ZIMBABWE’S captain Craig Ervine believes his team was one pace bowler short in their 328-run loss, inside four days to South Africa in the first Test at Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.
Despite a promising start on Day One, with fierce seam bowling from the “twin towers”, Blessing Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga, Zimbabwe couldn’t maintain their momentum.
At lunch on Day One, South Africa were struggling at 23/3 after 14.2 overs, thanks to Chivanga’s early onslaught.
However, debutant and Player of the Match, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, engineered South Africa’s recovery with a well-played 153.
Corbin Bosch further solidified their position with an unbeaten 100 off 124 balls, as the Proteas declared on 418/9d on the morning of day two.
Chivanga finished with an impressive four wickets.
“I thought Blessing and Chivanga started really well,” Ervine remarked.
“In hindsight, another seamer would’ve done us a few more favours in the first session after bowling first.
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“We thought there would be a little bit more turn on offer as the Test match went on.”
Zimbabwe faced an early setback when opener Brian Bennett retired hurt in the first innings due to concussion and was subsequently ruled out of the match.
Sean Williams was a standout performer, notching his sixth Test hundred with a superb 137 off 164 balls.
However, he lacked crucial support, with several batsmen getting good starts, but failing to convert them into significant scores.
“Williams was exceptional,” Ervine added.
“Nice, positive cricket. He was always looking to score. Credit to him. Disappointing that there was no one to support him to get us to a more respectable total.
“The spin department could be a little bit more consistent. From a batting perspective, a few guys got starts, including myself, but we need to go on and get 100s — 30s and 40s won’t cut it at this level. Bennett is still being monitored, but hopefully, he’s fit before the second Test.”
Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 251 runs in their first innings, with Wiaan Mulder claiming four wickets and Codi Yusuf and South Africa skipper Keshav Maharaj taking three wickets each.
Another century for South Africa in the second innings, a gritty 147 off 206 balls from Mulder and a quickfire 51 from Maharaj further compounded Zimbabwe’s woes.
Zimbabwe spinner Wellington Masakadza was instrumental, taking four wickets as South Africa were eventually bowled out for 369, setting a formidable lead of 536 runs.
Zimbabwe succumbed on day four, bowled out for 208 runs, losing the first match by 328 runs.
Maharaj was thrilled with his team’s victory.
“Obviously, very good to get over the line,” he said.
“To see the character was very heartwarming. The display with the ball was very encouraging to see. No pressure, we know the talent within our systems.
“It was getting them in the right frame of mind to execute, and they showed that throughout the four days.”
Maharaj also praised his teammates, particularly Pretorius, Dewald Brevis and Wiaan Mulder.
“I’ve had my eye on Lhuan-dre since the SA20, and he hasn’t looked back since in any format. He’s a mature young lad. To see how he goes about his business in pressure situations was very heartwarming.”
Player of the Match Pretorius expressed his delight.
“It’s a moment I’ll cherish and remember for a very long time. It was amazing. I haven’t played a lot of first-class games, but I’ve been in that position once or twice,” he said.
“I tried to stick to my game plan. The message was quite clear in the change room — that I needed to be myself, soaking in the pressure and transferring it again was important.”
The second Test kicks off on Sunday.
