South Africa firmly tightened their grip on the second Check in opposition to Zimbabwe on the Queens Sports activities Membership in Bulawayo, courtesy of a record-shattering 367 not out from Wiaan Mulder.
Wiaan Mulder’s batting brilliance put South Africa on prime
Resuming the day on 264*, Mulder went previous a number of milestones en path to the highest-ever rating by a South African in Check cricket, surpassing Hashim Amla’s 311*. He reached his triple century off simply 297 balls—making it the second-fastest in historical past—earlier than launching right into a flurry of strokes that took him to 367 by Lunch. Regardless of being simply 34 runs in need of Brian Lara’s all-time report, Mulder opted to declare the innings, prioritizing workforce dominance over private milestones. South Africa ended their innings on a colossal 626/5.
Zimbabwe falter beneath scoreboard strain
Confronted with a mountain of runs, Zimbabwe’s response was underwhelming. They stumbled early and have been ultimately bundled out for simply 170. Sean Williams, battling sickness, was the lone fighter, smashing a counter-attacking 83* off 55 deliveries with seven fours and two sixes. Nevertheless, the remainder of the lineup did not assist him in opposition to a disciplined South African assault. Debutant spinner Prenelan Subrayen made an instantaneous influence, claiming 4 wickets, whereas Mulder added two extra to his dream day with the ball.
Additionally READ: ZIM vs SA: Wiaan Mulder reveals why he didn’t break Brian Lara’s 400-run Check report
Hosts compelled to follow-on; early setback in second innings
With a large lead in hand, South Africa enforced the follow-on. Zimbabwe started their second innings with extra willpower, however the resistance was short-lived. The opening pair confronted over 9 overs earlier than Dion Myers was castled by Corbin Bosch for 17. Takudzwanashe Kaitano managed to outlive until the tip of play, with Zimbabwe closing the day at 51/1, nonetheless 405 runs adrift and needing a miracle to keep away from a crushing defeat.
From Mulder’s monumental knock to Subrayen’s dream debut, South Africa dominated all classes of Day 2. Except Zimbabwe produces one thing extraordinary on Day 3, the match is headed for a swift finish. All eyes might be on whether or not South Africa can seal a complete win or if the hosts can present some grit to stretch the competition additional.
Right here’s how followers reacted:
Cannot put on that declaration I am sorry. His likelihood will probably by no means come up once more. It is solely day 2, the sport is already superior as a result of they scored so quick. It is not even a WTC match! Watch Zim get rolled for beneath 150×2 and SA win by an innings&300 runs in 3 days 🫠 #ZIMvSA
— Stuart Mills (@sjmills101) July 7, 2025
Zimbabwe All out for 170 in Reply to South Africa’s 626/6
Sean Williams got here in at 7 and blasted 83* (55)
Zimbabwe are following on with SA having a lead of 456 Runs.#ZIMvSA #SAvZIM pic.twitter.com/5uMHXyRP5C
— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) July 7, 2025
Verdict’s out — most really feel Mulder ought to’ve gone after Lara’s 400.Given how Day 2 ended — Zimbabwe bowled out for 170 and now 51/1 following on — it does really feel like a golden alternative missed. https://t.co/wMO1WJEyZl
— lightningspeed (@lightningspeedk) July 8, 2025
Brian Lara’s check report rating of 400* was in actual hazard final night time till Wiaan Mulder declared at lunch on day 2 while undefeated on 367*.
Mulder respectfully determined in opposition to trying to surpass the report out of respect for his legacy.
