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Veteran batter Sean Williams produced a heroic century to keep Zimbabwe afloat, but South Africa tightened their grip on the first Test at Queens Sports Club, ending day two with a commanding lead and nine wickets in hand.
Sean Williams stands tall amid Zimbabwean collapse
Williams, 38, showcased his class and resilience with a fluent 137 off 164 balls, marking his sixth Test hundred and the third-highest score of his career. His innings was a lone stand of defiance in a Zimbabwean reply that otherwise faltered under South Africa’s disciplined bowling. Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 251, trailing South Africa’s imposing first-innings total of 418 for nine declared.
The left-hander arrived at the crease in crisis after opener Brian Bennett was forced to retire hurt, struck on the helmet by a vicious bouncer from teenage speedster Kwena Maphaka. That blow left Zimbabwe reeling at 28 for three, but Williams found an ally in captain Craig Ervine, sharing a vital 89-run partnership that temporarily steadied the innings.
Williams’ century, brought up in just 122 balls, was a blend of aggression and composure. He struck 16 boundaries, showing particular authority against the spinners, and was undeterred even after taking a nasty blow to the helmet from Maphaka himself. His innings ended when he was stumped off the bowling of stand-in South African captain Keshav Maharaj, leaving the field to a standing ovation from the Bulawayo crowd.
The rest of Zimbabwe’s batting failed to provide substantial support. Concussion substitute Prince Masvaure managed just seven, while all-rounder Wiaan Mulder (4/50) and debutant seamer Codi Yusuf (3/42) ran through the lower order. Maharaj finished with 3/70, including the crucial wicket of Williams.
Proteas build on first-innings advantage
Earlier, South Africa had recovered from a precarious 55 for four on day one, thanks to debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ record-breaking 153 and Corbin Bosch’s maiden Test century. Their 95-run stand for the fifth wicket, followed by useful lower-order contributions, propelled the visitors to a formidable total. Zimbabwe’s bowlers, led by Tanaka Chivanga and Blessing Muzarabani, had threatened early but could not sustain the pressure as missed chances and resilient batting shifted momentum South Africa’s way.
At stumps, South Africa were 49 for one in their second innings, with Tony de Zorzi (22 not out) and Wiaan Mulder (25 not out) looking to extend the lead beyond 216 runs. The Proteas, fielding a side missing several regulars, have seized control and are poised to set Zimbabwe an imposing target on a surface offering assistance to both seamers and spinners.
South Africa in a commanding position at the end of Day 2#cricket #ZIMvSA pic.twitter.com/AK2u4qvQTw
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 29, 2025
Williams’ valiant effort may have saved Zimbabwe from total collapse, but with South Africa firmly in charge, the hosts face an uphill battle to avoid defeat as the match heads into its third day.
