There were a lot of whispers when Wiaan Mulder was named South Africa's stand-in skipper in place of an injured Keshav Maharaj for the second Test against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
But on Sunday, the top-order batter proved his credentials with a majestic double century on the opening day of the match as South Africa reached a mammoth 465/4 off 88 overs.
It was a real blockbuster opening for the second and final Test match as Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field first. They struck gold straightaway by reducing the visitors to 24/2 with debutant Lesego Senokwane (3) and Tony de Zorzi (10) getting out cheaply.
But Mulder took over from there and hammered an unbeaten 264 off 259 balls, studded with 34 fours and three sixes, registering the highest individual score by a South African in his first innings as captain. David Bedingham (82) and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (78) contributed half-centuries as the Proteas made merry on Sunday.
Mulder's sensational assault left the Zimbabwe bowlers shell-shocked and his partner Bedingham, with whom he shared a 184-run partnership for the third wicket, mesmerised.
Mulder quickly reached his milestones, speeding through like a race car. He scored 50 in 53 balls (4x7, 6x1), 100 off 116 balls (4x13, 6x1), 150 runs in 167 balls (4x21, 6x1), 200 in 214 balls (4x26, 6x1) and 250 in 243 balls (4x32, 6x3), leaving the statisticians scrambling for the record books for comparison.
At the end of the day, Bedingham spoke highly of Mulder’s brilliant batting and attributed his success to years of hard work.
For Wiaan to bat the whole day — what did he score, 260-odd? I know how hard he’s worked for five years, and it’s not just, let’s say, the last three months. I think he’s wanted it for so long.
“He’s worked his arse off for five years, so I’m really happy and chuffed for Wiaan. I think as a team we all really enjoy each other’s success, but especially seeing Wiaan do well — the team really likes it and appreciates it,” said Bedingham, who impressed with a fluent 101-ball knock before falling to Tanaka Chivanga, who was the pick of Zimbabwe’s bowlers with 2-85.
The 27-year-old Mulder then shared a more productive 217-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Lhuan-dre Pretorius (78), the 19-year-old, who scored a century on debut last week, played positively yet sensibly, rotating the strike and punishing anything loose.
Pretorius holed out to Wellington Masakadza off the bowling of Kundai Matigimu just before stumps, but Mulder and Dewald Brevis (15 not out) guided South Africa to a commanding 465/4, with the visitors firmly in the driver’s seat going into Day Two.
Brief Scores: South Africa 465/4 in 88 overs (Wiaan Mulder 264 not out, David Bedingham 82, Lhuan-dre Pretorius 78; Tanaka Chivanga 2-85) against Zimbabwe.
