refreshAfter a testing first session on Day 1, South Africa took control and never looked back. From that point on, it was all one-way traffic as they asserted their dominance and have deservedly taken the lead in the series. Zimbabwe now face a quick turnaround, with what was originally a 3-day break between the two Tests effectively becoming four due to the early finish. They will be hoping Brian Bennett recovers in time from concussion. The second and final Test of the series begins on Sunday, 6th July, here at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, with the first ball scheduled for 8 am GMT. Until then, there is plenty of cricket to look forward to. England Women and India Women face off in the second T20I later today. The men will resume their battle with the second Test starting on Wednesday, while Australia and West Indies begin their second Test on Thursday. Cheers!
The captain of South Africa, Keshav Maharaj says he is thrilled to have crossed the line, praising his young team's character and confidence. Shares that the youngsters put themselves out there and delivered, highlighting Dewald Brevis's eagerness, Wiaan Mulder's all-round brilliance, and Corbin Bosch's hard work and thoughtful approach. Maharaj mentions he is impressed by the maturity shown by the young players and says it is great to see them excel on the international stage.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his stunning 153 in the first innings. He says that it hasn't completely sunk in and he will cherish this moment forever and is forever grateful for the opportunity. Adds that he hasn't played much first-class cricket but he looked to play his shots, and the message from the dressing room was clear to back himself. Shares that one of the learnings from his first innings was patience and he tried to capitalise on bad balls but there weren't many bad balls.
The skipper of Zimbabwe, Craig Ervine says the seamers started well but admits that, in hindsight, having an extra seamer would have helped them. Shares that while the bowlers did find breakthroughs, they were unable to sustain pressure due to inconsistency and too many loose deliveries. Mentions that the conditions offered more seam and bounce than anticipated, which led to the decision to play an extra spinner. Ervine expresses disappointment over the lack of support for Sean Williams. Adds that several players, including himself, got starts but failed to make them count. Reckons that the spinners could have shown more consistency. When asked about Brian Bennett's condition, Ervine replies that Brian is still being monitored and adds that a call on his availability for the second Test will be taken over the coming days.
Blessing Muzarabani is presented with a special memento for becoming the fastest Zimbabwean to reach 50 Test wickets, achieving the milestone in just 18 innings.
Time for the presentation ceremony...
While Ervine fell just one short of a hard-fought fifty, Masakadza was rewarded for his resistance as he brought up his maiden Test half century. Corbin Bosch, who did the early damage, returned after the lunch break to break the stand and push South Africa closer to victory. He went on to complete his maiden five-wicket haul, capping off a memorable game that also saw him register his first Test century. Blessing Muzarabani landed a few lusty blows before Tanaka Chivanga was stumped, which brought the game to an end.
Going into Day 4, South Africa had nine wickets to take, while for Zimbabwe, it was about showing fight and taking it one session at a time. Their main aim was to get through the first hour unscathed, but things unravelled right away. Nick Welch fell on the very first ball of the day, and it quickly turned into a procession as Corbin Bosch and Codi Yusuf ran riot with the ball. Reduced to 82 for 6, Craig Ervine and Wellington Masakadza came together to steady the innings and defy the Proteas in the second hour of the morning session.
While Day 2 saw Zimbabwe lose Bennett to a mild concussion, Day 3 brought another setback as Blessing Muzarabani missed a major part of the day due to illness. Apart from a brief phase where Zimbabwe picked up three quick wickets, there was not much to cheer about for the hosts as South Africa piled on the runs, with Wiaan Mulder leading the charge. Others chipped in too, as the Proteas stretched their lead from 216 at the start of the day to 536 before being bowled out. Just when it looked like the hosts would close the day on a positive note with no wickets lost, Takudzwanashe Kaitano fell in the final over.
The Proteas declared overnight and put Zimbabwe in under challenging morning conditions. It turned out to be a one-man show for the hosts, with Sean Williams waging a lone battle with a ton. Apart from the centurion, no other batter offered significant resistance. Right-handed opener Brian Bennett was subbed out due to a mild concussion, which only added to Zimbabwe’s troubles. South Africa kept chipping away at the wickets and eventually bowled Zimbabwe out for 251, securing a 167-run first-innings lead.
Craig Ervine lost the toss but was more than happy to bowl first, and his bowlers made the most of the conditions on offer early on. Tanaka Chivanga exploited the seam and bounce beautifully, reducing South Africa to 23 for 3 in the first hour. The tourists slipped further to 55 for 4 before debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius led a spirited fightback. He first combined with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis for a momentum-shifting stand, and later with Corbin Bosch to take the innings forward. While the opening session belonged to Zimbabwe, centuries from Pretorius and Bosch in the next two sessions turned the tide completely, as South Africa ended Day 1 at 418 for 9.
A dominant win for South Africa! Without 7 players from the side that featured in the WTC final against Australia last month and fielding three debutants, Keshav Maharaj will be pleased with how it all panned out. Zimbabwe began the Test promisingly with a strong opening session, but from there, they never quite looked in the contest and this 328-run defeat marks their heaviest loss in Test cricket by runs.
66.2OUT! STUMPED! Easy as you like! First Test wicket for Dewald Brevis and it's all over for Zimbabwe! Brevis spots Tanaka charging down the track and pushes it down the leg side, on the shorter side. Chivanga fails to get any bat on it as he looks to help it away. The keeper, Kyle Verreynne moves to his left swiftly and gathers it cleanly. Tanaka turns around and tries to plonk his bat inside the crease but Kyle is quick enough in taking the bails off.
66.1Spinning away, short and outside off, Tanaka Chivanga covers the off stump and makes the leave.
65.6Full and turning away, on off, solidly defended by Blessing.
65.5FOUR! Up and over! Keshav Maharaj offers flight again, full and outside off, Blessing winds up and swings through to loft it over mid off. Corbin Bosch gives it a chase and slides but in vain.
65.4Even slower this time, on off, Blessing Muzarabani defends it off the front foot.
65.3Slows it down, full and on middle and leg, Blessing swings again but fails to connect this time and wears it on the front pad.
65.2SIX! Tonked! A bit too full, on middle, Blessing Muzarabani has a hoick across the line and nails the hit over mid-wicket for a biggie.
65.1Tossed up, full and on off, Blessing Muzarabani goes inside out over cover. Corbin Bosch from mid off, turns around and goes after it. Saves the boundary and the batters run two.
The drinks break is timely, as South Africa is on the brink of victory, needing just one wicket to wrap up the match. Given Blessing Muzarabani's method of going after business with the bat at the crease, it's inevitable that Zimbabwe will fall to the visitors in this first game of the series.
64.6Beaten! Full and in the channel on off, this zips through, Tanaka Chivanga pokes and gets beaten on the outside edge.
64.5Kwena Maphaka goes short again but this is well outside off, Tanaka Chivanga follows the ball as he looks to ramp it over the slip cordon but misses.
64.4Ouch, nasty! Kwena Maphaka bangs in a well-directed bumper at the left shoulder. Tanaka Chivanga takes his eyes off the ball and looks to fend it down. Wears it on the glove but it drops down and away from the man at short leg.
64.3On middle and leg, on a short of a length, Tanaka defends it with a straight bat.
64.2Full and attacking the stumps, pushed back to the bowler.
64.1Angling in from around the wicket and it straightens off the deck, on a back of a length, outside off, Tanaka Chivanga tucks his bat inside the line and lets it go.
63.6Turning away, outside off, on a length, left alone by Blessing.
63.5Slower through the air and more air on this one, around off, Blessing Muzarabani looks to go over cover. Gets it off the outer half to backward point.
63.4SIX! All the way! Right in the wheelhouse, on off, tossed up, Blessing Muzarabani gets low to get under the ball and clubs it over mid-wicket for a six.
63.3FOUR! Thumped! Dewald Brevis drags the length back, around off, Blessing hangs back and stays leg side of the ball. Flat bats it past the non-striker for four more.
63.2FOUR! Agricultural! Floated up, low full toss, on off, Blessing Muzarabani clears his front leg and swipes it through backward square leg for a boundary.
63.1Flat and short, on off, Blessing Muzarabani hangs back to stab it down.
62.6Nails the yorker, on off. Tanaka Chivanga digs it to the off side.
62.5Digs it short, on off. Tanaka Chivanga looks to ramp it, but gets beaten on the outside edge.
