South Africa delivered a resounding performance against Zimbabwe in the second Test, sealing a dominant innings and 236-run victory at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The win marked a 2-0 series sweep and extended the Proteas’ Test match winning streak to ten consecutive games, their longest in history. The match was defined by a historic individual performance from Wiaan Mulder, who stepped in as stand-in captain and played a monumental unbeaten innings of 367 runs.
His score is now the highest individual total by a South African in Test cricket, surpassing Hashim Amla’s 311 not out. Mulder reached his triple century in just 297 balls, making it the second fastest triple century in the history of Test cricket. His innings included 49 fours and 4 sixes, underlining his dominance at the crease.
Despite being within reach of Brian Lara’s legendary 400 run world record, Mulder made the extraordinary decision to declare the innings at lunch on Day 2, choosing team success over a personal milestone. He explained that chasing a record in such circumstances didn’t sit well with him and expressed deep respect for Lara’s legacy. This gesture earned him admiration from fans, cricket experts, and his coach, Shukri Conrad, who praised Mulder’s maturity and leadership. The Proteas had already posted an imposing 626 for 5 declared by the time the declaration was made, putting Zimbabwe under immediate pressure.
In response, Zimbabwe struggled with the bat in both innings. They were bundled out for 170 in their first attempt, with South African fast bowler Corbin Bosch leading the attack by taking four wickets for just 38 runs. Left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy added to Zimbabwe’s woes by chipping in with three wickets. Forced to follow on, Zimbabwe’s batting faltered once again, this time managing only 220 runs. No significant resistance was offered, and South Africa’s bowlers wrapped up the match comfortably inside three days.
What made the result even more impressive was that South Africa fielded a largely youthful side, with many of their senior players rested after winning the 2025 ICC World Test Championship earlier in the year. Emerging stars like Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius contributed to a spirited team performance, demonstrating that South Africa’s cricket future is in good hands. Coach Conrad praised the squad for maintaining high intensity and professionalism despite the relative inexperience of the playing XI.
This series win not only highlighted South Africa’s cricketing depth, but also sent a clear signal to upcoming opponents, including Pakistan, whom they are scheduled to tour in October.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will look to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming home series against New Zealand later this month. For now, the Proteas’ combination of youth, discipline, and sportsmanship has set a new benchmark, and their ten match winning streak stands as a testament to the strength and promise of this evolving team.
Leave a Reply