Wiaan Mulder capped a dream debut as captain with a dominant all-round performance, leading South Africa to a crushing innings-and-236-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second Test and sealing a 2-0 series sweep.
Mulder starred with an unbeaten 367 — the fifth-highest individual score in Test cricket history — falling just 33 runs short of Brian Lara’s world record. He also contributed with three wickets and three catches, including the final one, as Zimbabwe suffered its heaviest innings defeat in 20 years.
South Africa declared on 626-5, and Zimbabwe’s combined total of 390 across both innings was still 23 runs short of Mulder’s tally alone. Zimbabwe managed 170 in their first innings before being forced to follow on, eventually bowled out for 220 on the third day.
With regular skipper Temba Bavuma and spinner Keshav Maharaj sidelined by injury, Mulder stepped up as captain and delivered an exceptional performance.
“It was super special to captain the team,” Mulder told SuperSport. “It’s something I dreamt of as a kid. I’m just happy I could make the guys and my family proud.”
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Zimbabwe resumed Day 3 at 51-1 but lost key wickets early, including Sean Williams who was bowled by Mulder for 11. Nick Welch brought some resistance with his third half-century in just his fifth Test but was dismissed shortly after lunch for 55, caught by Mulder off Senuran Muthusamy.
That wicket triggered a collapse, with the final seven wickets falling for just 67 runs. Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine fought hard with a 95-ball 49 but couldn’t turn the tide.
Corbin Bosch impressed with figures of 4-38, while pacer Codi Yusuf took 2-38 and Muthusamy claimed 3-77 with his left-arm spin.
The loss extended Zimbabwe’s winless run in Bulawayo to 22 Tests, including 17 defeats, dating back to 2001. Although the series did not count toward the World Test Championship, it marked South Africa’s first Test tour to Zimbabwe in 11 years.
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South Africa will now stay on in Zimbabwe for a T20 tri-series also featuring New Zealand.
Source: Agency