South Africa set Zimbabwe 537 to win after Mulder's career-best century
Zimbabwe was 32-1 at stumps on day three, trailing by 505 runs with two days to go and without concussed opener Brian Bennett. His replacement, Prince Masvaure, was 5 not out.
A solid start by Zimbabwe was spoiled by opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano edging Corbin Bosch to second slip on what turned out to be the last ball of the day.
Zimbabwe has six 500-plus scores in test cricket, most recently last December against Afghanistan at the same Queens Sports Club. But its highest fourth-innings total was 331 in a 2001 loss to New Zealand, also in Bulawayo.
Considering Zimbabwe was out for 251 in the first innings, South Africa already began the day in charge from leading by 216 at 49-1 in the second innings with Mulder 25 not out.
South Africa was reduced to 155-5 in the morning session but Mulder stood firm and his partnership with Kyle Verreynne, worth 104 in 131 balls into the afternoon, diminished Zimbabwe hopes.
Mulder reached his second test century before lunch, the 100 coming from 149 balls.
After 17 boundaries and two sixes, Mulder was out in the afternoon, caught right on the boundary by Kaitano after taking on Wessly Madhevere.
A late 51 from 70 balls by stand-in Proteas captain Keshav Maharaj, the only other 50-plus score in the second innings, pumped up the total to 369 after the first innings was declared on 418-9.
Maharaj was bowled by Wellington Masakadza, who took 4-98. Tanaka Chivanga and Vincent Masekesa got two wickets each.
___
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Forbes
England Are Part Of Big Three But Can't Beat India Or Australia
India's six-run victory over England at the Oval to square the five-match series was one of the most thrilling ends to a Test match on record. All the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and fortitude were there in full technicolor. This absorbing hour showed that the Test format can still offer a box set drama that the Hundred and T20 can only dream of. BBC Radio's Jonathan Agnew called it the most thrilling saga since the 2005 Ashes. "We're bitterly disappointed we couldn't get the series win, but myself being a massive advocate of the game of Test cricket, this series has been an unbelievable advert for it across the world," said England skipper Ben Stokes. That's true enough, but it was another opportunity spurned for Bazball to beat one of the other members of the Big Three. It's now seven years since England defeated India in a series, and a decade has come and gone since the 3-2 defeat of Australia in the home 2015 Ashes. Most of those barren years came before a current regime that has taken English cricket to new highs of attacking intent. One of the biggest pluses at the beginning of the Brendon McCullum and Stokes blitzkrieg was the actual statistics. England won 11 of the first 13 Tests by risk-taking as the roulette wheel was coming in red, white and blue. The entertainment factor was near enough ten out of ten too, even if the opponents were 'only' New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa. There was no need to dial down the pace or artillery as long as the results column was full of big, fat Ws. England are the great entertainers under Stokes, whose body took a well-earned break from the denouement of this gripping series against Shubman Gill's side. However, despite the new-found roar of the Three Lions, they still lack a killer instinct to punch the lights out of a team that was on the floor and limping. To truly be the best of the Test class takes more than a great stage performance. The rat-a-tat-tat of victory after victory has tailed off with this team. Pound for pound, England look as good as India and Australia at times as the latter are both going through some transition. The Ashes are three months away and there is something building with the return of Jofra Archer and Stokes bowling as well as ever. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett were climbing into the Indian seamers in South London to set up a series win, but at 92-0 and 129-1, the freedom went into overdrive, skidded off the road and let the pursuers off the hook. Likewise, Harry Brook's hack in the second innings let the tourists back in when the white flag was about to be raised. Arguably, India could have won all three of the opening Tests. England's love of the chase got them out of a hole at Headingley. The glorious approach of the pedal to the metal can also be a free get out of jail pass for the opposition. When Bazball was at its peak during the 2023 Ashes opener, England had the chance to punish Pat Cummins' team at Edgbaston, but they chose to declare with centurion Joe Root still undefeated. They were cruising at Lord's with Australia a man down after Nathan Lyon's calf tear and then hobbled themselves with shot selection. The firepower was there; the cavalry charged too hard. If England wants to make a statement beyond the ability to grow the game and leave a legacy that will be remembered, it's time to be more selfish. There's nothing like winning big series. Lifting a trophy is cool, even if, as Scottie Scheffler says, it's a transient moment of joy. 'The one hurdle for this team is to make sure they win,' Michael Vaughan mused on BBC's Today at the Test. Results do matter in the elite world of competitive sport, even if England end up being the best team to watch.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
India tie England series in one of greatest Test finales
Mohammed Siraj has been inspired as India have taken the last four wickets in under an hour to bowl England out for 367 and win an astonishing final Test by six runs to draw the series. Siraj was India's hero on Monday, dismissing Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton before bowling Gus Atkinson to complete a five-wicket haul at The Oval in London. After Prasidh Krishna had bowled Josh Tongue for nought, Chris Woakes walked out to bat wearing a sling to protect his dislocated shoulder with 17 runs still needed. Atkinson hit Siraj for six to give England brief hope and cleverly protected Woakes from the strike, but Siraj produced another brilliant yorker to earn India their narrowest ever Test win. 'With 60-, 70-odd runs to win with seven wickets in hand, you don't get to see many games like this,' India captain Shubman Gill said. 'Very happy to get this over the line, a little bit of luck for us.' England, 301-3 at one stage, lost their last seven wickets for 66 runs, a collapse prompted by Harry Brook's reckless dismissal after he had made a superb century. India suddenly had a chink of hope, and they took full advantage, removing Jacob Bethell and Joe Root (105) before bad light and rain ended the fourth day early. England still needed 35 runs to complete their second highest Test run chase and by far the largest for any team on this ground. The Oval was full for the final act of a series that fluctuated wildly over seven weeks and under grey skies in an atmosphere of unremitting tension as one of the most dramatic endings to a Test match duly played out. It was fitting that Siraj was the main man for India because he had stepped over the boundary cushion after dropping Brook on 19 on Sunday, an error that looked likely to cost his team the game. Woakes was the not-out batsman, having not faced a ball but running bravely in obvious pain. 'I didn't expect him to come out like that, batting with one hand. Kudos to him,' Gill said after his team did a lap of honour.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Chris Woakes ‘all in' and will bat with dislocated shoulder if needed
For the fifth Test in a row, the game is going all the way to the final day after a nerve-wracking fourth evening left all results possible. Brilliant centuries from Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) had England cruising towards a remarkable chase, set fair on 301 for three hunting 374, but they lost three late wickets to leave things in the balance.
