ZIMBABWE faced a tough start to the second and final Test match against South Africa as injuries continue to weaken the team, while the Proteas dominated with the bat on second day of the second Test match at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Sunday.
The biggest concern came when experienced all-rounder Sean Williams left the field during the second session with a fever. His return for the rest of the match is uncertain. Williams had scored an impressive 137 in the first Test.
This was not Zimbabwe’s only setback. Opener Prince Masvaure was ruled out before the match due to a respiratory infection. He had stepped in for Brian Bennett, who suffered a concussion while batting in the first Test. Zimbabwe went on to lose that match by 328 runs.
South Africa took full advantage of Zimbabwe’s troubles. After being sent in to bat first, they ended the day in a dominant position, scoring 534 for 4 wickets.
Captain Wiaan Mulder led the way with a brilliant 264 not out from 259 balls. He formed strong partnerships throughout the innings, first adding 184 runs with David Bedingham (82), and later 257 runs with Lhuan-dre Pretorius (78), who had also starred in the first Test. Bedingham was dismissed LBW by Tanaka Chivanga, while Pretorius was caught by Wellington Masakadza off debutant Kundai Matigimu.
Zimbabwe had a bright start with the ball, with Chivanga removing opener Tony de Zorzi for 10 and Masakadza trapping Lesego Senokwane LBW for just 3. At one point, South Africa was 24 for 2, but the Proteas quickly recovered.