62.4On a length, on the stumps. Tanaka Chivanga defends it to cover.
62.3A huge appeal of LBW but the umpire stays unmoved! Bowls it on a good length, angling onto the pads. Tanaka Chivanga looks to defend but gets beaten and wears it on the pad. Looks like it's going down the leg side.
62.2Goes fuller and off. Tanaka Chivanga gets on the front foot and works it to cover.
62.1Yorker on the leg stump. Tanaka Chivanga blocks it back.
61.6Tossed up, on off. Tanaka Chivanga looks to slog across the line. Gets an outside edge that lands beyond point for a single.
61.5A drag down, around leg. Tanaka Chivanga goes for the wild slog but misses.
61.4Too full, on middle and leg. Tanaka Chivanga pushes this to mid on for no run.
61.3Fuller on off, Tanaka Chivanga leaves it alone.
61.2A tailing yorker on the leg stump. Tanaka Chivanga gets down his bat in time and pushes it back.
61.1Fuller on off, Tanaka Chivanga blocks it out.
60.6On a good length, on middle and leg. Blessing Muzarabani looks to block, but gets beaten and wears it on the front pad.
60.5Nails the yorker, just on the fourth stump line. Blessing Muzarabani swings and gets beaten on the outside edge.
60.4Short and outside off. Blessing Muzarabani lets it go.
60.3A bit too wide outside off, yorker. Blessing Muzarabani looks to reach out for it, but again fails to connect with it.
60.2Bowls it on short length, wide outside off. Blessing Muzarabani goes for a big swing but misses it.
Change of bat for Blessing Muzarabani.
60.1Bowls it very full, outside off. Blessing Muzarabani looks to dig it out on the off side but fails to get any bat onto it.
59.6Quicker and fuller on off, Tanaka Chivanga blocks this out as well.
59.5Fuller on off, Tanaka Chivanga defends it out.
Tanaka Chivanga is the last man in.
59.4OUT! CAUGHT AT FIRST SLIP! Keshav Maharaj dangles the carrot just outside off, it hits a footmark and shoots up a bit. Wellington Masakadza gets lured into the drive and ends up edging this off the outside edge to first slip. Wiaan Mulder moves a shade to his right and holds onto this.
59.3Full and on off, defended off the front foot by Wellington.
59.2Slower around off, spinning back into the batter. Wellington Masakadza rocks back to flick it away but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
59.1Way too full, outside off. Wellington Masakadza goes for the drive but is late on the shot and misses.
58.6Short, on the off stump. Blessing Muzarabani rocks back and defends this one.
58.5Full and outside off. Blessing Muzarabani once again goes for a wild swing but misses it to the keeper.
58.4EDGED AND FOUR! Bowls it on the good length, angling into the middle and leg. Blessing Muzarabani stays leg side and looks to go over long on but gets an inside edge to the left of the keeper to fine leg for a boundary.
58.3Swing and a miss! Drags the length back, on off. Blessing Muzarabani goes for a wild slog but misses it and gets beaten on the inside edge.
58.2Fuller and outside off. Blessing Muzarabani drives it to backward point.
58.1Fuller, angling onto the pads. Blessing Muzarabani flicks it to mid on and the fielder there dives to his right to stop it.
57.6Pushed through on off, Wellington Masakadza rocks back and defends this one.
57.5Tossed up full and on off, Wellington Masakadza goes for the cover drive but gets it edged to backward point for no run.
57.4Tossed up on leg, Wellington Masakadza drills this to mid on for no run.
57.3Flatter around middle and off, Blessing Muzarabani tucks this through mid-wicket for one.
57.2Floated around off, Blessing Muzarabani pokes at it but gets beaten.
57.1Swing and a miss. Fuller on off, turning away from the batter. Blessing Muzarabani swings at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.
56.6On the full length, outside off. Wellington Masakadza throws his hands at it and drives it to the left of cover. The fielder there gives it a chase and keeps it to two.
56.5Short length, angling into the batter. Wellington Masakadza hops back and blocks it.
56.4On a good length, on off. Wellington Masakadza works it to the gully region.
56.3Goes fuller, on off. Blessing Muzarabani looks to drive but gets an outside edge to backward point for one.
56.2On a length, outside off. Blessing Muzarabani lets it be.
Blessing Muzarabani walks out to bat.
56.1OUT! DRAGGED ON! FIVE WICKETS FOR BOSCH! Corbin Bosch gets his maiden Test match fifer and he is elated! Bowls it on the back of a length, coming into the batter from outside off. Vincent Masekesa gets on his toes and looks to punch it away to the off side but gets a thick inside edge that rattles the off stump. Vincent Masekesa departs on 3 (10), and South Africa are just two wickets away from the win.
55.6Too full, around off, Wellington Masakadza fails to get underneath and thumps this to silly mid off for no run.
55.5FOUR! Driven handsomely past the fielder at short cover for a boundary from Wellington Masakadza. This was tossed up and around off, Wellington Masakadza strides out in front and drives this well and all along the ground for a boundary.
55.4Tossed up around off, Wellington Masakadza smashes this powerfully back to the bowler. Keshav Maharaj manages to get both hands behind this but the ball pops out. Would've been a crowd catch.
55.3Fuller around off, Vincent Masekesa drives this through extra cover for one.
55.2Swing and a miss. A proper number 9 on strike in Vincent Masekesa. Flighted over the eyeline of the batter and he swings at it. The ball spins away and beats him.
55.1Fuller around off, Wellington Masakadza drives this through cover for one.
54.6Goes fuller, angling onto the pads. Vincent Masekesa flicks it to the mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.
54.5On a back of a length, on off, Vincent stays leg side and dabs it to backward point.
54.4Short and outside off. Vincent Masekesa gets on top of the bounce and steers it to backward point.
54.3Slanting in, on a nagging length, on off, Vincent Masekesa covers the line and blocks.
54.2On a length, angling onto the stumps. Vincent Masekesa looks to clip it but misses it and wears on the pads. A huge appeal of LBW, but the umpire stays unmoved.
54.1Bowls it on short length, outside off. Vincent Masekesa leaves it alone.
53.6Excellent by Keshav Maharaj as he beats the batter on the outside edge. Quicker and flatter around off, Wellington Masakadza prods in front to defend this but gets beaten on the outside edge.
53.5Tossed up on off, Wellington Masakadza defends this out as well.
53.4Floated on off, Wellington Masakadza pushes this back to the bowler's left.
53.3Full and on off, Wellington Masakadza lunges to defend. Gets beaten to the turn on the inside but the ball appears to be going down the leg.
53.2Solidly defended off the front foot.
53.1Fuller around off, Wellington Masakadza defends this one.
52.6Bowls it on a short length, outside off from over the wicket. Vincent Masekesa leaves it alone.
Vincent Masekesa is in next.
52.5OUT! CAUGHT! It's a stunning catch from Tony de Zorzi, and Craig Ervine falls one run short of his half century! Corbin Bosch bowls it on a good length, angling onto the pads. Craig Ervine sets up to flick it away but the ball hits the upper half of the bat and it goes to the left of Tony de Zorzi at short leg. Tony sticks out his left hand to take an absolute blinder. Craig Ervine departs on 49 (77).
52.4On a nagging length, angling across. Craig Ervine lunges forward to defend but gets an outside edge to gully, and the fielder there dives to his right to stop it.
52.3Short length, on the sticks. Craig Ervine ducks underneath it.
52.2On a good length, outside off. Craig Ervine hops back and punches it past cover for a couple of runs.
52.1On a length, on the stumps. Stays a bit low and Craig Ervine gets behind the line and blocks it.
51.6Fuller on the pads, WM tucks this to short leg.
51.5Tossed up wide of off, Wellington Masakadza lets it sail back to the keeper.
51.4Fuller around off, Wellington Masakadza defends this.
51.3Pushed through on off, Wellington Masakadza defends this out.
51.2Goes the other way around now. Full and on off, a single to deep point off a reverse sweep.
51.1FOUR! Swept well for a boundary. Tossed up on the pads, Craig Ervine sweeps this uppish and wide of deep mid-wicket to his left for four.
50.6FOUR! MAIDEN TEST FIFTY for Wellington Masakadza! Corbin Bosch bowls it on a good length, angling away from the batter. Wellington Masakadza steers it along the ground to the right of backward point for a boundary to bring up his half-century.
