Sean Williams fights lone battle for Zimbabwe as Proteas take charge at Queens Sports Club
Proteas allrounder Wiaan Mulder was the chief destroyer with the ball on the second day of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Picture: BackpagePix
The Proteas assumed control of the first Test on the second day in Bulawayo, despite a marvellous century from Zimbabwean veteran Sean Williams at the Queens Sports Club.
Williams' 137 was the mainstay of Zimbabwe's 251 after the Proteas declared on their overnight 418/9.
The 38-year-old battled through the initial new-ball onslaught after debutant Codi Yusuf picked up his maiden Test wicket in his first over before following it up with another a couple of overs later.
Kwena Maphaka may not have tasted success, but the teenager built up a good head of steam. The teenager struck Brian Bennet flush on the helmet, which forced the Zimbabwean opener to retire hurt with concussion on 19. Prince Masvaure was the concussion substitute.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Mulder makes merry and Bosch takes late wicket to keep Proteas on top
South Africa snuck in a final over at the end of the day and their alertness paid dividends with Corbin Bosch claiming the wicket of Zimbabwean opener Tukudzwa Kaitano to leave the hosts on 32/1 at the end of day three of the first Test in Bulawayo. Kaitano was comfortably caught at second slip by Lhuan-dre Pretorius off the second ball of an over that the Zimbwean opener, may feel shouldn't have been bowled. The Proteas had already completed the requisite number of overs for the day, but Kaitano's opening partner Prince Masvaure — a concussion replacement for Brian Bennett — didn't engage in any gamesmanship to ensure that Keshav Maharaj's over was the last of the day. It opened the door for the Proteas who will have a new batter to target on Tuesday morning. SA were bowled out for 369 in the final session, leaving Zimbabwe a target of 537. Wiaan Mulder provided further proof that perhaps the no.3 spot may be a long term option for his Test career, with the second century of his career, and his first in his new position in the top order. While Zimbabwe's attack is nowhere near the quality of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins, who Mulder played so effectively against in the second innings of the World Test Championship final, the early loss of an opener in each innings, meant Mulder was under pressure when he arrived at the crease. Unfortunately for Zimbabwe, Blessing Muzarabani, who Mulder acknowledged was difficult to handle in the first innings and then late on the second day, wasn't able to bowl on Monday morning because he was feeling unwell. But there is a different kind of pressure for batters when conditions are in their favour, and Mulder showed the requisite responsibility to take advantage against an attack with just one front line seam bowler. Again there was a lot of loose bowling from the home spinners, allowing Mulder to display his attacking repertoire. At the other end, Tony de Zorzi (31) and David Bedingham (35) wasted their opportunities. De Zorzi, who missed out on the WTC final, again flashed at a delivery outside his off stump, with the edge easily taken by Sean Williams at second slip. In the first innings, Williams dropped De Zorzi in the same spot, before the left-hander was dismissed caught at third slip also off the bowling of Tanaka Chivanga. There is an issue for De Zorzi in that region that he needs to resolve if he wants to win back his spot when everyone is available. Bedingham, who made a three-ball duck in the first innings, can be forgiven for his dismissal as he was trying to keep the scoring rate high, and pulled a short ball from Wellington Masakadza straight to Williams at midwicket. The fact that he missed out on a score of more substance may concern him, especially given the contributions of debutants Pretorius and Dewald Brevis on the first day. 200 Wickets of Pure Class! 🔥🎯 It's milestone time, and Keshav Maharaj reached a monumental mark in his Test journey 🇿🇦👏. The Proteas' spin king claimed his 200th Test wicket on Day 2, a feat built on skill, heart, and relentless consistency over the years 🌟💪. #WozaNawe — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 30, 2025 Mulder remained cool, and went to his hundred with a sumptuous drive before lunch as the Proteas continued to dominate. Pretorius after scoring 153 in the first innings, was bowled by a spectacular leg-break from Vincent Masekesa, that pitched 60cm outside the left-hander's off stump, before cannoning into it. Brevis's dismissal was less the result of good bowling from the wrist-spinner and more his own recklessness, as he was bowled for 3. Needing a boundary to reach 150, Mulder tried to smash Wessly Madhevere over the longest part of the field, but was well caught by Kaitano at midwicket. But 147, that included 17 fours and two sixes, will certainly provide Mulder and coach Shukri Conrad with belief, that he can perform at no.3 and with more important assignments later in the year in the subcontinent, it is a role that will allow the Proteas to tinker with the balance of the starting XI, on pitches that will almost certainly spin. The Proteas pressed on with their second innings through the tea break, with stand-in captain Maharaj to register a sixth half-century. With surface taking turn, Maharaj, who had Masvaure dropped on five by De Zorzi at short-leg, will be setting himself for a long-spell while giving the seamers short bursts from the City End, where there is still some inconsistent bounce for them to target.
