
Mulder leads from the front with mighty unbeaten 264
Mulder made 264 not out, the highest score by a player in his first Test innings as captain, eclipsing Graham Dowling's 239 for New Zealand against India 56 years ago.
The 27-year-old all-rounder took over as captain from the injured Keshav Maharaj and led from the front as the touring side thrashed the ball to all corners of the Queens Sports Club on Sunday.
It was a second successive century for Mulder, who hit 147 in the second innings of South Africa's 328-run win in the first Test.
His century came up in 118 balls and his double ton in 214, the second fastest by a South African in Test cricket, and as the run rate increased he got to 250 off 243 balls including 35 boundaries.
South Africa, playing without many of the key players who helped them to win the World Test Championship final against Australia last month, were put into bat by Zimbabwe, who removed openers Tony de Zorzi (10) and debutant Lesogo Senokwane (3) cheaply in a positive start.
But Mulder, promoted up the order to No.3 since the Lord's final, and David Bedingham put on 184 runs for the third wicket before the latter was trapped lbw by Tanaka Chivanga for 82.
Teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius was aggressive from the outset and scored 78 off 87 balls before top edging and being caught to end a 217-run partnership with Mulder.
After Pretorius was dismissed, Zimbabwe took the new ball and Mulder was bowled when on 247, only for a no ball to be called as Chivanga had overstepped.
Mulder will resume with Dewald Brevis, who is 15 not out, after Sunday's play was halted by bad light just before the close.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Advertiser
13 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Williamson, Bracewell skip NZ Test tour to Zimbabwe
Kane Williamson and Michael Bracewell will skip the upcoming two-Test tour of Zimbabwe with the blessing of New Zealand Cricket, while paceman Ben Sears has been ruled out by a side injury. Rob Walter, who replaced Gary Stead as coach last month, named his first Test squad on Tuesday, awarding a call-up to uncapped young fast bowler Matt Fisher and recalling experienced hands Ajaz Patel and Henry Nicholls. "Kane and Michael were up front with New Zealand Cricket about their availability for this tour during the contracting process," Walter said in a news release. "While all Test matches are hugely special and important, the fact these Tests aren't part of the World Test Championship did influence the discussions on this occasion. "We will obviously miss their talent and class, but it allows an opportunity to others and we're lucky to be able to call on the likes of Ajaz and Henry, who are both proven performers at Test level." Allrounder Bracewell has been allowed to miss the tour to play in The Hundred in England, while paceman Kyle Jamieson has elected to stay in New Zealand for the birth of his first child. Jamieson's absence offers potential opportunities for Fisher and Jacob Duffy, who has played short-format matches for New Zealand but is yet to win a Test cap, in the two matches in Bulawayo in late July and early August. NEW ZEALAND TEST SQUAD: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young Kane Williamson and Michael Bracewell will skip the upcoming two-Test tour of Zimbabwe with the blessing of New Zealand Cricket, while paceman Ben Sears has been ruled out by a side injury. Rob Walter, who replaced Gary Stead as coach last month, named his first Test squad on Tuesday, awarding a call-up to uncapped young fast bowler Matt Fisher and recalling experienced hands Ajaz Patel and Henry Nicholls. "Kane and Michael were up front with New Zealand Cricket about their availability for this tour during the contracting process," Walter said in a news release. "While all Test matches are hugely special and important, the fact these Tests aren't part of the World Test Championship did influence the discussions on this occasion. "We will obviously miss their talent and class, but it allows an opportunity to others and we're lucky to be able to call on the likes of Ajaz and Henry, who are both proven performers at Test level." Allrounder Bracewell has been allowed to miss the tour to play in The Hundred in England, while paceman Kyle Jamieson has elected to stay in New Zealand for the birth of his first child. Jamieson's absence offers potential opportunities for Fisher and Jacob Duffy, who has played short-format matches for New Zealand but is yet to win a Test cap, in the two matches in Bulawayo in late July and early August. NEW ZEALAND TEST SQUAD: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young Kane Williamson and Michael Bracewell will skip the upcoming two-Test tour of Zimbabwe with the blessing of New Zealand Cricket, while paceman Ben Sears has been ruled out by a side injury. Rob Walter, who replaced Gary Stead as coach last month, named his first Test squad on Tuesday, awarding a call-up to uncapped young fast bowler Matt Fisher and recalling experienced hands Ajaz Patel and Henry Nicholls. "Kane and Michael were up front with New Zealand Cricket about their availability for this tour during the contracting process," Walter said in a news release. "While all Test matches are hugely special and important, the fact these Tests aren't part of the World Test Championship did influence the discussions on this occasion. "We will obviously miss their talent and class, but it allows an opportunity to others and we're lucky to be able to call on the likes of Ajaz and Henry, who are both proven performers at Test level." Allrounder Bracewell has been allowed to miss the tour to play in The Hundred in England, while paceman Kyle Jamieson has elected to stay in New Zealand for the birth of his first child. Jamieson's absence offers potential opportunities for Fisher and Jacob Duffy, who has played short-format matches for New Zealand but is yet to win a Test cap, in the two matches in Bulawayo in late July and early August. NEW ZEALAND TEST SQUAD: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young