50.5Short length, on the stumps. Wellington Masakadza ducks underneath it.
50.4On a length, on middle. Craig Ervine tucks it to square leg for one.
50.3In the air and safe! Bowls it on full and on the pads. Wellington Masakadza clips it uppishly but in the vacant deep square leg region for one.
50.2On a length, on pads. Wellington Masakadza defends it right under his eyes.
50.1On a hard length, on off, Wellington Masakadza steers it wide of backward point for a couple of runs.
Corbin Bosch will operate from the other end. 7-2-24-3 so far for Bosch.
49.6Full and on off, another confident block off the front foot.
49.5Fuller on off, Craig Ervine defends it.
49.4Tossed up, wide of off, Craig Ervine jams this down.
49.3Fuller around off, Craig Ervine looks to block it but gets beaten.
49.2Tossed up on the pads, Craig Ervine lunges to block but the ball kicks up a bit and turns sharply to catch the inside edge. Luckily for Ervine, it falls in the vacant backward short leg region and evades Tony de Zorzi to his left.
49.1Bowls it on a length, on off from over the wicket. Craig Ervine works it to the backward point region for couple of runs.
All in readiness for the second session of the day to get underway. Keshav Maharaj gathers his men in a huddle near the ropes before going out to the centre. They are followed by Craig Ervine and Wellington Masakadza. Maharaj will kickstart proceedings with the ball. Ervine to face. A slip and a short leg in place. Let's play...
... DAY 4, SESSION 2 ...
Craig Ervine and Wellington Masakadza came together to steady the innings and bring much-needed calm after a chaotic start. Masakadza looked the more assured of the two, capitalising as the sun broke through and the conditions eased. South Africa will return after the break, looking to wrap up the game, while Ervine and Masakadza will need to reset and show the same resistance they displayed before Lunch. The afternoon session could well be the final one of the Test. Do join us at 10.40 am GMT for the start of the second session.
Play began under thick cloud cover, and Corbin Bosch and Codi Yusuf made the most of the helpful conditions. Bosch struck with the very first ball of the day and soon followed it up by removing first-innings centurion Sean Williams. Then it was Yusuf who took centre stage, tearing through the middle order with three wickets in as many overs. Zimbabwe were left reeling at 82 for 6 within the first hour.
SESSION SUMMARY - 30.4 overs, 118 runs and 5 wickets. Quite an eventful session. It was a tale of two halves as in the first hour, Zimbabwe were in complete disarray, losing 5 wickets for just 50 runs but the hour that followed told a different story, as they added 68 runs without losing a wicket through Craig Ervine and Wellington Masakadza.
48.6Flighted around off, Wellington Masakadza defends it out. That will be LUNCH on Day 4!
48.5Short of a length around off, Wellington Masakadza thumps this back to the bowler for no run.
48.4Too full on off, Wellington Masakadza defends it.
48.3Googly around off, Craig Ervine guides this to deep third for a single.
48.2Haltracker around leg, Wellington Masakadza swipes it straight onto the shoes of Tony de Zorzi at short leg. The ball deflects to deep square for one.
48.1Full and on off, Craig Ervine blocks away through cover for one.
47.6Pushed through on off, Wellington Masakadza defends this.
47.5Full toss around off, Wellington Masakadza gets lured into a wild heave and ends up lofting this towards long off for a couple.
47.4Tossed up on off, Wellington Masakadza blocks this out.
47.3Floated flat around off, Wellington Masakadza looks to block out off the back foot but gets beaten.
47.2Tossed up on off, WM blocks it.
47.1Full and on off, Wellington Masakadza pushes this to cover.
46.6Straight one, on off, Craig Ervine edges this onto the pads for no run.
46.5Flighted wide of off, Craig Ervine defends this too.
46.4Fuller and flatter around off, Craig Ervine defends this out as well.
46.3Quicker and fuller on off, Craig Ervine edges this off the inside to short leg.
46.2FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Craig Ervine hops up on his toes and punches this past point for four.
46.1Fuller on middle and off. Craig Ervine defends.
45.6Pushed through on off, Wellington Masakadza blocks this out.
45.5Length dragged back a bit, Wellington Masakadza prods in front and blocks.
45.4Slider from round the wicket, Wellington Masakadza does well to defend it.
45.3Slower through the air, on off, defended.
45.2Tossed up around off, Craig Ervine reverse sweeps it to deep point for one.
45.1Pushed through on off, Craig defends it.
44.6Back of a length, going across the batter. Wellington Masakadza leaves it all alone.
44.5On a length, angling into the batter, Craig Ervine flicks this to deep square for one.
44.4A well-directed short-pitched delivery around the rib cage of Wellington Masakadza. The batter gets into an awkward position and manages to get it away through square leg for one.
44.3Good length on leg, Wellington Masakadza defends this.
44.2Short-pitched, on off, Wellington Masakadza blocks this out to cover-point.
44.1On a length, angling away from the batter. Wellington Masakadza looked to bail out of the block initially but ends up blocking it off the bottom of his bat.
43.6Pushed through on off, Craig Ervine gets right on top of it and jams this out.
43.5Blocked off the front foot this time.
43.4Fuller on off, Craig Ervine defends this out.
43.3A bit closer to off, Craig Ervine steps across and looks for the ramp but doesn't connect well.
43.2Touch fuller, on off, Craig Ervine gets on top of it and blocks this as well.
43.1Tossed up on off, Craig Ervine blocks it out.
42.6Back of a length, angling in sharply onto the batter. Wellington Masakadza looks to get it away somehow and ends up getting beaten all ends up. Luckily for Wellington Masakadza, the ball bounced over the stumps.
42.5Short and wide outside off, Wellington Masakadza leaves it.
42.4Full and on the pads, Craig Ervine glances this to deep square for a single.
42.3Back of a length on the pads, Wellington Masakadza turns it down to fine leg for a single.
42.2Short-pitched around off, Wellington Masakadza swings at it but misses out.
42.1Good length on the pads, Craig Ervine milks this on the leg side for one.
41.6On off, defended off the back foot this time.
41.5Quicker and fuller on middle and leg, Wellington Masakadza blocks it out.
41.4Pushed through on off, Craig gets it edged off the outside through short third for one.
41.3FOUR! Fuller, wide outside off, Craig Ervine picks it up and goes for the reverse sweep. Connects well and the ball races to the third man fence for four runs.
41.2Tossed up on middle and leg, Craig Ervine tucks this to mid-wicket.
41.1Tossed up around off, Craig Ervine looks to defend this off his front foot but misses and wears it on his pads. Loud appeal for LBW but the umpire turns it down.
40.6Yorker on off, Wellington Masakadza blocks it out.
40.5FOUR! Hits it behind square on off for four more. Back of a length on off, Wellington Masakadza opens the face of his bat and cuts this behind square for four.
40.4Good length on middle and leg, Wellington Masakadza defends this out.
40.3FOUR! Wellington Masakadza is enjoying his time in the middle with the bat in his hand. Pitched up on off, Wellington Masakadza strides to the pitch of it and drives this all along the carpet, through point for four.
40.2Back of a length around off, Craig Ervine hops up on his toes and punches this past cover for one. A bit of mix-up between the batters but throw at the wrong end, non-striker's end, saves Wellington Masakadza, who was halfway down the track.
40.1Brilliantly bowled, in the corridor of uncertainty around off, Craig Ervine presses forward to punch this but gets beaten.
39.6Fuller in length, outside off, Masakadza drives a bit away from his body towards mid off.
39.5Nipping back in, on a back of a length, on top of off, Wellington Masakadza hops and keeps it out.
39.4FOUR! Easily done! Wiaan Mulder errs in both line and length. Serves it short and wide on off, there to be put away. Masakadza frees his arms and cuts it through cover-point for a boundary.
39.3On middle and leg, on a nagging length, knocked to mid on.
39.2Just outside the off stump, on a length. Wellington Masakadza is unable to free his arms in the way he would have liked. Mistimes the shot to mid off.
39.1Slanting in, on the off stump, on a good length, Masakadza covers the line and plays it back to the bowler.
38.6On a hard length, on top of off, Craig Ervine gets on top of the bounce to stab it down the deck.
38.5Around off, on a good length, Craig Ervine shoulders arms.
