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Williams' 137 Helps Zimbabwe Avoid Follow-On But Proteas Maintain Dominance On Day 2

Arnav Chopra

Sean Williams and Keshav Maharaj (Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com)Sean Williams and Keshav Maharaj (Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com)

After a sensational day one for South Africa, Zimbabwe's Sean Williams played an unbelievable knock to help his side get to a decent total, but South Africa remained ahead after day 2's conclusion. In the first Test between ZIM vs SA at Bulawayo's Queen Sports Club, South Africa ended Day 2 with a lead of 216 runs at stumps.

Here’s a look at the ZIM vs SA highlights from Day 2 of the 1st Test

South Africa Declare Overnight; Zimbabwe In Early Trouble As Bennett Concussed, But Williams Holds Fort

After putting up a gigantic 418 on the board for the loss of nine wickets on the back of Lhuan-dre Pretorius' 153 on debut, South Africa declared overnight, as Zimbabwe's openers, Brian Bennett and Takudzwanashe Kaitano, came out to bat in the morning.

Kaitano departed for a golden duck courtesy of debutant Codi Yusuf, who found his edge and made him play a false stroke and then, the one down batter, Nick Welch, as he became Yusuf's second big strike of the day.

On the other hand, Brian Bennett, who was looking solid with 19 of 28 deliveries, was struck on the head courtesy of a bouncer while playing a hook against debutant Kwena Maphaka. He missed the ball completely, which the ball struck his helmet, and he was subsequently ruled out of the game after walking off the crease due to concussion.

Prince Masvaure replaced him on the side as Zimbabwe looked to keep themselves in the game, where Sean Williams and skipper Craig Ervine were battling it out in the centre. Ervine played fine, but fell to the opponent skipper, Keshav Maharaj, as he tried to play out of his crease and was stumped by the keeper Kyle Verreynne for 36.

On the contrary, Williams reached his century as Zimbabwe, who lost their third wicket for 119, kept themselves afloat in the game with 185/5. Wessly Madhevere was Wiaan Mulder's first strike of the day for 15, while the replacement substitute for Bennett, Masvaure, could only manage 7.

Williams' Blazing Ton Helps Zimbabwe Rule Out Follow-On But SA Bowl Them Out

The Zimbabwean side were in trouble with five down for 185, as Williams was the only constant at the crease. He resumed his approach with some beautiful shots against the Proteas bowling attack and kept on finding boundaries.

Whereas, the Chevrons side kept on losing wickets one after the other, whereas Tafadzwa Tsiga, the wicket-keeper for the Zimbabwean side, was the sixth scalp on 201. Now, with just 17 more required for avoiding falling on, Wellington Masakadza walked onto the crease, but was another defaulter, for just four.

Williams, on the other hand, reached his century off 121 deliveries as Zimbabwe were only riding on the wave of Williams. In the end, it was a matter of too many as Williams put up a fine show of 137, departing after playing 164 deliveries and hitting 16 fours, as Zimbabwe marched on to 249 for 8 when Williams was dismissed.

Soon after, they lost their remaining two wickets as the Proteas bowled them out for 251. Codi Yusuf, on debut, picked three alongside skipper Keshav Maharaj, while Wiaan Mulder was just one short of his five-wicket haul, claiming four wickets for 50 runs. Maharaj, on the way, became the first-ever South African spinner to pick 200 wickets in Test cricket.

South Africa Ends Day 2 After Extending Dominance

Zimbabwe were bowled out for 251, giving the visiting Proteas a 167-run lead in the first Test. Out came the openers, Matthew Breetzke and Tony De Zorzi, but the former couldn't leave a mark in the second innings as he departed on the second delivery of the second over to Tanaka Chivanga.

The Proteas were just one down for a run on the board. Four-wicket-hauler in the previous innings, Wiaan Mulder, made his way to the center and batted alongside De Zorzi beautifully till the end of the day as the Proteas put up 49 runs on the board by the end of 13 overs with just one wicket down, with De Zorzi (22*) and Mulder (25*), helping South Africa extend their dominance as they now lead by 216 runs by the end of day 2 when stumps were called.