South Africa dominated Zimbabwe in Bulawayo to win the first Test by a massive 328 runs and go 1-0 up in the two-match series. The hosts, chasing an improbable 537 for victory, were bowled out for 208 soon after lunch on the fourth day despite some resistance from Craig Ervine and Wellington Masakadza.
The tone for the final day was set by Corbin Bosch, who struck with the very first ball of the morning. He cramped Nick Welch with a sharp short ball that was fended to short leg, leaving Bosch on a hat-trick after he had removed Takudzwanashe Kaitano with the last ball of the previous day. Although Sean Williams denied him the hat-trick, Zimbabwe soon collapsed, losing 4 for 18 and any realistic chance of pushing the game into the final day.
From 82 for 6, Zimbabwe’s fight came through their captain Craig Ervine and Wellington Masakadza, who added 83 for the seventh wicket. South Africa’s frustration lasted just over an hour before Tony de Zorzi took a superb diving catch at short leg to remove Ervine for 49, giving Bosch his fourth wicket. Bosch completed his maiden Test five-for when he bowled Vincent Masekesa, capping off a memorable match where he also scored his first Test century. He became only the fifth South African to score a hundred and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test.
Wiaan Mulder also impressed with the ball, but it was the efforts of debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius on the first day that set up South Africa’s dominance. Pretorius scored a brilliant 153 to help the visitors pile up 418 for 9 declared, followed by 369 in the second innings.
Zimbabwe showed glimpses of fight, especially through Williams on the fourth morning. He smashed four boundaries in his first eight balls before falling for 26 off 18 balls, top-edging Bosch to the keeper. Codi Yusuf then joined the party, removing Prince Masvaure, Wessly Madhevere, and Tafadzwa Tsiga in quick succession.
Masakadza brought up his maiden Test fifty with a punch through gully, going past his previous best of 17, and looked set for more until Bosch removed Ervine to break their stand. After that, Zimbabwe’s tail wagged briefly as Blessing Muzarabani entertained with 4s and 6s off Dewald Brevis and Keshav Maharaj. However, it was Brevis who had the final say, picking up his first Test wicket when Tanaka Chivanga danced down the pitch, missed, and was stumped.
South Africa’s all-round performance, led by Bosch’s remarkable double and Mulder’s consistency, handed Zimbabwe their heaviest Test defeat in terms of runs. The visitors now hold a commanding lead in the series and will look to seal it in the second Test.
