Wiaan Mulder meant business! In Bulawayo, in the flat relaxation of a pitch with a blazing sun, and as the day went on, the surface was only getting flatter, the South African allrounder became unassailable. His 147-run masterclass was not simply a run accumulation; it was about destroying hope. As the stumps drew on Day 3, Zimbabwe had to contemplate an almost insurmountable task of 537 whilst also clinging on by a thread of hope. At the heart of the destruction? The deliberate, calming violence of Mulder’s bat.
Mulder’s Ton: Not Flashy, But Furious
Wiaan Mulder isn’t the first name that jumps out at you when you think of someone taking the top of the scoreboard in a Test match, but on this particular Monday, he batted like a man out to prove a point – and he did it. He walked in at 63 for 2, strode his way through tough moments, forged key partnerships, and notched his innings like a true pro.
The best thing that came through in his innings was not brute force or audacity; instead, it was intent. Zimbabwe had no decent threat from either end, and Blessing Muzarabani was either ill most of the time or unavailable; meanwhile, Mulder often showed repressed power through drives and clear authority through pulls, especially against the spinners. Even with a decent scoring rate, the selection of shots was almost perfect as he hardly chased a ball outside off stump, and when the bowlers did miss out on their error, it was either short and he could punish, or too full for him to punish.
Zimbabwe’s Bowlers: Overworked and Undermanned
To say Zimbabwe was slaughtered is an understatement; they also lost a bowler. With Muzarabani’s effectiveness reduced at least, Chivanga had to take the entire Zimbabwe pace workload alone. Chivanga bowled a couple of reasonable spells early in the innings but succumbed to fatigue. The best performance by a considerable distance was Masakadza picking up four wickets, and providing the only consistent resistance in the middle oval.
This was not a bowling performance that any of the Zimbabwe players will want to remember. Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne, and ultimately Keshav Maharaj all contributed to the prolongation of the innings. Maharaj’s 51 was the cherry on the top. Not only did South Africa’s batters extend their lead, but they sent a message as well. After tea, Zimbabwe’s fielders looked exhausted.
537 and a Mountain to Climb
They chose to declare after piling up a total of 369 runs. Factor in the 418 they scored earlier, and it’s a textbook display of one-sided control. When Zimbabwe came to bat, they now needed to score 537 to win (or survive the other two days) and were already in trouble at 32 for 1. The way Kaitano nicked one to Bosch in the day’s dying moments said it all: South Africa in control, Zimbabwe scrambling.
Zimbabwe has three full sessions left to survive against a world-class bowling attack, and that is impossible. They will need to dig deep to summon more than just a spirit, but a miracle.
Wiaan Mulder’s 147 not only marked a personal achievement, but it also dealt a serious blow to Zimbabwe, which they are struggling to recover from. With just their pride to play for now and a chance for survival, the fourth day’s play looks like it will be a battle for survival. Can Zimbabwe bat through two days and stave off defeat against South Africa, or is this Test match headed for an inevitable conclusion? One thing is for certain – Mulder’s star has most definitely risen.
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