Mulder's best-ever century sets South Africa on the path to victory in Bulawayo
Mulder's best-ever century sets South Africa on the path to victory in Bulawayo
South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder delivered a spectacular performance with a career-best 147, putting his team in a commanding position against Zimbabwe.
By the second hour of Day 3 in Bulawayo, things were looking very difficult for Zimbabwe. South Africa were in control, with Wiaan Mulder and David Bedingham adding 72 runs together at a quick pace. Zimbabwe’s top fast bowler, Blessing Muzarabani, was off the field due to illness, and the team looked out of ideas. Their field placements were defensive, and South Africa was scoring freely.
But Zimbabwe finally got a bit of luck. In the 33rd over, Wellington Masakadza bowled a short ball to Bedingham, who went for a pull shot but didn’t time it well. Instead of sending it to the boundary, he hit it straight to midwicket and was out for 35. That breakthrough gave Zimbabwe a boost. They picked up two more quick wickets, with South Africa losing 3 wickets for just 19 runs in five overs. It was the only phase of play where Zimbabwe had the upper hand.
Apart from that brief moment, South Africa dominated the day. Mulder had earlier put together 63 runs with Tony de Zorzi and later formed a strong 104-run stand with Kyle Verreynne. Mulder batted brilliantly, scoring a career-best 147 runs with a strike rate over 70, putting South Africa in a very strong position. They were eventually bowled out for 369 in their second innings and set Zimbabwe a massive target of 537 to win. By the end of the day, Zimbabwe were 32 for 1.
Mulder had started the day patiently. He lost de Zorzi early, who edged a ball from Tanaka Chivanga to slip for 31. But whenever the bowlers gave him room or bowled too full, Mulder didn’t miss out driving the ball to the fence. Bedingham, at the other end, got going quickly and kept the pressure on Zimbabwe.
In the 24th over, Mulder brought up his half-century with a big six over midwicket off Masakadza, and by then South Africa’s lead had crossed 250. Zimbabwe turned to spin for the next nine overs, but that didn’t help much either. Mulder and Bedingham added 44 runs during that phase without much trouble.
Bedingham’s soft dismissal gave Zimbabwe a small opening. Vincent Masekesa then made good use of the rough outside off stump and bowled Lhuan-dre Pretorius for just 4. He followed that up by dismissing Dewald Brevis for 3, who tried a wild shot and was caught.
South Africa were 155 for 5 at this point. Mulder, though, didn’t let the pressure get to him. He hit three boundaries in quick time and got to his second Test century with another four. By the time lunch came, South Africa were 352 runs ahead.
In the second session, Mulder and Verreynne continued to score at a good pace. Zimbabwe’s bowlers, especially Masekesa and Chivanga, struggled with their lines and lengths. Though the spinners were getting some turn, the two batsmen handled them with ease, and Zimbabwe’s fielders looked tired and out of energy.
Eventually, Mulder fell to a short ball from Wessly Madhevere, caught at deep midwicket. Just three balls later, Verreynne edged Masakadza to slip and was out for 36. At 259 for 7, Zimbabwe hoped they could wrap up the South African innings quickly but things didn’t go their way.
South Africa’s captain Keshav Maharaj and Corbin Bosch added 92 runs together, stretching Zimbabwe’s problems further. Maharaj started carefully but then opened up. From the 61st over, the pair added 47 runs in eight overs and pushed the lead close to 500.
Just before tea, Zimbabwe had a chance when Muzarabani had Bosch caught at slip but it turned out to be a no-ball. Maharaj reached his fifty in the 77th over, but Masakadza struck soon after to bowl Bosch for 36. He then removed Maharaj, too, who missed the ball trying to charge down the pitch. Muzarabani finally returned to take the last wicket Kwena Maphaka bringing an end to South Africa’s second innings.
With a huge target of 537 in front of them and the day almost done, Zimbabwe’s openers Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Prince Masvaure played very defensively. They managed just eight runs in the first seven overs. A large portion of their 32 runs by the end of the day came from extras. But in the final over, Kaitano edged a ball from Bosch to slip, and Zimbabwe lost their first wicket.
It was a hard day for the home side, with only a few moments going their way. South Africa’s strong batting and partnerships left Zimbabwe with a mountain to climb. If you’d like, I can also turn this into a day-wise match summary or a snappy thread for social media.