Bosch, Mulder and Pretorius star as Proteas crush Zimbabwe
South Africa Tour of Zimbabwe
South Africa's Corbin Bosch took his first Test five-for on Tuesday, against Zimbabwe, as the Proteas cruised to victory against their hosts. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
The Proteas made light work of Zimbabwe in the first Test match at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, beating the hosts by a mammoth 328 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
In the absence of the big guns, including the injured captain Temba Bavuma and the rested Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen, the Proteas Test squad proved too strong for Zimbabwe.
All-rounder Corbin Bosch (5/43) led from the front with the ball on Tuesday, claiming four of the nine wickets South Africa needed to wrap up the match. The 30-year-old went on to register his maiden Test five-wicket haul in just his second appearance, making a strong case for himself as a genuine all-rounder.
Debutant Codi Yusuf was also instrumental in the morning session on day four, with the right-arm quick taking three wickets to finish with six in the match. Stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj played the holding role with excellence, allowing the quicks to rotate from the opposite end.
The spinner returned figures of 1/71 in 24 overs, while Dewald Brevis took the final wicket to help South Africa seal the win — despite a fighting batting partnership between Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine (49) and Wellington Masakadza (57).
The victory was set up brilliantly by Proteas number three Wiaan Mulder, who struck his first Test century at the new position.
"New position batting at three, and to see him take the opportunity with both hands, I’m really happy and pleased for him," said Maharaj. "And to see him putting in the bowling display—it just shows why he’s part and parcel of our starting XI."
Debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius' 153 in the first innings was also instrumental, alongside Bosch’s maiden century and Brevis’ maiden half-century. Maharaj highlighted how quickly the trio has settled into international cricket.
"Happy to see the signs from the youngsters coming through the system and just how they fit in so well within our team environment," he said.
"I’ve had my eye on Pretorius since the SA20, and he’s just not looked back from the performances he’s put in — T20, 50-overs and the longer formats. He’s a mature young lad, although he’s young.
"To see how he goes about his business in pressure situations is really encouraging. Another young guy in Brevis — to see how long he hits the ball and the time that he has when he bats is second to none. Not many youngsters come into our system and play with the freedom that he does.
"Then you’ve got a youngster in Kwena Maphaka leading our bowling attack, bowling with express heat — so, there are good signs for us, and hopefully, with more match practice, they become regulars within our team.
"Someone like Bosch — he’s new to the international scene but he’s fitted like a glove. I’m so happy for him, he’s a deep thinker, and to see him conquer both facets in this Test match is special."
Zimbabwe v South Africa scorecard
First Test, day 4
SOUTH AFRICA first innings: 418/7 declared
Lhuan-dre Pretorius 153; Tanaka Chivanga 4/83
ZIMBABWE first innings: 251 all out
Sean Williams 137; Wiaan Mulder 4/50
SOUTH AFRICA secodn innings: 369 all out
Wiaan Mulder 147; Wellington Masakadza 4/98
ZIMBABWE secodn innings: 208 all out
Wellington Masakadza 57; Corbin Bosch 5/43
South Africa won by 328 runs.