ZIM Vs SA, 1st Test: Zimbabwe's Williams Hits 137 But South Africa Lead By 216
Sean Williams scored 137 for Zimbabwe, but South Africa led by 216 runs at the end of Day 2 of the first Test.
Sean Williams scored a commanding century for Zimbabwe, but South Africa maintained control after the second day of the first Test at Queens Sports Club on Sunday.
Williams, a left-hander, hit 137 off 163 balls, accounting for more than half of his team's total of 251.
South Africa, leading by 167 runs in the first innings, extended their lead to 216 runs, reaching 49 for one by the close of play.
Zimbabwe faced early difficulties after South Africa declared their first innings at their overnight score of 418 for nine.
Debutant Codi Yusuf claimed two wickets in his first three overs. Zimbabwe suffered a significant setback when opening batsman Brian Bennett retired hurt for 19 after being struck on the helmet by fast bowler Kwena Maphaka. Bennett, who had scored 139 in his previous Test against England in Nottingham last month, was ruled out of the remainder of the match with mild concussion.
He was replaced by Prince Masvaure, who was dismissed for seven batting at number seven.
Williams and captain Craig Ervine (36) formed the only substantial partnership of the innings, adding 81 runs before Ervine was stumped by Kyle Verreynne, giving Keshav Maharaj his 200th Test wicket.
Yusuf, along with fellow debutants Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dewald Brevis, had an impressive start to his Test career, taking three for 42. Pretorius scored 153 and Brevis 51 in South Africa's first innings.
All-rounder Wiaan Mulder took four for 50, and left-arm spinner Maharaj, captaining the team for the first time in the absence of the injured Temba Bavuma, claimed three for 70.
Fast bowler Tanaka Chivanga took a wicket in his first over for the second time in the match, with Matthew Breetzke caught at gully for one.
However, Tony de Zorzi (22 not out) and Mulder (25 not out) prevented further breakthroughs before bad light halted play.
This match is not part of the World Test Championship, and the South African team includes only four players from the squad that won the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's in London earlier this month.
(With inputs from AFP)
About the Author
Ritayan Basu
Location :
Bulawayo
First Published:
June 29, 2025, 22:05 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
17 minutes ago
- Mint
Steve Smith trained in a baseball cage in New York to be fit for Australias Caribbean test
St George's (Grenada), Jun 30 (PTI) Charismatic Australian batter Steve Smith's quick recovery from a "compound dislocation" in the little finger of his right hand, and his sooner-than-expected return to the squad for the second Test against West Indies has a baseball twist to it. Smith has suffered an injury to his right little finger while trying to take a difficult catch off South African captain Temba Bavuma at first slip during the World Test Championship final at Lord's earlier this month. The 36-year-old former Australian skipper immediately left London after his wound was cleaned, stitched and his finger placed in a splint. Instead of waiting for the injury to heal by itself, he decided to hit the "baseball cage" in New York, where he owns an apartment. The injury forced him to miss the opening game of the three-Test series against the Caribbean in Barbados from June 25 to 27, which Australia won by 159 runs. In New York, he began by facing tennis balls and other soft balls in the nets before facing the hard cricket ball. "My mate actually told me about it, which was ideal because it was pretty warm there (in New York)," Smith was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo. "Underneath this bridge there was a batting cage, and he was able to throw me a few balls there, so it was good to be in the shade, it was pretty hot there," he said. A baseball cage is a netted enclosure, quite similar to the cricket nets, used by baseball players to practice hitting. It provides a contained area where batters can safely swing and hit baseballs, without the risk of stray balls leaving the hitting area. Smith sent the footage of his batting to the Australian medical staff in the Caribbean, who were happy with his progress. The report added that Smith had his stitches removed on Sunday and his finger now only has a thinner splint as he gears up for his return for the second Test at St George's from July 3. "For me, it'll just feel like training as normal, I think. I don't really feel any pain or anything. (I'm) just getting used to the splint on and the slight limited movement. "It's not too bad, I've got a lot of movement there now, so that feels good. Hitting the ball felt completely fine," said Smith "Fielding some balls in front of the wicket will probably be the strangest thing for me, I don't think I've ever done that in a Test match. Fielding at either probably mid-on or mid-off or fine leg, is a bit different to standing at the second or first slip,' he added. Smith, meanwhile, backed the new players in the Australian side, including opener Sam Konstas, to come good in the second Test. "These guys are good players, there's been a lot of talk around it but... we just need to give them an opportunity," said Smith. "It doesn't always come around straight away. We've just got to give them an opportunity and let them get used to playing in these conditions and in international cricket. These guys have some really good talent and I think they have bright futures,' he added. PTI DDV AM Having missed the opening Test against the West Indies, Smith is in line to return for the second Test starting on Thursday. DDV AM AM