38.4Tighter line, around the off stump, on a nagging length, Masakadza taps it wide of cover for one.
38.3FOUR! Thumped! Wide on off, on a length, Masakadza frees his arms and crunches it through covers for a boundary.
38.2On a hard length, on middle, Wellington Masakadza hurriedly tucks it to square leg.
38.1Kwena Maphaka comes into the attack and angles it in from over the wicket, on a good length, on off, left alone by Masakadza.
37.6Drags the length back and the line is around the off stump, Masakadza pushes it wide of point and takes a single.
37.5FOUR! Nicely played! Mulder sprays it on the pads, on a length, Masakadza brings his wrists into play and whips it up and over mid-wicket for a boundary.
37.4Leading edge but safe! Fuller in length, on middle, Masakadza looks to work it away with the angle on the leg side. Closes the bat face early and gets a leading edge that drops in front of point.
37.3On middle and leg, on a length, Wellington Masakadza gets his bat out in front to defend.
37.2This straightens off the deck, on a good length, on off from around the wicket, WM defends inside the line and gets beaten.
37.1Just around the off stump, on a hard length, Masakadza rides the bounce and keeps it out on the off side.
36.6Delivers it on a short of a length, on off, jabbed to mid-wicket by Ervine.
36.5A half-volley, wide on off, Wellington Masakadza frees his arms and drives it to the left of point. Matthew Breetzke goes after it and prevents the boundary. Masakadza collects three runs.
36.4Short and wide on off, Masakadza goes for the cut but ends up chopping it down on the off side.
36.3Pitched up, on off, Ervine does not go through the shot completely and just eases it to the right of cover. The fielder gives it a chase and cuts it off. Three runs taken.
36.2This kicks up a bit, on a hard length, on middle, Masakadza fends it down off the gloves behind square on the leg side for one.
36.1On a back of a length, on middle, Ervine hops and nudges it to the right of deep fine leg for a single.
35.6Sprayed on the pads, on a length, Masakadza flicks it to the left of mid-wicket and collects a couple of runs.
35.5Angled in, on a back of a length, on off, Wellington Masakadza pats it to mid on.
35.4Bowled from wide of the crease on the around-the-wicket angle, outside off, on a good length, Wellington lets it be.
35.3On off, Wellington Masakadza pushes it to mid off.
35.2On a hard length, on off, Wellington Masakadza presents an angled bat and stabs it down.
35.1CHANCE? Did it go off the bat? Wiaan Mulder's reaction suggests so. Angling in and then nibbling away, on a good length, Wellington is squared up in defence. The ball nips away to brush the outside edge and it goes low to the left of the keeper. Kyle Verreynne dives to his left but fails to cling on.
Wiaan Mulder comes into the attack, replacing Keshav Maharaj.
34.6On a length, angling across the batter. Craig Ervine lets it be.
34.5Full and off. Craig Ervine gets on the front foot and blocks it to cover.
34.4FOUR! Nicely clipped! Codi Yusuf overpitches it on the middle and off. Craig Ervine flicks it nicely along the ground to the left of the mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.
34.3On a good length, on off. Craig Ervine prods forward and defends it to the off side.
34.2On a hard length, on middle, Ervine tucks it to mid-wicket.
34.1Angling away, on a hard length, Ervine steers it off the back foot to backward point.
33.6Slows it down and gets the ball to drop on the batter, Wellington Masakadza reaches out in front to smother the spin but fails to do so. Gets hit on the front pad but outside the line of the off stump.
33.5Pushed through, on off, Wellington Masakadza lunges to block it out.
33.4FOUR! Keshav Maharaj gives a bit more air and bowls it fuller, on off. Wellington Masakadza comes forward and gets to the pitch of the ball to drive it along the ground through the cover region for a boundary.
33.3Full and on off, Wellington Masakadza defends it well.
33.2Fuller and slower, on off. Wellington Masakadza leans forward and drives it through the cover region. Kwena Maphaka gives it a chase and keeps it to a couple of runs.
33.1Floated up, on off, Ervine knocks it down to long on for a single.
32.6On the off stump, on a good length, Wellington Masakadza pats it back to the bowler with a straight bat.
32.5EDGED AND FOUR! Bowls it on a fuller length, on off. Wellington Masakadza looks to defend it but gets an outside edge to the slip cordon. The ball does not carry to first slip and goes between his legs to race away for a boundary.
32.4Hits the length hard, on the middle and leg. Wellington Masakadza looks to clip it on the leg side but gets beaten and wears it high on the pad. An appeal of LBW but the umpire stays unmoved.
32.3On the back of a length, angling across the batter. Wellington Masakadza lets it go.
DRINKS BREAK! It has been all South Africa this morning with five wickets falling in under an hour on Day 4. Corbin Bosch set the tone early, and Codi Yusuf has followed up with a fiery spell to dismantle Zimbabwe’s middle order. It has turned into a procession for the hosts, who now find themselves staring at a heavy defeat. Wellington Masakadza joins the skipper, Craig Ervine, out in the middle.
32.2OUT! CAUGHT! Codi Yusuf is on a roll! Three wickets in as many overs for Yusuf today. A nothing shot from Tafadzwa Tsiga and he pays the ultimate price. Delivers it on a back of a length, well outside off, Tsiga hangs on the back foot and has a fiddle at the delivery well away from his body. Gets an outside edge that travels quickly to fourth slip and Corbin Bosch takes a sharp catch to his right.
32.1On off, on a good length, Craig Ervine jabs a bit with hard hands. Gets an outside edge that goes down on the ground. The gully fielder makes a half-stop with a dive to his right. A single is taken.
31.6Loopy delivery, on off, Craig Ervine takes it on the full and sweeps it on the bounce to the man at deep square leg. They cross.
31.5Switches to over the wicket and pushes it through, on off, Craig Ervine goes deep in the crease to block.
31.4FOUR! This time from reverse sweep! Bowls it loopy and slower, on middle. Craig Ervine gets down on one knee and gets in the position for the reverse sweep and plays it along the ground to the right of the backward point region for a boundary.
31.3Looped up, just outside the off stump, Craig keeps it out off the front foot.
31.2FOUR! Keshav Maharaj serves it slower and fuller, on off. Craig Ervine puts the dancing shoes on and gets to the pitch of the ball to loft it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
31.1Tossed up, on middle, Craig Ervine lunges to defend.
30.6On short length, outside off. Tafadzwa Tsiga leaves it alone.
30.5Another beauty from Codi Yusuf! Bowls it on a good length, on off. The ball nips back sharply and goes over the off stump. Tafadzwa Tsiga shoulders arms at it.
30.4On the nagging length, angling into the batter from middle. Tafadzwa Tsiga looks to clip but misses it and wears it on the thigh pad.
Tafadzwa Tsiga is in at number 7. Four slips and a gully in place for the new batter.
30.3OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Another one bites the dust. Wickets off successive overs for the debutant! Nice channel from Codi, just outside the off stump, on a good length. Wessly follows the line of the ball away from his body. Presents a straight bat to block but the ball angles in and then straightens to graze the outside edge. The keeper, Kyle Verreynne, does the rest behind the wicket.
30.2On the back of a length, on off. Wessly Madhevere shoulders arms at it.
30.1On the hard length, angling into the batter. Wessly Madhevere gets beaten on the inside edge with a bit of extra bounce and wears it on the thigh pad.
29.6Fuller and on middle. Craig Ervine clips it to backward square leg.
29.5FOUR! Good shot! Tossed up, on off, on a length, Craig Ervine reaches out in front and rolls his wrists over the ball to sweep it all along the ground through backward square leg for a boundary.
29.4Fuller and off. Craig Ervine prods forward and drives it to cover.
29.3Very full, on off, squeezed out to mid off by Craig.
29.2Sharp turn! Tossed up and outside off. Craig Ervine gets on the front foot to defend, but the ball turns sharply and goes past his leg stump.
29.1Full and on off, whipped to mid-wicket by Ervine.
28.6Back of a length, on off. Wessly Madhevere plays it with the soft hands and gets an outside edge which falls short to the man at gully.
28.5BEATEN! Hits the length hard, and it just nips away from the fourth stump line. Wessly Madhevere looks to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge.
28.4A bit too wide on off, on a nagging length, another easy leave for Wessly.
