South Africa has established overwhelming control in their Test match against Zimbabwe, largely thanks to an extraordinary, record-breaking performance from Wiaan Mulder. At the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Mulder crafted a monumental innings of 367 not out before South Africa declared their first innings at a towering 626 for 5.
Mulder resumed his innings on the second day at 264. After a somewhat shaky start, including an early edge for a boundary, he settled into a remarkable rhythm. Punishing any bowling errors with authority, he adeptly pulled short deliveries and drove full ones with ease, quickly piling on runs.
He reached his triple century in just 297 deliveries, becoming the second-fastest player ever to reach the landmark in Tests, trailing only Virender Sehwag. Not long after, he surpassed Hashim Amla`s long-standing record of 311 to register the highest individual score by a South African in Test history. Mulder continued to dominate, striking boundaries freely, particularly off Blessing Muzarabani, and was batting on an astonishing 367 when the declaration came at Lunch.
While Mulder was the undisputed star, the South African innings saw other contributions. Dewald Brevis couldn`t capitalize fully after being dropped, eventually falling for 30. Kyle Verreynne provided solid support in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand, finishing unbeaten on 42 as South Africa added 113 runs before calling the innings closed.
With a formidable total behind them, South Africa`s bowlers took over, dismantling the Zimbabwe lineup. Despite a spirited, attacking eighty-three from Sean Williams (striking seven fours and two sixes), Zimbabwe crumbled for a meager 170 in their first innings. Debutant Prenelan Subrayen was the destroyer, claiming an impressive four-wicket haul, while the record-breaking Mulder even chipped in with two wickets himself – just in case 367 wasn`t quite enough contribution.
Facing a massive deficit, Zimbabwe was asked to follow on. Their second innings began with more caution, but progress remained slow. Takudzwanashe Kaitano showed resilience, surviving until Stumps, while Dion Myers fell to Corbin Bosch after an opening stand lasting over nine overs. At the close of play on the second day, Zimbabwe stood at 51 for 1, still trailing South Africa`s colossal first-innings total by 405 runs.
South Africa is in a dominant position, needing just nine more wickets to seal a comprehensive victory, a win built emphatically on the back of Wiaan Mulder`s historic, record-shattering innings.
Marcus Bellamy