Hindustan Times
21 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
No end to Pakistan's musical chair; Azhar Mahmood appointed acting Test coach after Aqib's woeful ouster
There is no end to the musical chairs within the support staff of the Pakistan men's cricket team. On Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the appointment of Azhar Mahmood as the acting red-ball coach. The former Pakistan all-rounder takes over the new role following a long stint as the bowling and assistant coach of the men's side. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the appointment of Azhar Mahmood as the acting Test coach. (AFP) Azhar Mahmood will stay in the role of acting Test coach until the conclusion of his current contract. The 50-year-old takes over from Aaqib Javed as the Test coach. Aaqib Javed had taken over as the Pakistan Test coach on an interim basis after Jason Gillespie stepped down following disagreements with Javed and the PCB. "A seasoned cricketing mind, Azhar Mahmood steps into the role with an impressive portfolio of experience. Having served as the assistant head coach of the national side, Azhar has long been a pivotal part of the team's strategic core. His deep knowledge of the game, combined with hands-on international exposure and proven success in the English county circuit, make him exceptionally well-suited for this position," the PCB said in an official release. Also Read: Ex-Pakistan Test head coach Jason Gillespie takes brutal dig at PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi "His red-ball pedigree is underscored by two County Championship titles—an achievement that speaks volumes about his leadership, tactical acumen and unwavering commitment to excellence. The PCB is confident that under Azhar's guidance, the red-ball squad will continue to grow in strength, discipline and performance on the global stage," the statement added. Mahmood's first assignment as Test coach Mahmood's first task as the Test coach will be to ready the side for their upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) assignment against South Africa. The Proteas will tour Pakistan for a two-match Test series later this year. Pakistan has failed to make it to the final of the WTC three times in a row. In the last WTC cycle, Pakistan finished at the bottom of the standings. The hosts defeated England at home, but they lost the series against Bangladesh. Pakistan also faced defeat in the away series against South Africa. Earlier, Gary Kirsten had also stepped down as Pakistan's white-ball coach. "It was a tumultuous few months. I realised quite quickly I wasn't going to have much of an influence. Once I was taken off selection and asked to take a team and not be able to shape the team, it became very difficult as a coach then to have any sort of positive influence on the group," Kirsten told Wisden.
New Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Pataudi medal was an afterthought, ECB should have done better: Farokh Engineer
BIRMINGHAM: A close friend of the late Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Farokh Engineer says the ECB erred in handling the renaming of the India-England Test series trophy and its decision to introduce the winning captain's medal after his former teammate's family name was clearly an afterthought to "appease" supporters like him. The ECB had instituted the Pataudi Trophy for the India-England series in 2007 until renaming it to the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy before the start of the ongoing five-match series. The decision was criticised by the likes of Sunil Gavaskar. Engineer too was left disappointed but at the same time, he felt the achievements of Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson were unquestionable. Tendulkar approached the ECB which led to the home board introducing a winning captain's medal after the Pataudi family. "Well Tiger Pataudi was a great friend of mine. Great colleague of mine. We played a lot of Test cricket. Great heritage, great family. I was most happy when the trophy was named after him back in 2007," the Manchester-based Engineer told PTI. "On one hand I was very disappointed that the Pataudi name was removed, I would love Tiger's name to go on but instead powers that be decided with Anderson and Sachin who are legends of the game." "It (introducing Pataudi medal) was obviously an afterthought, they should have announced it in the beginning that would have more credibility but at least they have done something. Common sense has prevailed and hope the Pataudi name always remains."
