PROTEAS BLIKZIM HOSTS

THE Proteas made light work of Zimbabwe in the first Test match at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, beating the hosts by a moerse 328 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

In the absence of the big guns, including the injured captain Temba Bavuma and the rested Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen, the Proteas Test squad proved too strong for Zimbabwe.

All-rounder Corbin Bosch (5/43) led from the front with the ball yesterday, claiming four of the nine wickets South Africa needed to wrap up the match. The 30-year-old went on to register his maiden Test five-wicket haul in just his second appearance, making a strong case for himself as a genuine all-rounder.

Debutant Codi Yusuf was also instrumental in the morning session on day four, with the right-arm quick taking three wickets to finish with six in the match. Stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj played the holding role with excellence, allowing the quicks to rotate from the opposite end.

The spinner returned figures of 1/71 in 24 overs, while Dewald Brevis took the final wicket to help SA seal the win — despite a fighting batting partnership between Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine (49) and Wellington Masakadza (57).

The victory was set up brilliantly by Proteas No.3 Wiaan Mulder, who struck his first Test century at the new position.

Maharaj said: “New position batting at three, and to see him take the opportunity with both hands, I’m really happy and pleased for him. And to see him putting in the bowling display—it just shows why he’s part and parcel of our starting XI.”

Debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius' 153 in the first innings was also instrumental, alongside Bosch’s maiden century and Brevis’ maiden half-century. Maharaj highlighted how quickly the trio has settled into international cricket.

He added: “Happy to see the signs from the youngsters coming through the system and just how they fit in so well within our team environment.”