Pretorius Clinches Player of the Match Award After Remarkable Debut Century

BULAWAYO: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, in his debut match, secured a record-breaking century. This achievement, combined with Corbin Bosch’s outstanding all-around performance, significantly contributed to South Africa’s dominant 328-run triumph over Zimbabwe. The match took place at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday, marking the first Test of the two-match series.

Faced with a challenging target of 537 runs, Zimbabwe’s batting lineup faltered, scoring only 208, leading to a substantial 328-run defeat.

Zimbabwe’s second innings began with Prince Masvaure and Nick Welch at 32/1 but immediately faced a setback when Bosch dismissed Welch on the very first ball. Following this, Sean Williams, who scored a century in the first innings, briefly partnered with Masvaure, adding 32 runs.

Williams contributed a swift 26 off 18 balls before being caught behind off Bosch’s delivery. Zimbabwe then suffered further losses, quickly declining to 82/6 and still needing 455 runs to win.

Subsequently, captain Craig Ervine and Wellington Masakadza attempted a recovery, collaborating for 83 runs for the sixth wicket. Bosch disrupted this crucial partnership by dismissing Ervine, who scored 49 from 77 balls, including seven boundaries.

Masakadza then formed a small eight-run partnership with Vincent Masekesa before being dismissed by Codi Yusuf. Masakadza emerged as Zimbabwe’s highest scorer in the chase, scoring 57 off 92 balls with nine boundaries.

Blessing Muzarabani, Zimbabwe’s number 10, also contributed with an aggressive 32 not out from 29 balls, featuring four fours and two sixes.

Bosch stood out as South Africa’s premier bowler in the second innings, claiming five wickets for 43 runs in 12 overs. Yusuf supported with three wickets, while Keshav Maharaj and Dewald Brevis each took one.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius was named Player of the Match for his impressive 153 in the initial innings, which was vital in South Africa’s total of 418/9d.

Zimbabwe responded with 251, despite Williams’s century, as Wiaan Mulder’s four-wicket performance dismantled their batting order.

Mulder also demonstrated his batting skills in the second innings, scoring a century at number three, which proved crucial in enabling South Africa to set an imposing target.