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Proteas set sights on Test victory, with Zimbabwe on the ropes
In South Africa's second innings, Wiaan Mulder hit 147 runs off 206 balls. Wiaan Mulder compiled his second Test century for South Africa on day three of the opening Test against Zimbabwe on Monday. Picture:Zimbabwe were left with a seemingly insurmountable mountain to climb at the close of play on Monday, with two days remaining in the first Test against a dominant Proteas team in Bulawayo. When stumps were drawn on day three, Zimbabwe were on 32/1, still needing 505 runs to secure what would be a remarkable victory, with nine wickets in hand. Opening batter Takudzwanashe Kaitano was removed by Corbin Bosch for 12 runs, bringing an end to the day's play with his opening partner Prince Masvaure unbeaten on five. Proteas second innings Earlier on Monday, the Proteas resumed at 49/1 in their second innings in the morning session, leading by 216 runs with nine wickets in hand, with all-rounder Mulder on 25 and fellow top-order batter Tony de Zorzi on 22. De Zorzi was removed for 31 in the sixth over of the day, but Mulder went on to carry the SA team with a memorable contribution, hitting his second career Test century. Mulder, who led the Proteas bowling attack the day before by taking 4/50 with the ball, hit 147 runs off 206 balls in an innings which featured 17 fours and two sixes. It was the fourth ton of the match after Test rookies Lhuan-Dre Pretorius (153) and Corbin Bosch (100 not out), as well as Zimbabwe's Sean Williams (137), reached tons in their respective teams' first innings. Lower-order contribution And the Proteas middle- and lower-order delivered as well – led by captain Keshav Maharaj who made 51 runs – as the visitors racked up 369 runs, setting their hosts a target of 537 to win in the final innings of the match. Left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza took 4/98 to lead Zimbabwe's attack, who were made to toil away but ultimately managed to dismiss the tourists in the final session, with a little more than two days remaining.
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Wiaan Mulder's 147 leads South Africa to commanding position against Zimbabwe
Proteas all-rounder Wiaan Mulder top-scored with 147 in a commanding display against Zimbabwe on Day 3 in Bulawayo. Photo: AFP Image: AFP The Proteas pressed home their advantage on the third day of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, with a magnificent, controlled knock of 147 by Wiaan Mulder guiding to them to 369 in their second innings at the Queens Sports Club, and a commanding lead of 536 runs. The world champions started the day on 49/1 with Tony de Zorzi on 22 and Mulder on 25. Zimbabwe's bowlers toiled in the Illness-enforced absence of star bowler Blessing Muzarabani for most of the day's play. Tanaka Chivanga was left to shoulder much of the seam-bowling load. He proved a handful for the SA batters early on, accounting for the wicket of Tony de Zorzi for 31. All-rounder Mulder and middle-order batter David Bedingham were particularly harsh on spinner Vincent Masekesa, depositing him over the ropes in quick succession, on their way to a 50-run partnership. Fellow spinner Wellington Masakadza broke the partnership when he had Bedingham caught for 35. First-innings centurion Lhuan-dre Pretorius was then bowled by a wicked turning delivery from Masekesa, who also snagged the wicket of Dewald Brevis soon thereafter. But the Zimbabwe bowling attack was struggling to keep the run rate in check, which hovered close to five runs an over throughout the Proteas' innings. Mulder raced to 99 in the over before lunch. A punch through the covers off Chivange's bowling took him to triple figures. The score was 198/5 at the interval. A solid partnership with Kyle Verrynne after the break took the Proteas to 223/5 after 50 overs. Mulder remained untroubled as he approached 150. But an attempted hoik just three runs short of the milestone was caught on the boundary. The departure of the mainstay of the SA innings, for his highest Test score of 147 off 205 balls, was followed soon afterwards by that of wicketkeeper Verreynne. Skipper Keshav Maharaj and Corbin Bosch kept the run rate ticking over at 4.8, both racing past 30 with a flurry of boundaries. The lead ballooned to more than 500 runs at tea, yet there was no sign of the declaration. Muzarabani made a late appearance in the Zimbabwe attack just before tea. He thought he had Bosch out caught behind for 32, but he had overstepped. Maharaj reached his 50 (64), while speedster Kwena Maphaka was the last man out, bowled by Muzarabani, as SA reached 369. The second-inning lead was 536. Zimbabwe's batters made it to the close on 32/1 in their second innings. Takudzwanashe Kaitano was caught for 12 off the bowling of Bosch in the final over the day. They will face a tough ask trying to save the Test on the final day. Zimbabwe v South Africa First Test, Day 3, Stumps South Africa: 418/9 & 369 (Mulder 147, Maharaj 51, Masakadza 4/98, Chivanga 2/76) Zimbabwe: 251 & 32* (Masvaure 5*, Kaitano 12*, Yusuf 0/5, Mulder, Maphaka, Maharaj 0/6) Zimbabwe need 505 runs to win the match with nine wickets remaining