I personally did not wish to see… pic.twitter.com/im7spDATlv
— Geraint Morris ⚡️🔋 (@TheWelshBull) July 8, 2025
Mulder declaring his innings on 367* at lunch Day 2 is a bitter capsule to swallow. Then he comes and bowls the ninth over as properly…Huge respect, man…. However ought to have gone for a 400.👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 https://t.co/UyZUZfCg4g
— Bibhishana Bhuyan, Ph.D (ଵିଭୀଷଣ ଭୂୟାଁ) (@B_Bhuyan7) July 7, 2025
Respect to Captain Wiaan Mulder! 🫡What an unbelievable show of sportsmanship and strategic pondering from Captain Wiaan Mulder! On simply the second day, with 34 runs separating him from a historic milestone, he is chosen to declare. In a recreation the place private information 1/2 pic.twitter.com/yZwxD7JyTL
— Sudarshan Patil (@sudarshanp90) July 7, 2025
It could have taken no more than 10 overs for Mulder to bat and go previous Lara’s report. And it was simply Day 2 of the Check Match. Prioritizing the nation over particular person information??? Or a really unhealthy determination in the long run??? #ZIMvsSA
— ABS (@AbhiBSarda) July 7, 2025
That is Subrayen 4 you 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/RW8EHfVWai
— Durban’s Tremendous Giants (@DurbansSG) July 7, 2025
Standby for a report bowling efficiency from Prenelan Subrayen. Mark my phrases.
— Myron Naicker (@myronnaicker) July 7, 2025
So happy for my Glenwood brother Prenalen Subrayen… one of many good guys in cricket and somebody who has devoted a variety of time to their craft. Nicely executed Subs!!! #Glenwood #GreenMachine
— Fiso Mazibuko (@fismaz007) July 7, 2025
Subrayen will get his 4th
Magnificent knock from Sean Williams 👏🏻
Zimbabwe all out for 170 in 43 over
Sufficient time for us to bat and provides Mulder one other go, a shot at placing issues proper
Oh
Zimbabwe will comply with on
So 457 to make the Proteas bat once more pic.twitter.com/fy18Bmc1b9
— Werner (@Werries_) July 7, 2025
There might be a particular place for Wiaan Mulder within the Cricket Historical past!!Cricket isn’t at all times in regards to the numbers & trophies. Respecting groups, gamers & taking part in selfless cricket is the true essence of the sport!!#Zimbabwe #SouthAfrica#Mulder #Kingdom #ZIMvSAVideo Credit score:@ICC pic.twitter.com/8E6SJAkwOa
— Mohammed Rafi (@Rafi_mohammed1) July 8, 2025
Wiaan Mulder’s 367* – from no goals of a double to rewriting historical past! 🙌“Lara’s report is secure,” he says, however this knock was legendary in its personal proper. 🔥💯#ZIMvSA #MulderMagic pic.twitter.com/SHW70B5Q86
— Manzar B (@ManzarBwrites) July 8, 2025
From what I’ve seen in latest Assessments — there’s a transparent pitch shift.West Indies pitches are greener & swinging rather a lot, making life powerful for batters.In the meantime, England seems like a batting paradise — flat pitches, runs galore!#INDvsENGTest #ZIMvSA #Thala #Mulder #engvs
— Shivam (@ShivamS92427202) July 8, 2025
𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑 🤩
Wiaan Mulder enters the historical past books with a shocking 367* in opposition to Zimbabwe 👏#ZIMvSA | ✍️: https://t.co/U1zcEk7NQ0#ICC pic.twitter.com/ns45SLHijG
— Vishnoi Babu Lal (@bvishnoi29) July 8, 2025
Hope he would not go previous 0 subsequent time, that’ll be an excellent disservice to New Zealand legend Chris Martin. #ZIMvSA https://t.co/HAqGdCSJE7
— Pravir Singh (@Pravir21) July 8, 2025
pic.twitter.com/ypRiX4U5P1💯💯💯Such calm & clear ideas within the thoughts. An actual present of character, that he’s right here for excellent issues forward…Respect for #WiaanMulder 🇿🇦❣️🏏👏#Mulder #SAvsZIM #ZIMvSA #SouthAfrica @ICC @ProteasMenCSA @ZimCricketv
— V.A. (voyager.anas) (@voyageranas) July 8, 2025
Additionally READ: From Brian Lara to Wiaan Mulder – Prime 5 highest particular person scores in Check cricket historical past
