Second-string SA complete routine win vs Zimbabwe in second Test

South Africa completed a comprehensive win by an innings and 236 runs after Zimbabwe collapsed after lunch on the third day of the second Test at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.

Fast bowlers Corbin Bosch (four for 38) and Codi Yusuf (two for 38), together with left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy (three for 77) were mainly responsible for bowling out Zimbabwe for 220 in the second innings.

Despite fielding what was effectively a second-string team, South Africa were in control of the match from the start as stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder’s South African record 367 not out led them to a total of 626 for five declared.

“Everything came together,” said Mulder.

“A lot of guys put up their hands. Everybody contributed in their own way and that is promising for South African cricket.”

Zimbabwe provided resistance in losing only two wickets before lunch on Tuesday after resuming on 51 for one.

Nick Welch made 55 and captain Craig Ervine scored 49 after the early dismissal of overnight batsman Takudzwanashe Kaitano (40).

But Zimbabwe collapsed after the interval against the pace bowling of Yusuf and Bosch. Six wickets fell for 31 runs before Wellington Masakadza and Tanaka Chivanga added 36 for the last wicket.

“Guys got in but then got out, including myself,” said Ervine. “The South African guys who got in scored big. If we are going to compete at Test level we need those big hundreds.”

It was the 10th successive Test win for world champions South Africa, one more than their previous most successful streak between 2001 and 2003.

South Africa, who won the first Test at the same venue by 328 runs, completed a dominant 2-0 series win despite resting most of the players who won the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s in London last month.

Zimbabwe were without two leading batsmen in Brian Bennett, who was concussed in the first Test, and Ben Curran, who missed the series with a broken hand.

But Mulder and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne were the only players who featured in South Africa’s win against Australia.

The world champions introduced five debutants over the two matches but still outclassed their neighbours.

Zimbabwe and South Africa meet again in Harare on Monday at the start of a T20 triangular series which also includes New Zealand.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” added Ervine, also looking ahead to a two-Test series against New Zealand starting in Bulawayo on July 30.

Zimbabwe fast bowler Kundai Matigimu has been fined 15 per cent of his match fees for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the ongoing second Test against South Africa at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

The incident took place on Day 1, during the 72nd over of South Africa’s innings when Matigimu fielded a ball in his follow-through and threw it at batter Lhuan-de Pretorius, hitting him on the wrist at close range.

Agencies

Bulawayo: South Africa completed a comprehensive win by an innings and 236 runs after Zimbabwe collapsed after lunch on the third day of the second Test at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.

Fast bowlers Corbin Bosch (four for 38) and Codi Yusuf (two for 38), together with left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy (three for 77) were mainly responsible for bowling out Zimbabwe for 220 in the second innings.

Despite fielding what was effectively a second-string team, South Africa were in control of the match from the start as stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder’s South African record 367 not out led them to a total of 626 for five declared.

“Everything came together,” said Mulder.

“A lot of guys put up their hands. Everybody contributed in their own way and that is promising for South African cricket.”

Zimbabwe provided resistance in losing only two wickets before lunch on Tuesday after resuming on 51 for one.

Nick Welch made 55 and captain Craig Ervine scored 49 after the early dismissal of overnight batsman Takudzwanashe Kaitano (40).

But Zimbabwe collapsed after the interval against the pace bowling of Yusuf and Bosch. Six wickets fell for 31 runs before Wellington Masakadza and Tanaka Chivanga added 36 for the last wicket.

“Guys got in but then got out, including myself,” said Ervine. “The South African guys who got in scored big. If we are going to compete at Test level we need those big hundreds.”

It was the 10th successive Test win for world champions South Africa, one more than their previous most successful streak between 2001 and 2003.

South Africa, who won the first Test at the same venue by 328 runs, completed a dominant 2-0 series win despite resting most of the players who won the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s in London last month.

Zimbabwe were without two leading batsmen in Brian Bennett, who was concussed in the first Test, and Ben Curran, who missed the series with a broken hand.

But Mulder and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne were the only players who featured in South Africa’s win against Australia.

The world champions introduced five debutants over the two matches but still outclassed their neighbours.

Zimbabwe and South Africa meet again in Harare on Monday at the start of a T20 triangular series which also includes New Zealand.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” added Ervine, also looking ahead to a two-Test series against New Zealand starting in Bulawayo on July 30.

Zimbabwe fast bowler Kundai Matigimu has been fined 15 per cent of his match fees for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the ongoing second Test against South Africa at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

The incident took place on Day 1, during the 72nd over of South Africa’s innings when Matigimu fielded a ball in his follow-through and threw it at batter Lhuan-de Pretorius, hitting him on the wrist at close range.

Agencies