Zimbabwe Faces Innings Defeat After Mulder’s Record Score

BULAWAYO: South Africa is on the verge of securing an innings victory against Zimbabwe in the second Test at Queens Sports Club, thanks to Wiaan Mulder’s monumental 367-run innings and a strong showing from their bowling attack. Mulder is standing in as captain.

At the close of play on day two, Zimbabwe’s score stood at 51/1, still trailing by 405 runs after being forced to follow on, having been dismissed for 170 in their first innings.

Earlier, South Africa resumed their first innings at 465/4, with Mulder and Dewald Brevis at the crease, continuing to dominate Zimbabwe’s bowling.

The pair extended their fifth-wicket partnership by 48 runs before Brevis was caught out by Kundai Matigimu in the day’s ninth over. Brevis contributed 30 runs from 35 balls, including four boundaries.

Mulder then partnered with wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne for a 113-run stand, during which he surpassed Hashim Amla’s record for the highest individual score in a Test innings by a South African batter.

Mulder was nearing Brian Lara’s world record, trailing by only 34 runs. However, he chose to declare South Africa’s first innings at 626/5.

He remained unbeaten at 367, the highest score for the visiting team, after facing 410 deliveries and hitting 49 fours and four sixes. Verreynne remained not out on 42 from 62 balls.

For Zimbabwe, Matigimu and Tanaka Chivanga claimed two wickets each, with Wellington Masakadza taking one.

Zimbabwe’s batting lineup struggled against Prenelan Subrayen, who took four wickets, resulting in a meager total of 170.

Sean Williams showcased resilience with an unbeaten 83 off 94 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, marking the highest score for Zimbabwe. Wessly Madhevere (25) was the next highest scorer after Williams.

Subrayen was the most effective bowler for South Africa, recording figures of 4/42 in 10 overs. Wiaan Mulder and Codi Yusuf took two wickets each, while Senuran Muthusamy and Corbin Bosch claimed one wicket each.

South Africa’s captain, Mulder, enforced the follow-on after Zimbabwe fell short by 456 runs.

Zimbabwe’s second innings began poorly, with Bosch dismissing opener Dion Myers (11) in the 10th over, leaving the score at 31/1.

Following the early setback, Nick Welch and Takudzwanashe Kaitano formed a cautious 20-run partnership, ensuring no further wickets fell.

Kaitano and Welch, who are undefeated on 34 and six respectively, will resume Zimbabwe’s second innings from 51/1, needing 405 runs to avoid an innings defeat.