Proteas too strong for Zimbabwe

The Proteas ran through the rest of the Zimbabwe batting order in the post-lunch session on day three to power their way to a thumping innings and 236-run win in the second test at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo  

The result secured a 2-0 series sweep over the hosts, after the visitors triumphed by 328 runs in the opening test last week, and followed that up with an even bigger win in the second.

The result was built around the record-breaking exploits of captain Wiaan Mulder, leading the Proteas for the first time in the absence of the injured Temba Bavuma.

Mulder slammed the highest score of a South African and the fifth highest in test cricket history, finishing unbeaten on 367 in helping his side amass a monstrous 626/5 batting first, while Zimbabwe could only respond with 170 all out and 220 all out to fall well short in the end.

“It was super special, it’s something I had dreamt of as a kid, to captain your country is one of the biggest honours you can get as a cricketer. So it was a super proud moment for me and my family, and I am glad I could make the guys proud.

“I think a lot of guys put up their hands (over the two test series). Everybody really contributed in their own ways, and that is promising for South African cricket (going forward), and I am excited to see how they go,” said Mulder.

After a fighting morning session had seen Zimbabwe reach lunch on 143/3, they started the afternoon session hoping to continue their quest to take the game into a fourth day.

However, those hopes were soon dashed, as they lost their last seven wickets for 77 runs, with Corbin Bosch, 4/38, Senuran Muthusamy, 3/77, and Codi Yusuf, 2/38, the key wicket takers.

Nick Welch (55) and Craig Ervine (49) were only able to add 10 to the post-lunch score, extending their fourth wicket partnership to 50 runs, before Welch was the first wicket of the session, thanks to a superb delivery from Muthusamy that gripped, turned and took the edge to Mulder at slip.

That started the slide, with Yusuf getting in on the action as he trapped Wesley Madhevere (5) plumb in front, before having Tafadzwa Tsiga (1) chip to Lesego Senokwane at short midwicket, as they stumbled to 177/6.

It was then the Bosch show as he had Ervine edging behind to keeper Kyle Verreynne just one run short of a half century, bowled Kundai Matigimu for his second duck of the match, and had Blessing Muzarabani edging to Senokwane at third slip for an 11-ball duck, as they crashed to 184/9.

Last man Tanaka Chivanga (22) and Wellington Masakadza (17no) staged a final wicket stand of 36 runs, before Muthusamy had Chivanga fitting top edging to man of the moment Mulder at short leg to end the innings and match.

Earlier in the match, Mulder was the chief contributor for the Proteas, backed up by Bedingham (82) and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (78) as they cruised to a mammoth total, with the captain then selflessly declaring at lunch on day two.

Zimbabwe was then blown away in their first innings, with Williams' unbeaten counter-attacking 83 off 55 balls saving their blushes to an extent, while debutant spinner Prenelan Subrayen, 4/42, was the pick of the bowlers, backed up by Mulder, 2/20, and Yusuf, 2/20.