28.3Full ball, sprayed down leg. A diving take by Kyle Verreynne to his left.
28.2On a good length, outside off, Wessly Madhevere lets it be.
Wessly Madhevere walks out to bat.
28.1OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Codi Yusuf strikes on the first ball of his spell on Day 4! Bowls it on a good length and angling across the batter. Prince Masvaure is better off leaving the ball alone but lunges forward to defend. The ball kicks up a bit and catches the outside edge. Wiaan Mulder at second slip stays low to take a good catch. Prince Masvaure departs on 12 (76).
27.6Fuller and on off. Craig Ervine prods forward and blocks it off the inner half of the bat back to the bowler.
27.5On off, on a length, blocked out by Ervine off the front foot.
27.4Nicely tossed up and fuller, turning into the batter from over the wicket. Craig Ervine looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses it on the inside edge onto the pads.
27.3Looped up, full and on middle, Masvaure drives it in front of the man at a deepish mid on for one.
27.2Slower and fuller, on off from around the wicket. Prince Masvaure lunges forward and defends it back to the bowler.
27.1Tossed up, full and on off, Craig Ervine wrists it to deep mid-wicket and crosses over.
26.6Bowls it on a hard length, angling into the batter from around the wicket. Prince Masvaure hops back and blocks it to the off side.
26.5On a length, on middle and leg. Craig Ervine tucks it to mid-wicket for one.
26.4On the short length, on the off stump. This stays a bit low, and Craig Ervine works it off the toe end of the bat to the mid on region.
26.3On a good length, on middle and off. Craig Ervine gets behind the line and taps it back to the bowler.
26.3Bends his back and digs it short, outside leg. Craig Ervine ducks underneath it. WIDED for height.
26.2Hits the length hard, on off. Craig Ervine rides the bounce and blocks it back to the bowler.
26.1Bowls it on the back of a length, angling across the batter. Craig Ervine guides it to gully.
25.6A maiden by Keshav Maharaj! Flatter and shorter, on middle, Prince stays back to keep it out.
25.5Turning into the pads, on a length, Prince Masvaure defends inside the line and gets beaten. Gets hit on the front pad.
25.4Slower through the air, fuller as well, on middle, Prince clips it to mid-wicket.
25.3Beaten! Sliding across the left-hander, not all that short, Masvaure goes back and looks to push it away on the off side but misses.
25.2Attacking the front pad, on a length, Masvaure blocks it with his bat close to the front pad.
25.1Maharaj comes from around the wicket to the left-hander. Tosses it up, full and on off, Prince Masvaure defends well.
24.6Corbin Bosch goes fuller this time and pushes it across, Craig Ervine is drawn forward to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge.
24.5Banged in short, over middle, Craig Ervine ducks under it.
24.4Delivers it on a hard length, on off, Ervine pats it down on the off side.
24.3On off, on a back of a length, Craig stabs it down on the off side.
Craig Ervine is in next.
24.2OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! End of Sean Williams' struggles against Corbin Bosch! A massive blow to Zimbabwe as the centurion from the first innings falls. On middle and leg, on a nagging length, Sean Williams stays rooted to the crease and tries to bring his wrists into play. Shapes up to turn it away on the leg side with a closed bat face. Closes the bat face early and gets a leading edge that goes straight up behind the wicket. The keeper, Kyle Verreynne, calls for it and takes a couple of steps backwards to take a safe catch.
24.1Beaten! Corbin continues to get the ball to go across the left-hander from over the wicket, on a good length, just around the off stump, Sean Williams follows the ball before deciding to withdraw the bat.
23.6More air on this one and wide as well, Masvaure looks to drive this full ball through the off side but miscues it back to the bowler.
23.5Floats it up, full and on off, Masvaure defends it off the front foot.
23.4Fuller and slower, on off, Williams lunges and flicks it to the left of mid on for a single.
23.3This turns back in sharply, on a nagging length, around leg, played with the turn to mid-wicket.
23.2Flatter and shorter, on off, Sean Williams pats it down the deck.
23.1FOUR! Fine shot! 5th boundary in 13 balls for Sean. Tossed up by Keshav, on off, Williams reaches out in front and takes it on the full. Plays the reverse sweep all along the ground to the right of backward point for a boundary.
22.6Slanting across, over the top of the off stump, Masvaure makes a watchful leave.
22.5Dug in short by Corbin, over middle and leg, Prince ducks under it.
22.4On a nagging length, on middle, tucked down to the right of short leg by Prince Masvaure.
22.3Pitched up by Corbin, on off. Again, no foot movement from Sean Williams, knocks it down the ground to the left of mid off. Kwena Maphaka goes after it and slides to prevent the ball from reaching the fence. Three runs taken.
22.2On a back of a length, on middle, Sean hops and dabs it down on the off side.
22.1Deviating away off the seam from a good length, Sean Williams has a slight poke at the delivery before opting to withdraw his bat. The ball whistles past the outside edge.
21.6Darted in, on a length, on off, kept out off the front foot.
21.5Turning in, on a length, on off, Prince Masvaure blocks it out.
21.4FOUR! Nicely done! Very full, on middle, Prince Masvaure gets down and sweeps it fine to the left of short fine leg. Corbin Bosch gives it a chase but in vain.
21.3Outside off, Prince Masvaure defends this full ball solidly.
21.2Slows it down and hangs it up, full and wide on off, Prince Masvaure presses forward for the drive. Miscues it off the inner half to mid on.
21.1Floated up, on off, driven back to Maharaj by Prince.
20.6Beaten all ends up! On a hard length, on off, Sean Williams does not get behind the line of the ball. Hangs on the back foot to cover the line of the ball and is beaten on the outside edge.
20.5FOUR! Edgy! This squares Sean up, on a good length, on middle, Williams opts to stay leg side of the ball and tries to turn it away on the leg side. The ball nips away to catch the leading edge and it goes to the left of gully for a boundary.
20.4FOUR! Hit with disdain! Corbin Bosch goes into the wicket but fails to get it high enough and the line is around off. Sean Williams stands tall and drags the pull in front of square for a boundary.
20.3Banged in on a shortish length, on off, Prince Masvaure rides the bounce and drops it beside the pitch on the off side for one.
20.2On a back of a length, on top of off, Williams pats it off the back foot wide of cover for a single.
20.1Play and a miss! On a length, angled across, Sean Williams is rooted to the crease and fiddles at the delivery away from his body. Gets beaten on the outside edge.
19.6Full and around off, Prince Masvaure plays it back to the bowler.
19.5Nearly dragged it back onto the stumps! Keshav Maharaj slows it down and drags the length back slightly, outside off, Prince lunges to smother the spin but the ball drops on him and spins to catch the inside edge and rolls to leg slip.
19.4Beaten! This does not turn and keeps straight, full and outside off, Prince Masvaure is drawn forward in the defence. The ball sneaks past the outside edge.
19.3Loopy delivery, this drops on the batter, around off, Prince Masvaure jams it out.
19.2Pushed through, short and outside off, Sean goes back and pushes it wide of cover for a single.
19.1Keshav tries to toss it up but ends up serving a low full toss, on off, Prince Masvaure mistimes the drive to the right of mid off where Codi Yusuf cuts it off with a dive. They cross.
Who will bowl from the other end? It will be Keshav Maharaj (5-2-6-0).
18.6FOUR! Edged away! Another one from Corbin Bosch that is pushed across the left-hander from over the wicket, on a nagging length, Sean Williams does not move his feet at all and just goes at it with his hands. Gets an outside edge that goes between third slip and gully. The gully fielder flies to his right but the ball evades him and goes behind for a boundary.
18.5FOUR! Sean Williams is up and running! Angled across, on a length, Sean lets his hands flow into the shot and caresses it through covers for a boundary.
18.4Going across, on a length, Sean Williams defends a bit away from the body but manages to negotiate the hat-trick ball safely.
Sean Williams walks out to bat.
18.3OUT! TAKEN! WOW! What a start for South Africa! Corbin Bosch strikes on the very first ball of the day. Nick Welch goes for a golden duck. Bosch steams in from over the wicket, bends his back and digs in a well-directed bumper. Gets it high enough to trouble the batter, around the left shoulder. Nick rises to get on top of the bounce but the ball keeps climbing onto him. Welch tries to take the bottom hand of the bat but the ball catches the gloves and lobs tamely for Tony de Zorzi to take a dolly at short leg. Corbin Bosch is on a hat-trick.
