• South Africa defeated Zimbabwe by 328 runs in the first Test, with strong all-round performance in Bulawayo.

  • Lhan-dre Pretorius crowned Player of the Match for his phenomenal batting performance.

Fans erupt as Lhan-dre Pretorius and Corbin Bosch star in South Africa’s commanding 328-run win in the first Test
ZIM vs SA, 1st Test (Image Source: X)

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The defending World Test Champions, South Africa, registered a dominant win over Zimbabwe by a massive 328 runs in the opening game of the two-match Test series in Bulawayo. Despite featuring numerous fresh faces, the Proteas displayed great character away from home. The defeat marked the heaviest for the hosts in terms of run margin.

Corbin Bosch’s five-wicket haul seals dominant win for South Africa

Starting Day 4 in a comfortable position, with Zimbabwe needing over 500 runs and nine wickets in hand, the Proteas bowled with discipline to wrap up the Zimbabwean innings swiftly. By lunch, the hosts were struggling at 150 for 6, with much of their batting already back in the pavilion. Skipper Craig Ervine showed some resistance with a gritty 49, while Wellington Masakadza impressed with a fighting half-century, scoring 57 off 92 balls.

For South Africa, the day belonged to pacer Corbin Bosch, who delivered a superb spell to claim a five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5 for 43. Codi Yusuf also shone with the ball, picking up 3 wickets and earning praise for his swing and consistent lengths. Skipper Keshav Maharaj and young talent Dewald Brevis chipped in with one wicket each, completing a clinical bowling performance that secured South Africa a convincing victory.

Lhan-dre Pretorius shines with a tremendous century

Just weeks after their historic triumph at Lord’s, the Proteas were assigned their next challenge with a slightly different lineup. Despite the changes, the side delivered as per expectations, bringing several positives to the table. Among the standout performers was Lhan-dre Pretorius, who scored a scintillating century with a superb 153 in the first innings.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, showed promise but will need their youngsters to step up if they are to compete at this level. Veteran batter Sean Williams was phenomenal, anchoring their first innings with a gritty century, scoring 137 runs and providing much-needed stability to the batting lineup.

Also READ: Who is Codi Yusuf? South Africa’s new bowling hope with Dale Steyn’s stamp of approval

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About the Author:
VARUN VERMA
Varun Verma is a dedicated cricket enthusiast with a flair for storytelling and in-depth analysis. Combining a deep knowledge of the sport with a talent for engaging content creation, he brings the drama and thrill of the game to life for fans around the world. Drawing inspiration from the grit and passion of players like Ben Stokes, Varun aspires to one day experience the electrifying atmosphere of a Test match at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. He can be reached at varun.verma@crickettimes.com and followed on LinkedIn and X.