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Associated Press
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
South Africa set Zimbabwe 537 to win after Mulder's career-best century
BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (AP) — South Africa set Zimbabwe 537 runs to win the first test after Wiaan Mulder's career-best 147 on Monday. 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:
The Herald
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Proteas rocked by Zimbabwean seamers in Bulawayo
Zimbabwe stunned neighbours South Africa on the first morning of the opening Test in Bulawayo, picking up four wickets to claim the ascendancy at lunch. The newly crowned World Test champions were 90/4 at the interval, with Zimbabwe's two seamers Tanaka Chivanga and Blessing Muzarabani dominating the Proteas batters. Debutants Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dewald Brevis will resume after the break, with the former, who counterattacked superbly, on 44 and Brevis, who looked tense, on 10. Zimbabwe's captain Craig Ervine wasn't displeased when Keshav Maharaj won the toss and chose to bat. The Proteas' stand-in skipper felt there would be assistance for the seamers in the first hour, but that his side — containing three debutants and missing seven players who won the Test mace at Lord's — could make progress once the surface dried and the ball softened. But it was soon clear why Ervine was so relaxed about bowling, with Muzarabani, extracting movement and prodigious bounce to trouble both of the South African openers. Tony de Zorzi was lucky to survive the first over, and was dropped by Sean Williams off the fourth ball of the match at second slip. But the 23 minutes De Zorzi spent at the crease made for painful viewing. He struggled against the steepling bounce from Muzarabani and when Zimbabwe eventually switched to Chivanga after two overs from spinner Wellington Masakadza, they finally gained reward. An edge, off the 16th ball De Zorzi faced, was taken at third slip by Brian Bennett and from there the hosts dominated the rest of the first hour. Matthew Breetzke, after making a first-ball duck on debut in Bangladesh last year, would have been thrilled to get off the mark in Test cricket, but having played one lovely cover drive, then also edged Chivanga to Bennett after scoring 13. David Bedingham lasted just three balls, and like Breetzke was undone by the extra bounce from Chivanga, edging to first slip where Ervine took a comfortable catch. Pretorius arrived at the crease, and almost immediately changed the momentum of the South African innings, charging down the wicket to Masakadza and smashing his fourth ball for six over long-off. His next delivery he thumped through the covers for four and Zimbabwe were forced on the defensive by the teenager. A partnership of 32 with Wiaan Mulder provided some respite, but then Mulder, who was looking comfortable in what was just his fifth innings in the No.3 spot, was stupidly run out by Muzarabani for 17. He hesitated when called through for a single by Pretorius, for what was a risky single given the circumstances of the South African innings. However the lanky Muzarabani also deserves credit for reaching the ball quickly in his follow-through and then accurately throwing down the stumps. Brevis' first runs were fortuitous — an inside edge past the stumps against Masakadza — but he, like his provincial teammate Pretorius, looked to take the attack to the Zimbabweans. Pretorius was the beneficiary of good fortune on 30, when an edge that was clearly audible on the stump mic wasn't heard by umpire Richard Illingworth, much to the chagrin of the Zimbabweans. One of the fielders could clearly be heard telling Pretorius that he has 'to walk for those', but the youngster was unmoved and even shared his own thoughts with the opposition. Because of costs, Zimbabwe Cricket hasn't been able to install the technology needed for the Decision Review System. The hosts will also regret not picking a third seamer, having seen how much assistance there was for Muzarabani and Chivanga. The Proteas meanwhile have four seamers at their disposal, with Maharaj the only front-line spin option, though Brevis' leg-spin might also be used later.