We are all set for the action to start. It is a cloudy morning with the sun tucked behind the clouds. South Africa are in a huddle near the ropes before taking their places on the field. Prince Masvaure is joined by Nick Welch. Corbin Bosch is at the top of his mark, ready to complete his over. Welch to face. Three slips, a gully and a short leg in place. Off we go...
PITCH REPORT - Ed Rainsford is by the pitch and it’s another cold morning in Bulawayo. Informs that there’s thick cloud cover overhead, but he says there are still runs to be had on this surface and at a decent rate if batters apply themselves. Shaun Pollock joins in and notes that the surface flattened out a bit for the seamers on Day 3. Pollock opines that the spinners will be interested, especially from the Airport End, where there are some footholes to exploit. Adds that a few more bare patches have started to appear, but nothing too alarming just yet. Shaun feels that South Africa will have to work hard for the remaining nine wickets and expects them to set attacking fields.
Time to hear from the head coach of Zimbabwe, Justin Sammons. Reflects on their experience in Bulawayo, noting that although they have played four Tests here before, this particular wicket has behaved differently. He attributes that to the winter conditions, which have led to more moisture being retained in the surface compared to the summer. He emphasises that the team needs several players to step up and grab the opportunity in the fourth innings. Sammons adds that winter in Zimbabwe is a little trickier than summer, but they now have a clearer picture of their personnel going into this Test season. He underlines the importance of the first hour, which has proven to be crucial throughout the match. Reckons that it is not about surviving but about playing with a positive mindset.
The batting coach of South Africa, Ashwell Prince, is in for a chat. He says that they are pretty happy with how the game has gone so far and the way the batters have batted so far, but a couple of them will probably agree that they left a few runs out there. Adds that the contribution, especially from the middle order whenever the team is under pressure, has been good to see. Mentions that even in the last WTC cycle, their middle order came to the party whenever they were in trouble. Mentions that they have watched Brevis and Pretorius in shorter formats like SA20, and when you get a closer look in the nets, they are really talented guys, but sometimes they make mistakes in the middle, but that happens, and they will learn and get better as they play more. Observe that it's still a good pitch to bat on and seamers might have to be straight with their lines and he expects Keshav Maharaj to play a big role in the second innings.
As we look ahead to Day 4, South Africa's bowlers will be looking to exploit any early morning juice in the pitch and make early inroads in Zimbabwe's batting lineup. But on the flip side, for Zimbabwe, a lot will rely on their experienced pair of Sean Williams and Craig Ervine as they aim to bat for as long as possible. Settle in, as the first ball of Day 4 is just around the corner.
Wiaan Mulder's second Test ton was the highlight for the Proteas on Day 3. He was well supported by David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne. Lower down the order, Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj stitched a 92-run partnership to further extend their lead. For Zimbabwe, their bowlers toiled hard to pick up wickets, with Wellington Masakadza being the pick of the bowlers with a 4-fer and Tanaka Chivanga and Vincent Masekesa picking up a couple of wickets apiece. After the visitors were bowled out with a lead of 536 runs, Zimbabwe’s openers showed good resolve until Corbin Bosch removed Takudzwanashe Kaitano in the final over of the day.
Alright, we are here for Day 4 of this opening Test with South Africa firmly in control and eyeing a finish today. Zimbabwe have it all to do if they are to stretch the game into a fifth day. On that note, hello and a warm welcome from Bulawayo as we gear up for what promises to be another fascinating day of Test cricket!
... DAY 4, SESSION 1 ...
As South Africa bowled late in the day, the steep bounce that was evident in the first innings seemed to have disappeared. It could be the effect of the heavy roller, but even during South Africa's own batting earlier in the day, the surface looked much flatter, with very little movement or bounce on offer for the bowlers. Keshav Maharaj and his men will know that taking ten wickets this time will be a tougher task than it was in the first innings. As for Zimbabwe, the first hour on Day 4 will be crucial. There is nothing to suggest that batting is overly difficult. If the batters apply themselves and once the ball loses its hardness, there are certainly runs to be had. The first ball on Day 4 - Tuesday, 1 July, will be bowled at 8 am GMT but you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, goodbye and take care!
In a tricky final passage of play, the Zimbabwean openers applied themselves well and showed good discipline. South Africa were guilty of bowling a bit too short early on and not making the batters play often enough. Keshav Maharaj managed to create a chance, but Tony de Zorzi could not hold on to a sharp catch at short leg to dismiss Prince Masvaure on 5. That said, the visitors will be pleased to have broken through just before the close and ended the day on a positive note.
A burst of three quick wickets gave Zimbabwe a much-needed lift, reducing South Africa to 155 for 5. However, the momentum was short-lived as Mulder carried on to register his second Test century. He combined with Kyle Verreynne in a 104-run partnership that further extended the visitors’ lead. Both were dismissed on either side of the drinks break in the second session, but Keshav Maharaj and Corbin Bosch added to Zimbabwe’s frustration with a gritty stand of their own. While many expected South Africa to declare, they kept batting and were eventually bowled out with a lead of 536 runs.
South Africa began the day with a lead of 216 runs but suffered an early setback with the dismissal of Tony de Zorzi. However, Wiaan Mulder and David Bedingham dug in and built a solid partnership to steady the innings. Zimbabwe missed the presence of Blessing Muzarabani, who was off the field for the first 90 minutes due to illness. As a result, he was only eligible to bowl late in the second session after completing the mandatory time back on the field, and his absence was clearly felt in the bowling attack.
SESSION SUMMARY - 27.1 overs, 65 runs and 4 wickets. A bitter end to the day for Zimbabwe. Just when it seemed the openers would survive the final session, South Africa managed to sneak in one last over and landed a crucial blow right at stumps. It capped off another dominant day for the Proteas, who posted a target of 537 runs and have all but put the game beyond the realm of possibility for the hosts.
18.2OUT! CAUGHT! Oh, no, no no! Zimbabwe will be distressed! Lhuan-dre Pretorius takes the catch at third slip from an extended over in the day. On a length, outside off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano looks to push it but gets a thick edge. The ball carries towards third slip, where Lhuan-dre Pretorius takes a good low catch. Corbin Bosch provides a breakthrough, and it will be STUMPS on Day 3!
18.1Short, on off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano stands tall and fends it back to the bowler.
We will have one more over. It will be Corbin Bosch to bowl the last over of the day.
17.6Short, outside off, with some turn. Prince Masvaure leaves it alone.
17.5Short, turning in, Prince Masvaure looks to block it but wears it on his thigh pad.
17.4Flatter, on leg, Prince Masvaure flicks it to the fielder at short third.
17.3Similar delivery, on off, Prince Masvaure lunges and blocks it back for the third time.
17.2Too full, on off, Prince Masvaure leans on and blocks again.
17.1Flighted up, on off, Prince Masvaure leans on and blocks it.
16.6Too full, on off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano pushes it to the fielder at mid off.
16.5Length again, on leg, Takudzwanashe Kaitano flicks it to the fielder at short leg. Tony de Zorzi does well to stay low and make the stop to his left.
16.4On a length, on leg, Takudzwanashe Kaitano flicks it to the fielder at short leg.
16.3Short and down leg, Takudzwanashe Kaitano leaves it alone.
16.2Short and wide, Takudzwanashe Kaitano leaves it alone.
16.1Back of a length, on leg, Takudzwanashe Kaitano tucks it to the fielder at short leg. He does well to stop it. Dot.
15.6Slower through the air, on off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano flicks it to mid on for one.
15.5Flighted up, on off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano eases it back to the bowler.
15.4Another one on off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano blocks it solidly again.
15.3Floated up, on off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano blocks it back.
15.2Full, on off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano leans on and blocks it.
15.1Slower through the air, outside off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano drives it uppishly past the cover fielder, who makes a dive but the ball evades him. The ball goes towards deep cover as the batters collect two runs.
14.6A sharp bouncer, on off, Prince Masvaure ducks under it.
14.5Short and wide, Prince Masvaure leaves it alone.
14.4Length, outside off, Prince Masvaure leaves it alone.
14.3Short, on off, Prince Masvaure ducks under it.
14.2Back of a length, on off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano hangs back and punches it to cover for one.