West Australian
16 hours ago
- West Australian
Williamson, Bracewell skip NZ Test tour to Zimbabwe
Kane Williamson and Michael Bracewell will skip the upcoming two-Test tour of Zimbabwe with the blessing of New Zealand Cricket, while paceman Ben Sears has been ruled out by a side injury. Rob Walter, who replaced Gary Stead as coach last month, named his first Test squad on Tuesday, awarding a call-up to uncapped young fast bowler Matt Fisher and recalling experienced hands Ajaz Patel and Henry Nicholls. "Kane and Michael were up front with New Zealand Cricket about their availability for this tour during the contracting process," Walter said in a news release. "While all Test matches are hugely special and important, the fact these Tests aren't part of the World Test Championship did influence the discussions on this occasion. "We will obviously miss their talent and class, but it allows an opportunity to others and we're lucky to be able to call on the likes of Ajaz and Henry, who are both proven performers at Test level." Allrounder Bracewell has been allowed to miss the tour to play in The Hundred in England, while paceman Kyle Jamieson has elected to stay in New Zealand for the birth of his first child. Jamieson's absence offers potential opportunities for Fisher and Jacob Duffy, who has played short-format matches for New Zealand but is yet to win a Test cap, in the two matches in Bulawayo in late July and early August. NEW ZEALAND TEST SQUAD: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young


7NEWS
16 hours ago
- 7NEWS
South Africa's Wiaan Mulder sacrifices shot at Brian Lara's Test record during match against Zimbabwe
South Africa stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder felt he had no right to dislodge West Indies great Brian Lara from the summit of highest Test innings scores and decided to declare his team's innings against Zimbabwe when he was 33 runs short of breaking the record. Mulder opted to end his epic knock so not to catch Lara's landmark 400 not out as his side posted 5-626 on day two of the second Test in Bulawayo. It was a surprise decision with the 27-year-old all-rounder close to a unique cricketing milestone, but he did achieve the fifth-highest Test innings, after being 264 not out overnight. Mulder then took two wickets as South Africa dismissed Zimbabwe for 170 in their reply and forced the follow-on to see their hosts 1-51 in their second innings at the close, still trailing by 405 runs. Mulder, leading the side for the first time as a depleted team take on their neighbours in a two-match series, hit 53 boundaries (49 fours and four sixes) in his knock. With plenty of time still left in the Test, he was expected to bat into the second session to chase down Lara's 21-year-old record score for the West Indies against England in Antigua. But Mulder turned down the chance and declared at lunch, later explaining he had no regrets. 'First things first. I thought we'd got enough and needed a bowl. And, secondly, Brian Lara is a legend, let's be real,' Mulder said at the close of play on Monday. 'He got 400 against England (in Antigua in 2004) and for someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special. I think if I get the chance again, I'd probably do the same thing.' 'I spoke to Shuks (head coach Shukri Conrad) - and spoke about letting the legends keep (that record). Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be.' He had brought up 300 runs in Monday's morning session, scoring them off 297 balls for the second fastest triple century in Test cricket, and then passed Hashim Amla's record score for a South African of 311 not out against England at the Oval in 2012 and got to 350 in 324 balls. But the decision not to go for the record stunned and divided cricket fans. Cricket journalist John Etheridge said on social media: 'So he declared at lunch with 367 not out. That's impressively selfless.' And another: 'The Spirit of Cricket lives on in Wiaan Mulder.' And another hailed Mulder when he explained why he made the call: 'This is the most impressive interview with a sports person I have heard in a long time. Funny, humble, insightful. The opposite of the arrogant, glory hunting 'personalities' we see today. And another: 'Class and character!! Good luck for a long successful memorable career!' But others thought it was the wrong call. 'Ridiculous. Records are there to be broken,' one fan said blasted. While another thought it changed the fabric of Lara's record. 'What it's done is changed the nature of the record; it's no longer organic,' they said. And another: 'What utter nonsense. It's sport, you take what you can get. Kallis never scored a triple, so why eclipse him, or for that matter Amla. So he thinks he is better than them.' And another: 'This is honestly just stupid.' Mulder returned figures of 2-20 in six overs as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 170 in their reply, although spinner Prenelan Subrayen was the best of bowlers with 4-42 on his debut. Zimbabwe's 38-year-old Sean Williams, who had been sick and off the field during South Africa's knock, came in lower than usual down the home batting order at No. 7 but still scored almost half his side's runs with an unbeaten 83 off 55 balls. Takudzwanashe Kaitano, who was bowled first ball in Zimbabwe's first innings, was 34 not out in the follow-on along with Nick Welch (11), and they will resume the third day's play on Tuesday. South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 328 runs in last week's first test in Bulawayo and look well on course to win their 10th test in a row.