Sean Williams fights lone battle for Zimbabwe as Proteas take charge at Queens Sports Club

The Proteas assumed control of the first Test on the second day in Bulawayo, despite a marvellous century from Zimbabwean veteran Sean Williams at the Queens Sports Club.

Williams’ 137 was the mainstay of Zimbabwe’s 251 after the Proteas declared on their overnight 418/9.

The 38-year-old battled through the initial new-ball onslaught after debutant Codi Yusuf picked up his maiden Test wicket in his first over before following it up with another a couple of overs later. 

Kwena Maphaka may not have tasted success, but the teenager built up a good head of steam. The teenager struck Brian Bennet flush on the helmet, which forced the Zimbabwean opener to retire hurt with concussion on 19. Prince Masvaure was the concussion substitute. 

Maphaka also struck Williams with a searing bouncer, but the veteran brushed it off to continue his fine innings. 

The left-hander was much more fluent against the spin of Keshav Maharaj, often skipping down the pitch to dispatch the Proteas stand-in skipper over midwicket. 

His celebration upon reaching three-figures was particularly special with Williams screaming in delight and punching the air. 

Unfortunately for Williams, and Zimbabwe, he did not have much support apart from skipper Craig Ervine’s 36 with allrounder Wiaan Mulder running through the middle-order with figures of 4/50.

Ervine was Maharaj’s 200th Test victim.

Maharaj had the last laugh, though, with the wily left-arm spinner flummoxing Williams with a well-flight delivery. With Williams stretching forward, and missing the delivery, it proved Proteas wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne to whip off the bails in a flash to bring about the end of a wonderful innings by the hometown hero. 

Yusuf chipped in with a further wicket towards the end before Maharal also picked up his third of the innings as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 251 - a deficit of 167.

The Proteas’ innings once again started poorly with Matthew Breetzke edging Tanaka Chivanga early on, but Tony de Zorzi and Mulder ensured there were no more further alarms as the Proteas built their lead to 216 runs by stumps.

First Test, Day 2, Stumps

South Africa: 418/9 & 49/1 (De Zorzi 22*, Mulder 25*, Chivanga 1/18)

Zimbabwe: 251 (Williams 137, Mulder 4/50, Yusuf 3/42, Maharaj 3/70)

South Africa lead by 216 runs