14.1On a length, on off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano stands tall and blocks it back.
13.6Keeps it full again, Prince Masvaure leans on and blocks it back.
13.5DROPPED! Full, turning in, Prince Masvaure looks to block it but miscues it to the fielder at short leg. He makes a dive to take the catch, but the ball lands just short. The replay later shows that the ball did carry and hit Tony de Zorzi on his right thumb, but he failed to take the catch. So this will indeed go down as a dropped catch. A difficult one, though.
13.4Short, on middle, Prince Masvaure hangs back and blocks it back.
13.3Too full, on off, Prince Masvaure pushes it to cover.
13.2Lands it outside off, Prince Masvaure looks to block it but misses as the ball spins back in sharply to beat the bat on the inside edge. The leg slip fielder does well to stop it.
13.1Fuller, outside off, Prince Masvaure blocks it back.
12.6Length, outside off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano leaves it alone.
12.6NO BALL! My word! That was nasty from Kwena Maphaka! A high full toss, down leg, Takudzwanashe Kaitano somehow manages to duck under it as the ball races away to the fine leg fence. The umpire signals a no ball for height!
12.5Short and wide, Takudzwanashe Kaitano leaves it alone.
12.4Too full, down leg, Takudzwanashe Kaitano looks to flick it but misses.
12.3Down the leg side, Takudzwanashe Kaitano leaves.
12.2Short, outside off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano leaves it alone.
12.1On a length, on leg, Prince Masvaure helps it fine for one.
11.6Flatter, on middle and leg, Takudzwanashe Kaitano looks to flick it but miscues it to the point fielder.
11.5Short, on off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano knocks it down the ground to the left of mid on for a brace.
11.4Sways it on leg, Takudzwanashe Kaitano flicks it to the fielder at backward square leg.
11.3Fuller, on off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano pushes it to the point fielder.
11.2Turn and bounce, outside off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano looks to block it but gets beaten on the outside edge.
11.1Too full, on off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano pushes it to mid off.
10.6On a length, on leg, Prince Masvaure fends it back towards the bowler.
10.5Short, outside off, Prince Masvaure has a fiddle but cannot adjust with the bounce.
10.4Too full, angling down leg, Prince Masvaure looks to flick it but wears it on his pads. A loud appeal, but the finger stays down. Perhaps, missing leg.
10.4FIVE WIDES! Bonus runs! Wayward, down the leg side, Prince Masvaure leaves. The keeper has no chance to stop it as the ball races away.
10.3Similar delivery, outside off, Prince Masvaure looks to slap it but gets a bottom edge as the ball bounces back towards the keeper.
10.2Short and wide, Prince Masvaure shoulders arms.
10.1Back of a length, on off, Prince Masvaure blocks it back.
9.6Short, on off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano punches it through covers for one.
9.5Turn and bounce, on off, Prince Masvaure looks to block it but edges it to short third for one.
9.4Short, on off, Prince Masvaure stands tall and blocks it to the left of the bowler.
9.3Lands it on middle, Prince Masvaure blocks it to the short leg fielder.
9.2Full again, slower through the air, Prince Masvaure flicks it to square leg.
9.1Floated up, on off, Prince Masvaure flicks it to the fielder at short leg.
8.6Down leg, on a good length, Kaitano lets it be.
8.5Play and a miss! Full and pushed across the batter, Takudzwanashe Kaitano presses forward and has a feel for the delivery. Gets beaten on the outside edge.
8.4A loud shout for LBW but turned down! Seemed to have pitched outside leg. Shaping back in, on a nagging length, on leg, Kaitano is late on the flick and wears it above the knee roll on the front pad.
8.3On a hard length, around leg, Kaitano hops and tucks it past short leg to his right. There is a bit of hesitation about the second run but they do cross over eventually. The throw comes in from the deep towards the batting end and Kyle Verreynne is up to the stumps to whip the bails off. The third umpire is called in and the replays show that Kaitano has made it comfortably.
8.2Angled across the right-hander, on a length, left alone by Kaitano.
8.1With a deepish short leg in place, Kwena Maphaka steams in from over the wicket and goes into the wicket. The line is down leg and Takudzwanashe Kaitano hops to tickle it fine but misses.
Kwena Maphaka comes into the attack now.
7.6Just outside the off stump, on a good length, Prince covers the off stump and shoulders arms.
7.5This nips back in sharply and shoots a bit as well, on off, on a hard length, Prince Masvaure hangs back and keeps it out.
7.4Goes wide on the crease and serves it on a length, outside off, Prince lets it be.
7.3FOUR LEG BYES! Sliding onto the pads from around the wicket, on a short of a length, Prince Masvaure misses out on the tickle. The ball brushes the thigh pad and beats the diving Kyle Verreynne to his right for a boundary.
7.2On a back of a length, on middle, Prince flicks it to mid-wicket.
7.1Fractionally wide, on a short of a length, Prince Masvaure cuts it hard but it goes straight to point on the bounce.
6.6On off, on a nagging length, Takudzwanashe Kaitano hangs back and solidly defends.
6.5On a back of a length, around off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano pushes it to point.
6.4Moving away in the air, on a good length, Takudzwanashe Kaitano defends it with soft hands.
6.3Fuller and on off, Kaitano presses forward and eases it past cover for a couple of runs.
6.2On a length, on the pads, Takudzwanashe Kaitano closes the face of the bat early and gets the top edge. It lobs and drops in front of mid on.
6.1A well-directed bumper, over middle, Takudzwanashe Kaitano hurriedly ducks under it.
5.6Risky single! Seaming away, on off, on a good length, Kaitano drops it to the right of point and sets off for a single. Prince is a bit late in responding. Corbin Bosch gets to the ball quickly and fires in a throw at the batting end but misses. It would have been close had the throw hit.
5.5In the corridor on off, on a good length, Takudzwanashe Kaitano makes a watchful leave.
5.4Too wide to make the batter play, shaping away, Kaitano lets it be.
5.3Goes full and outside off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano leans for the drive and gets an inside edge onto the front pad.
5.2This nips back in, on a length, on the off stump, Takudzwanashe Kaitano gets forward and defends with his bat close to the front pad.
5.1On the fuller side, on off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano gets a bit squared up on the defence due to the away seam movement. Gets it off the outer half to point.
4.6Delivers it on a length, on middle and leg, tucked to square leg by Prince.
4.5Pushed across the left-hander, on a length, left alone by Prince.
4.4Bangs it on a hard length, over off, Prince Masvaure rises with the bounce and keeps it out.
4.3On middle and leg, on a length, Prince Masvaure nudges it watchfully to the right of deep fine leg for a couple of runs.
4.2Nipping back in, on a good length, Prince works it to the left of mid-wicket and sets off for a single before being sent back by his partner.
4.1Sprayed well down leg, Prince Masvaure lets it go. Kyle Verreynne flings hismelf to his right to make the stop.
3.6Beaten! The ball threatens to angle in but eventually nips away off the deck, on a good length, on the off stump, Takudzwanashe Kaitano hangs his bat out to block but the ball zips past the outside edge.
3.5Hurls it on a nagging length, on off, Kaitano jabs it from the crease to mid-wicket.
3.4Straying on the pads, on a length, Prince Masvaure tickles it down to deep fine leg and gets off the mark with a single.
3.3Pitched up, on the pads, Prince Masvaure is rooted to the crease and is tentative on the flick. Gets beaten on the inside edge to wear it on the front pad.
3.2Leg bye! Jagging back in, on middle and leg, on a good length, Takudzwanashe Kaitano plants his front foot forward to turn it away on the leg side. The ball goes past the bat and clips the pads before rolling towards deep fine leg for a leg bye.
3.1On off, on a back of a length, Takudzwanashe Kaitano pats it off the back foot to mid on.
2.6This seams away and kicks up a bit, after landing around the line of the leg stump, Prince Masvaure shuffles a bit to get behind the line. Presents a straight bat but gets beaten on the outside edge and gets hit high on the left thigh.
2.5Sliding in at the hips, Takudzwanashe Kaitano helps it down to deep fine leg and takes the single to open his account.
2.4Angling in, on a hard length, on middle, Takudzwanashe Kaitano tries to work it on the leg side with a closed bat face. He is a bit late on the shot and wears it on the thigh pad.
