As the 1st test match in this Zimbabwe Test Series is in the books, it was an astounding 300+ run win for South Africa. Getting a win like this has not only given them confidence for the second match, but it is also their tenth straight victory in test matches.
With South Africa setting the tone early from day one in this match, this Proteas squad looked in control when batting, bowling, and fielding throughout these four days. Seeing that captain Keshav Maharaj provided young leadership to several newcomers for his side in this match, it helped prove how much South Africa is developing as a test-playing nation.
With July 6th being the 2nd and last time these two squads face off, it will be interesting to see if Zimbabwe can fight back after a gigantic defeat or if their opponents continue getting dominating victories against them.
Talking about Zimbabwe in this match, specifically, they ended up losing their third straight long-format game, and both players plus fans were in complete despair since their hope was through the roof prior to this match. Although both sides were without some key pieces that could potentially come back for the second test, there were still several key talking points after seeing what was displayed during this first matchup.
South Africa’s Batting Depth Was In Full Control
Looking at this batting unit before the match, many analysts and experts questioned the South Africa team’s balanced attack. Not knowing whether they could put up high scores consistently, they proved everyone wrong by hitting over 770 runs in both innings. All-rounder Wiaan Mulder stood out in a struggling top order as he managed to be this match’s number one scorer with 164 runs and a near 150+. As he didn’t showcase much consistency before this in test cricket, the one-down batsman exhibited great range in hitting sixes and could also play safe shots. Another piece that really showed up in the match was Corbin Bosch as he followed up his maiden century with a knock of 36.
Although his shots didn’t look as classy as Mulder’s, there was a clear intent on why he was always trying to find boundary lines on either side, and he had great stability to run between wickets. Lhaun-Dre Pretorius also made tons of noise with his 150+ score and strength to hit the ball out of the ground as he finished with 11 fours and 4 sixes.
Someone who couldn’t get going in the second innings like the other two, it’s fine for him because even Dewald Brewis wasn’t able to convert anything after his 50. Lastly, spinner Keshav Maharaj was the most impactful lower-order batsman during this match as he finished with 72 runs and had a nice partnership going with Codi Yusuf in the first innings.
The Proteas Have New Gems In Their Bowling Attack
This match just didn’t provide us with how great South Africa’s batting is, but their young bowling talent, which could make further impacts in the second match. As everyone already knows, how great Keshav Maharaj is with four more wickets in this series, pacers like Codi Yusuf and all-rounder Corbin Bosch displayed prowess.
With Codi Yusuf having made his debut in this match, he picked up 6 wickets and delivered five maiden overs. Getting people like Wessley Madhevere, Takudzwanshe Kaitano, and Nick Welch out at least once, the swing he bowled with on deliveries at batsmen’s legs made him very difficult to play.
Bowling at a great pace too, he was giving unplayable short balls that were being compared to the likes of Dale Steyn. Now getting into Corbin Bosch, his impact was massive after the up-and-coming South African player took a 5 wicket haul in the second innings. Having bowled from unique angles, he continued to confuse batsmen by changing the direction from which he was going to deliver.
Doing this helped him get both Sean Williams and Craig Ervine out on catches, plus he took out Nick Welch. As a game-changer during the second innings, his quick wicket-taking ability helped them cap off the game with a Dewald Brewis wicket.
Zimbabwe’s Batting Rhythm Is All Over The Place
For Zimbabwe, although their bowling has taken a massive leap in test-match cricket, they are struggling quite a bit on the batting side. Sean Williams, 173 runs, really showed up for them in both innings alongside captain Craig Ervine, but outside of that and a half century from Wellington Masakadza in their 2nd innings, this unit hasn’t found any consistency.
Although Blessing Muzarabani hit a 32-not-out knock nearing the match’s end, the top-order batsman struggled for this group once again after Brian Bennett’s injury. Opener Takudzwanshe Kaitano only finished with 12 runs in 2 innings and will bring an already rough average even lower.
Meanwhile, Nick Welch continues finding no hope at the crease as he only faced 6 balls and hit 4 runs off them during this whole match. With Wessley Madhevere becoming one of the easier batsmen to get out nowadays due to a repetition of the same shot, his 7.5 average really lowered his standing as an all-rounder once again.
Seeing that the direct middle order led by Tafadzwa Tsiga couldn’t find a balance to build a bridge that could help make this game closer, this will be one vital piece if Zimbabwe wants to have consistent batting, so their chances get higher for winning the 2nd test match get higher.
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