S Africa reach 418-9 v Zimbabwe as teenager Pretorius bags debut ton
June 28 (Reuters) - Teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored 153 on debut and Corbin Bosch an unbeaten maiden century as a much-changed South Africa reached 418 for nine on the opening day of the first test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Saturday.
After electing to bat, South Africa were in early trouble at 55-4 with the ball nipping around in the fresh morning conditions, but Pretorius, 19, put on 95 for the fifth wicket with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis (51) to change the course of the innings.
Bosch's late burst provided a first test century for the all-rounder as he finished unbeaten on 100 from 124 balls and will resume on the second day with Kwena Maphaka, who has nine.
The touring side have only four starters from the side who won the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's this month, with several players rested and captain Temba Bavuma unavailable due to injury.
Pretorius' 153 came from 160 balls as the left-hander became the youngest South African to score a century on test debut, hitting 11 fours and four sixes.
Zimbabwe twice felt they had him caught behind, but with no third umpire in operation for the two-game series, their vociferous appeals were turned down with no way to challenge the decisions.
Seamer Tanaka Chivanga got early joy for the hosts with an excellent spell of bowling, picking up three wickets in the first session and adding the prized scalp of Pretorius for figures of 4-83.
The South African youngster tried to pull a steep bouncer from Chivanga but succeeded only in skying the ball to Wellington Masakadza at mid-on.
Chivanga removed openers Tony de Zorzi (0) and Matthew Breetzke (13), and David Bedingham (0) in his first spell, bringing Pretorius to the wicket with the score on 23.
Wiaan Mulder (17) looked in good touch before he was run out chasing a quick single, but Brevis and Pretorius shared a quickfire 95-run partnership in 86 balls to swing the momentum South Africa's way.
Kyle Verreynne (10) came and went cheaply, before Pretorius and Bosch added 108 for the seventh wicket to put the tourists firmly in control.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Gossip: Magpies interested in Kudus move
West Ham would be open to offers of about £60m for 24-year-old Ghana forward Mohammed Kudus, who has attracted interest from Newcastle, Chelsea and Manchester United. (Guardian), externalWant more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Devon cricket clubs working with police on anti-theft campaign
The police are working with cricket clubs in Devon on a new crime prevention scheme, following a recent spate of thefts in the & Belstone Cricket Club, in the Okehampton area, is one of the affected clubs and had some of its equipment stolen prior to the season and Cornwall Police is now joining forces with the Devon Cricket Foundation to try to stop further thefts from happening, using the SmartWater property marking Cricket Foundation's funding and facilities manager, Nick Goodliffe, said the scheme would act as a "significant deterrent" to thieves. 50 clubs registered Bridestowe & Belstone Cricket Club said the recent thefts had put a big strain on its finances. But Devon & Cornwall Police is providing heavily subsidised property marking kits, which uses liquid containing a unique forensic code to mark items, in the hope of preventing further crime in the Goodliffe said 50 clubs had signed up to the system so far across Devon and Cornwall and told BBC Radio Devon it was "very pleasing" to hear from the police."While this property marking scheme will primarily enable stolen goods to be returned to owners, it will also act as a significant deterrent as thieves will observe the signage provided as part of the kit and will, in many cases, move on elsewhere." 'More the merrier' Mr Goodliffe encouraged the cricket community to ensure they are protected from theft and the subsequent challenges it causes.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Nathan Lyon denies he's planning his retirement - despite quitting one of the most important jobs in the Australian cricket team
Veteran Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has rejected speculation he is planning to retire from Test cricket - despite passing on his coveted role as the team's designated songmaster in the sheds following a victory. Lyon, 37, scribbled a note to wicketkeeper Alex Carey one night during the recent first Test in Barbados against the West Indies saying that it was his time to assume the position. Previous stars to have held the honour include Ian Healy, Allan Border, Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer and Mike Hussey. 'There's no talk about me retiring or even thoughts coming in my head,' Lyon told reporters. 'It's more about the team environment, making sure that I get the opportunity to pass it onto someone who I look at and absolutely love and the way he goes about it on and off the field. 'And I feel like Alex is the perfect candidate. I feel like I've run my race with it, and it's time for someone else to put their touch on.' The role involves leading the team in a rendition of the song Under the Southern Cross I Stand, which famously finishes with the line, 'Australia, you f**king beauty!' Lyon - who turns 38 a day before the first Ashes Test in Perth on November 21 - went onto reiterate his future plans in the traditional form of the game. They include winning a series in India and then on English soil. The man affectionately known as 'Garry' is also closing in on Glenn McGrath's feat of 563 Test wickets - but Shane Warne's record of 708 is safe. 'Warney's a long way away. In my eyes, he's the greatest to ever play the game,' Lyon said. 'I'm just lucky to be part of a pretty special cricket team at the moment. 'We are on our way to becoming a great cricket team... but we are not there yet.' Lyon made his Test debut in 2011 versus Sri Lanka in Galle, taking a wicket with his first ball. The second Test against the West Indies begins on July 4 at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada. Australia needs only a draw across either of the final two Tests to retain the Frank Worrell Trophy, held by the visitors for more than three decades.
