BULAWAYO – South Africa completed a thumping innings-and-236-run victory over Zimbabwe on the third day of the second Test at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday, sealing a 2-0 clean sweep of the series.
Batting first, South Africa piled up a massive 626-5 declared, led by a career-defining 367 by stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder*, who surprised many by choosing not to pursue Brian Lara’s world record of 400*. Mulder declared the innings at lunch on day two, just 33 runs short of the milestone.
“Respecting the game is really important, and Lara is one of the greatest ever to play,” said Mulder, whose innings now stands as the fifth-highest Test score in history and a new South African record. He also took three wickets and three catches, earning the Player of the Match award for his all-round brilliance.
Zimbabwe were bowled out for 170 in their first innings, and then dismissed for 220 after being forced to follow on. Despite brief resistance from Nick Welch (55), Craig Ervine (49), and Takudzwanashe Kaitano (40), the hosts collapsed before tea. Corbin Bosch claimed 4-38, while Senuran Muthusamy picked up three wickets.
South Africa’s dominance came even with several key players rested after their World Test Championship triumph over Australia last month at Lord’s. The Proteas also won the first Test by 328 runs, and have now extended their winning streak to 10 consecutive Test matches.
South Africa’s next red-ball assignment is an away series against Pakistan in October, while Zimbabwe will host New Zealand for a two-Test series in Bulawayo starting later this month.
