SportsPosted at: Jul 1 2025 6:02PM


Zimbabwe fold cheaply chasing 537, suffer worst defeat

Bulawayo, July 1 (UNI) South Africa handed Zimbabwe their heaviest-ever Test defeat today, winning by a massive 328-run margin to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Chasing a daunting 537, Zimbabwe collapsed to 208 all out in their second innings despite a brief fightback from skipper Craig Ervine and all-rounder Wellington Masakadza. The pair added 83 for the seventh wicket, but once that partnership was broken, the end came swiftly.
South Africa's Corbin Bosch, who had earlier scored a century, starred with the ball as well, claiming a five-wicket haul, joining the rare club of players to score a hundred and take five wickets in a Test match.
South Africa had been in early trouble on the opening day at 23/3, but debutants Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius staged a remarkable recovery. Pretorius marked his debut with a fluent 153, setting the tone for the visitors. Bosch then combined with the lower order to push the total to 418/9 declared.
Zimbabwe responded with 251 in their first innings, with Sean Williams the lone warrior, scoring a stylish 137 while countering Keshav Maharaj with aggressive footwork and sweeps. However, the lack of support from the rest of the batting lineup meant Zimbabwe conceded a significant lead of 167 runs.
South Africa batted Zimbabwe out of the contest in their second innings, posting 369, powered by Wiaan Mulder’s composed 147. With more than two days left in the match, Zimbabwe’s hopes of survival were slim — and things got worse when pacer Blessing Muzarabani was unable to bowl due to illness.
South Africa's pace attack, led by Bosch and supported by Lungi Ngidi, proved too much for the fragile Zimbabwean batting lineup.
Player of the Match was awarded to Lhuan-dre Pretorius for his brilliant 153 on debut.
With this dominant win, South Africa go 1-0 up in the series. The second and final Test begins later this week.
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Tags: #Zimbabwe fold cheaply chasing 537# suffer worst defeat
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