CNA
26-06-2025
- Sport
- CNA
South Africa to test new players against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo
South Africa tasted long-awaited success with victory in the World Test Championship final against Australia earlier this month, but there will be several new faces for the first test against Zimbabwe that starts in Bulawayo on Saturday. Captain Temba Bavuma has not recovered from a hamstring injury sustained in the five-wicket win at Lord's, while batters Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs, and bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi, are all rested. The latter will be available for the second test, but with seven of the XI who started at Lord's missing the series opener at the Queen's Sports Club, it will be a new-look line-up with much to prove. Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis and 19-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius are all young, attacking batters, and it is likely at least two of the three will play. The more experienced Lesego Senokwane could also make his international debut. The expected slow wicket means stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj and off-spinning all-rounder Prenelan Subrayen will likely both play, but firebrand 19-year-old fast bowler Kwena Maphaka, who debuted against Pakistan earlier this year, could also be given a chance. Uncapped seamer Codi Yusuf is also in the squad. "I think there's a lot of guys who want to prove a point, why they're here, and how well they've played over the last couple of domestic seasons to get here," all-rounder Wiaan Mulder told reporters. "We look at ourselves as world champions. That's the standard we set for ourselves. Everybody has that in the back of their mind. We are not trying to become something new. 'The guys that are going to fill a spot or take someone like Ricks' (Rickelton) or Marco's (Jansen) place are going to put them under pressure when they come back." Zimbabwe will also be missing several of their regular players, including the injured pair of batter Ben Curran and new-ball bowler Richard Ngarava. Experienced middle-order batter and spin option Sikandar Raza has opted to play in Major League Cricket over this period. 'There's a real buzz around the squad. I think they're very excited. I'm super excited for the challenge that lies ahead and the guys are amped for it,' Zimbabwe's South African-born coach Justin Sammons said. 'They're looking forward to testing themselves and showing what they're capable of. I think they really want to make a statement over the next couple of weeks.'
CNA
18-06-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Test championship win proves South Africa's cricket credentials
Victory in the World Test Championship final over Australia ended South Africa's agonising 27-year wait for an ICC trophy, and coach Shukri Conrad believes more success is not far off following a rapturous welcome home in Johannesburg on Wednesday. South Africa won by five wickets at Lord's to end decades of heartache in major ICC competitions and were celebrated by several thousand supporters at OR Tambo International airport. Conrad has been test coach for a little over two years but also recently took over the white ball teams. He believes the triumph can be a catalyst for success across all formats. "If you have a test team that is strong and plays regularly, that has spin-offs for the other formats," he told reporters. "When you have a good test team, you'll have good teams in (white ball cricket) because a good player is a good player." The amount of test cricket South Africa play has been a major talking point with Conrad previously saying it was no secret they want more games. But the new world champions are not scheduled to play a home test until October 2026, and will take a weakened squad on a two-test tour of Zimbabwe that starts on June 28. Scheduling more games is a complex issue given the cost of hosting series for cash-strapped Cricket South Africa. Conrad says while their financial muscle means they may not match the so-called 'Big Three' of India, Australia and England off the field of play, they can certainly do so on it. "We don't feel like underdogs and we believe we are one of the top teams in the world," he said. "We may not have played Australia and England in the league phase (of the World Test Championship) but we played Australia in the final and would not have had it any other way. "We feel we belong at the main table. (Being underdogs) was never a conversation in our team meetings. Everyone dubbed Australia as favourites, perhaps on the back of their experience more than anything else. "But we create our own reality and are the test champions now."
Reuters
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Test championship win proves South Africa's cricket credentials
June 18 (Reuters) - Victory in the World Test Championship final over Australia ended South Africa's agonising 27-year wait for an ICC trophy, and coach Shukri Conrad believes more success is not far off following a rapturous welcome home in Johannesburg on Wednesday. South Africa won by five wickets at Lord's to end decades of heartache in major ICC competitions and were celebrated by several thousand supporters at OR Tambo International airport. Conrad has been test coach for a little over two years but also recently took over the white ball teams. He believes the triumph can be a catalyst for success across all formats. "If you have a test team that is strong and plays regularly, that has spin-offs for the other formats," he told reporters. "When you have a good test team, you'll have good teams in (white ball cricket) because a good player is a good player." The amount of test cricket South Africa play has been a major talking point with Conrad previously saying it was no secret they want more games. But the new world champions are not scheduled to play a home test until October 2026, and will take a weakened squad on a two-test tour of Zimbabwe that starts on June 28. Scheduling more games is a complex issue given the cost of hosting series for cash-strapped Cricket South Africa. Conrad says while their financial muscle means they may not match the so-called 'Big Three' of India, Australia and England off the field of play, they can certainly do so on it. "We don't feel like underdogs and we believe we are one of the top teams in the world," he said. "We may not have played Australia and England in the league phase (of the World Test Championship) but we played Australia in the final and would not have had it any other way. "We feel we belong at the main table. (Being underdogs) was never a conversation in our team meetings. Everyone dubbed Australia as favourites, perhaps on the back of their experience more than anything else. "But we create our own reality and are the test champions now."
