As they ended the third day of the first Test at 32/1, Zimbabwe were facing an uphill task, chasing a massive target of 537 runs in the first Test of the two-match series against a rampant South Africa at the Queen's Sports Club in Bulawayo.
It's an interesting one (situation). The margin at the moment is massive. But also had certain moments gone differently on Day One, and I'm not going to elaborate on those moments, but if those moments had gone differently, I think it would be a lot tighter than what it is right now.
"Having said that, we've said opportunities that we can take and we've got ourselves to plan for that. Though the hosts were still 505 runs in areas and have a mountain to climb with nine wickets in hand, Sammons said they would have been a little better if they had not lost the wicket in the final over of the day.
"Just the lack of an awareness in terms of where the game is at. So for me, that is really disappointing to see that happening. I think their focus is still on the task at hand," said Sammons.
At stumps on Day 3, Zimbabwe were 32 for the loss of Takudzwanashe Kaitano's wicket for 12 runs. Prince Masvaure, who came in as a concussion substitute for Brian Bannett, is at the other end with five runs and will resume the innings with the new batsman.
South Africa are in this overwhelmingly dominant position because of all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, who produced a brilliant career-best 147 to put South Africa in complete control on Day Three of the Test.
His composed, yet commanding knock ensured the visitors set Zimbabwe a towering target of 537 before Corbin Bosch’s late strike left the hosts on 32 for 1 at stumps.
Starting the day with a lead of 167, Tony de Zorzi and Mulder added 63 runs for the second wicket before the former edged Tanaka Chivanga to Sean Williams for 31. Mulder, batting with patience, capitalised on every loose delivery, driving and flicking with authority as he continued to build the second innings.
He raised 72 runs with David Bedingham, who looked threatening before falling for 35, miscuing a pull off Wellington Masakadza. That dismissal ushered in Zimbabwe’s best phase, as they grabbed three runs in quick succession for 19 runs including the wicket of first innings centurion Lhuan-dre Pretorius (4), briefly raising hopes of restricting the visitors.
But Mulder, unfazed, combined grit and flair, bringing up his fifty with a towering six and eventually racing to his second Test ton with a boundary just before lunch. His partnerships, including a crucial 104-run stand with Kyle Verreynne (36), took the game beyond Zimbabwe’s reach.
South Africa’s lower order continued to press home their advantage. Skipper Keshav Maharaj (51, 70 balls,4x4, 6x1) and Bosch (36, 41 balls, 4x4) shared a rapid 92-run stand as the hosts’ bowlers wilted under their onslaught.
Maharaj mixed caution with aggression, while Bosch’s reverse sweeps and crisp boundaries piled on the pain for the hosts. Wellington Masakadza claimed Bosch and Maharaj within a run and South Africa were eventually dismissed for 369, leaving Zimbabwe a 537-run mountain to climb.
Faced with a daunting chase, Zimbabwe’s openers Kaitano and Masvaure began with extreme caution, managing just 32 runs in 19 overs —15 of them extras. South Africa’s bowlers kept it tight, and in the final over, Bosch broke through, having Kaitano edge to second slip for 12. The wicket capped another dominant day for the Proteas, who will look to seal victory swiftly on day four.
Brief Scores: South Africa 218/9d & 369 all out in 82.5 overs (Wiaan Mulder 147, Keshav Maharaj 51; Wellington Masakadza 4-98, Tanaka Chivanga 2-76) lead Zimbabwe 251 all out & 32/1 in 18.2 overs (Takudzwanashe Kaitano 12 not out, Prince Masvaure 5; Corbin Bosch 1-1) by 505 runs.