2.3Serves it on a back of a length, outside off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano watchfully lets it go.
2.2Makes the batter play this time, on the off stump, on a length, Takudzwanashe Kaitano covers the line and defends.
2.1Codi continues to be a bit too wide and short. Outside off, on a short of a length, moving away, Kaitano shoulders arms.
1.6Pulls the length back slightly, on the off stump, Prince Masvaure stabs it down with a straight bat.
1.5Pitched up, just outside the off stump, Prince pushes it down the deck.
1.4On top of off, on a good length, Prince Masvaure gets behind the line and solidly defends.
1.3Beaten! Closer to the off stump, on a nagging length, straightens off the deck, Prince goes feeling for the ball a bit and gets beaten on the outside edge.
1.2Angling in and then nibbling away, on a length, Prince Masvaure does follow the ball initially before withdrawing his bat.
1.1Begins from around the wicket, on a good length, in the channel on off, left alone by Prince.
Wiaan Mulder to share the new cherry.
0.6Codi Yusuf starts with a maiden! Lands it on a back of a length, wide outside off, an easy leave for Kaitano.
0.5Swinging away from the right-hander, outside off, on a good length, Takudzwanashe Kaitano leaves it alone.
0.4Fuller in length, outside off, a tempter for Kaitano but he resists and does not offer a shot.
0.3Moving away in the air, outside off, on a good length, Kaitano shoulders arms.
0.2Another one a bit too wide to make the batter play, on a good length, Kaitano is happy to let it go.
0.1Shaping away, well outside off, on a good length, Takudzwanashe Kaitano makes the leave. The ball just about carries to the keeper, Kyle Verreynne.
| Index | Price | Change | % Chg |
|---|---|---|---|
Nifty 50 | 25145.50 | -81.85 | -0.32 |
BSE Sensex | 82029.98 | -297.07 | -0.36 |
Nifty Bank | 56496.45 | -128.55 | -0.23 |
Nifty IT | 35214.85 | -115.95 | -0.33 |
BSE SmallCap | 52643.72 | -503.66 | -0.95 |
| Rank | Team | Points | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 3732 | 124 |
| 2 | South Africa | 2873 | 115 |
| 3 | England | 4469 | 112 |
| 4 | India | 3881 | 108 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 2409 | 96 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 2364 | 88 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 1705 | 78 |
| 8 | West Indies | 2036 | 70 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 1648 | 61 |
| 10 | Ireland | 152 | 30 |
| 11 | Afghanistan | 104 | 21 |
| 12 | Zimbabwe | 137 | 8 |
| Rank | Team | Points | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 4471 | 124 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 4160 | 109 |
| 3 | Australia | 3717 | 106 |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | 4235 | 103 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 3493 | 100 |
| 6 | South Africa | 3457 | 99 |
| 7 | Afghanistan | 2532 | 94 |
| 8 | England | 3252 | 88 |
| 9 | West Indies | 2814 | 80 |
| 10 | Bangladesh | 2549 | 75 |
| 11 | Zimbabwe | 1291 | 54 |
| 12 | Ireland | 938 | 52 |
| 13 | Scotland | 1522 | 46 |
| 14 | USA | 1387 | 41 |
| 15 | Netherlands | 1425 | 40 |
| 16 | Oman | 886 | 35 |
| 17 | Nepal | 1060 | 33 |
| 18 | Namibia | 707 | 21 |
| 19 | Canada | 357 | 16 |
| 20 | United Arab Emirates | 250 | 8 |
| Rank | Team | Points | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 17396 | 272 |
| 2 | Australia | 10434 | 268 |
| 3 | England | 11308 | 257 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 12061 | 251 |
| 5 | South Africa | 11103 | 241 |
| 6 | West Indies | 12701 | 235 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 15141 | 233 |
| 8 | Sri Lanka | 9899 | 230 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 13711 | 225 |
| 10 | Afghanistan | 8914 | 217 |
| 11 | Zimbabwe | 11860 | 201 |
| 12 | Ireland | 6821 | 201 |
| 13 | Netherlands | 6366 | 182 |
| 14 | Scotland | 4178 | 182 |
| 15 | Namibia | 6344 | 181 |
| 16 | United Arab Emirates | 10109 | 177 |
| 17 | Nepal | 6997 | 175 |
| 18 | USA | 5769 | 175 |
| 19 | Canada | 5374 | 154 |
| 20 | Oman | 6627 | 151 |
| 21 | Uganda | 7952 | 142 |
| 22 | Papua New Guinea | 2718 | 136 |
| 23 | Kuwait | 5441 | 130 |
| 24 | Hong Kong | 6374 | 127 |
| 25 | Malaysia | 6508 | 123 |
| 26 | Bahrain | 7285 | 119 |
| 27 | Jersey | 2819 | 117 |
| 28 | Italy | 1725 | 115 |
| 29 | Qatar | 4064 | 113 |
| 30 | Bermuda | 3040 | 113 |
| 31 | Spain | 1872 | 110 |
| 32 | Saudi Arabia | 4245 | 109 |
| 33 | Kenya | 5074 | 106 |
| 34 | Tanzania | 4082 | 100 |
| 35 | Germany | 1924 | 87 |
| 36 | Nigeria | 3377 | 79 |
| 37 | Singapore | 2844 | 77 |
| 38 | Guernsey | 2071 | 77 |
| 39 | Cayman Islands | 1921 | 74 |
| 40 | Austria | 3771 | 71 |
| 41 | Denmark | 1262 | 70 |
| 42 | Norway | 2095 | 70 |
| 43 | Japan | 2347 | 67 |
| 44 | Portugal | 1333 | 67 |
| 45 | Belgium | 2059 | 57 |
| 46 | Cambodia | 1365 | 57 |
| 47 | Switzerland | 1086 | 49 |
| 48 | Finland | 1130 | 49 |
| 49 | Argentina | 627 | 48 |
| 50 | Sweden | 1048 | 48 |
| 51 | Malawi | 2019 | 47 |
| 52 | Botswana | 1547 | 47 |
| 53 | Isle of Man | 604 | 46 |
| 54 | France | 1109 | 46 |
| 55 | Thailand | 1654 | 46 |
| 56 | Romania | 1360 | 45 |
| 57 | Bahamas | 972 | 42 |
| 58 | Czechia | 911 | 41 |
| 59 | Cook Islands | 552 | 39 |
| 60 | Philippines | 827 | 38 |
| 61 | Rwanda | 2343 | 37 |
| 62 | Fiji | 387 | 35 |
| 63 | Vanuatu | 561 | 35 |
| 64 | Samoa | 611 | 31 |
| 65 | Ghana | 570 | 30 |
| 66 | Sierra Leone | 504 | 30 |
| 67 | Indonesia | 1650 | 29 |
| 68 | Hungary | 971 | 29 |
| 69 | Estonia | 665 | 28 |
| 70 | Malta | 1085 | 26 |
| 71 | Mozambique | 518 | 26 |
| 72 | Swaziland | 491 | 26 |
| 73 | Israel | 178 | 25 |
| 74 | Cyprus | 420 | 23 |
| 75 | Panama | 318 | 21 |
| 76 | Belize | 164 | 21 |
| 77 | Gibraltar | 494 | 19 |
| 78 | Luxembourg | 432 | 18 |
| 79 | Serbia | 451 | 17 |
| 80 | Costa Rica | 218 | 17 |
| 81 | Bhutan | 336 | 16 |
| 82 | Suriname | 119 | 15 |
| 83 | Brazil | 131 | 15 |
| 84 | Mexico | 222 | 13 |
| 85 | Maldives | 214 | 10 |
| 86 | Cameroon | 86 | 8 |
| 87 | Bulgaria | 145 | 6 |
| 88 | Korea | 94 | 6 |
| 89 | St.Helena | 44 | 6 |
| 90 | China | 29 | 5 |
| 91 | Lesotho | 24 | 2 |
| 92 | Turkiye | 26 | 2 |
| 93 | Gambia | 6 | 1 |
| 94 | Slovenia | 0 | 0 |
| 94 | Seychelles | 0 | 0 |
| 94 | Myanmar | 0 | 0 |
| 94 | Mali | 0 | 0 |
| 94 | Greece | 0 | 0 |
| 94 | Croatia | 0 | 0 |
| 94 | Mongolia | 0 | 0 |
Stumps 
