South Africa's Remarkable Recovery in 1st Test Against Zimbabwe

In a thrilling first Test match in Bulawayo, South Africa overcame a shaky start to post a formidable total of 418/9. Debutants Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Corbin Bosch played crucial roles, with Pretorius scoring a record-breaking 153 runs. Despite Zimbabwe's early success, they couldn't maintain their advantage as South Africa's batsmen took control of the game. This match highlights the unpredictable nature of Test cricket, where fortunes can shift dramatically.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 28, 2025, 22:06 IST

South Africa Stages a Comeback in Bulawayo Test

The opening hour of the first Test between Zimbabwe and South Africa in Bulawayo suggested a potential collapse for the visitors, who found themselves at a precarious 55/4. However, Zimbabwe's reputation as the underdogs in Test cricket often allows opponents to bounce back, and South Africa capitalized on this opportunity.

Dewald Brevis, a newcomer, played a pivotal role with a quickfire 51 runs off 41 balls, followed by Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who scored an impressive 153 runs from 160 deliveries. In the final moments of the day, all-rounder Corbin Bosch also celebrated his first Test century, leading South Africa to a total of 418/9 after 90 overs.

With this achievement, Lhuan-dre set a record as the youngest South African to score a century on debut, surpassing the long-standing record held by Graeme Pollock at 19 years and 93 days. The top order for South Africa struggled, with Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Wiaan Mulder, and David Bedingham failing to make significant contributions.

The lower order provided some valuable runs, with captain Keshav Maharaj scoring 21 and Codi Yusuf adding 27 off 49 balls. Zimbabwe's bowling performance was average overall, with Blessing Muzarabani being the standout bowler, taking 2 wickets for 59 runs, while Tanaka Chivanga claimed 4 wickets for 83 runs.

Pretorius Shines on Debut as South Africa Capitalizes

After a shaky start at 23/3, South Africa made a strong recovery, thanks to debutants Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dewald Brevis, who formed a crucial 95-run partnership. Pretorius's remarkable debut innings of 153 was complemented by Corbin Bosch, who took full advantage of an early drop to score a composed century.

Bosch's partnerships with Codi Yusuf and Kwena Maphaka were instrumental in reaching his milestone. Although Zimbabwe began well, they allowed the match to slip away as the pitch conditions improved, enabling South Africa's batsmen to take control.