan to bat the whole day — what did he score, 260-odd? I know how hard he's worked for five years, and it's not just, let's say, the last three months. I think he's wanted it for so long,' Bedingham said. 'He's worked his arse off for five years, so I'm really happy and chuffed for Wiaan. I think as a team we all really enjoy each other's success, but especially seeing Wiaan do well — the team really likes it and appreciates it.' Heading into the second Test, Bedingham would have been under pressure to perform, having endured a lean patch in red-ball cricket. But the 31-year-old delivered with a fluent 82 off 101 balls — a reminder of his class as he and Mulder kept the scoring rate high. 'I feel it's always nice scoring runs. Obviously, I'd like to score hundreds, but I would have taken 81. I think for the last six months I haven't felt myself, so it was quite nice to get some runs and bat the way I know I can,' he added. 'I feel we both play that way (attacking style) naturally. I do feel the pitch had less bounce in this Test than the last one, but I think it was just about getting together, facing a certain number of balls and then trusting the surface. The way Wiaan played especially made me feel a lot more at ease.' With Mulder and Dewald Brevis (15 not out) set to resume on day two, Bedingham said that the plan is to continue batting aggressively. 'I feel that we scored quickly the whole day, so that allows us to bat even longer,' he said. 'I'm not sure about the target, but I know we'll come out in the morning, bat aggressively, and try to get a certain score.' Day two is set to get underway on Monday at 10am.
TimesLIVE
15 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.
