Zimbabwe vs South Africa, 1st Test Day 1 Highlights: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Corbin Bosch Tons Steer SA To 418/9 After Zim Bowlers Shine

All in readiness for the action to commence on Day 2. The umpires and the players make their way out to the middle. With South Africa declaring on their overnight score, out walk the two openers for Zimbabwe. Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Brian Bennett walk out to the crease. And it will be the debutant, Codi Yusuf, to get things underway with the new ball for South Africa. Three slips and a gully in place for Yusuf. Bennett to face. Off we go...

... SECOND INNINGS ...

PITCH REPORT - Ed Rainsford and Shaun Pollock are out in the middle to assess the Day 2 pitch at the Queens Sports Club. Pollock says that the batters should lift their heads to leave the balls given that extra bit of bounce. He also says that there was nothing that kept low and calls it a new ball surface. Reckons that the first 15-20 overs will be difficult to bat on, but also stresses that the length on which the bowlers bowl will be the key. Also points out that the bowlers will have to make the batters drag their front foot out. Observes that some divots have been made and that will get more and more as the match goes on. Ends by saying that there will be plenty for the bowlers to work with.

Though Zimbabwe clawed back with a double strike to dent the Proteas at 181/6, Pretorius' counterattack gained momentum and, paired with Bosch’s determined ton, put the pressure right back. With handy lower order contributions from Keshav Maharaj and Codi Yusuf bolstering the total, South Africa eventually declared on their overnight score, closing Day 1 with the scoreboard and momentum tilted in their favour.

Well, quite interesting. Shaun Pollock on air mentioned that South Africa have DECLARED their innings on their overnight score of 418/9. It was a recovery and a half from them after their top order being blown away. Zimbabwe came out firing with the new ball, as the seam duo of Muzarabani and Chivanga exploited the lively pitch to reduce South Africa to a shaky 55/4. Chivanga, in particular, was relentless in dismantling the top order. But just when a deeper collapse seemed imminent, debutants Pretorius and Brevis dug in with a gritty 95-run stand that helped steady the ship through the middle session.

It is now time to hear from Zimbabwe's Tanaka Chivanga. He says that it was a good pitch to bowl on in the morning on the first day. Adds that it was quite soft underneath, but they bowled well initially. Highlights that the plan was simple as to hit that 6-meter length, run hard, and bowl in the right areas. He is hopeful of getting a fifer. Mentions that everyone is feeling good in the dressing room, and they'll look to get the remaining one wicket. Is also hopeful that the batters will go out there and do their job.

South Africa's Corbin Bosch is up for a flash interview. He says it was a great feeling to score his maiden Test century. Adds that the youngsters played really well as Brevis and Pretorius took on the bowlers when they were under pressure. They showcased their talents yesterday. Mentions that there's not too much chatter in the dressing room. Points that there was definitely a lot in the wicket as there was some bounce towards the end yesterday. Concludes that they'll look to get to 450 and have some fun in the middle this morning.

As we look ahead to Day 2, Zimbabwe will hope the early morning juice in the pitch plays to their strengths and helps them knock over the last wicket instantly. But while they’ll be eager to put bat on ball, they will also need to tread carefully. This South African bowling unit may wear the 'second string' tag, but there’s no shortage of talent and hunger. Either way, another riveting day of this Test is about to unfold. Settle in as the first ball of Day 2 is just around the corner.

Zimbabwe’s dice roll with a spin-heavy attack didn’t quite come up sevens. Going in with three tweakers and just a pair of pacers turned out to be a misfire, as the South African batters negotiated the spin with consummate ease. Only three maidens came from the 54 overs of spin. In sharp contrast, the pace pair looked far more menacing, claiming six wickets between them, with Tanaka Chivanga leading the charge with four. The decision to underuse their seamers, even with a second new ball in hand, only deepened the frustration. A dropped sitter in the dying stages? That was just salt in the wound, summing up a ragged day in the field.

This Test has been an absolute debut bonanza. 19-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius walked in at 22/3 and smashed his way to becoming South Africa’s youngest Test centurion. Sure, Zimbabwe dropped him a couple of times, and he also survived a few close calls, but he grabbed those chances with both hands. Fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, too, chipped in with a confident fifty, and just when Zimbabwe thought they might claw back into the contest, Corbin Bosch decided to join the party with his maiden Test hundred, pushing South Africa past 400. This left Zimbabwe scratching their heads, wondering how they let this one slip away as the Protean tail wagged.

It was indeed a comeback of all sorts from South Africa. From having their backs against the wall by being reduced to 55/4, the Proteas crawled to score 90 in the first session. However, following that, they went into overdrive mode, scoring more than a run-a-ball in both afternoon and evening sessions. Over the next 42 overs, they scored 328 runs and dragged the sting out of the Zimbabwean bowling attack.

Here we are for Day 2, and this opening Test is already living up to its billing. Zimbabwe looked like they had South Africa exactly where they wanted them in the morning session, bowling with real purpose and control, but then the visitors found another gear entirely and completely flipped the match on its head. It’s fascinating how quickly things can change in this format, as in one session you’re on top, and the next you’re scrambling to find answers. South Africa edged the day 2-1 in terms of the session wins, but Zimbabwe’s early dominance showed they’re more than capable. On that note, hello and a chilly welcome from Bulawayo.

... DAY 2, FIRST SESSION ...

Right then, South Africa are in a commanding position at the end of the opening day, and when they return, they will look to stretch the total even further. As for Zimbabwe, their immediate focus will be on wrapping up the final wicket quickly before getting on with the bat. When they do come out to bat, they will be mindful of how challenging the initial phase was, particularly during the morning session. However, as the day progressed and the ball softened, conditions became favourable for batting. That said, South Africa have a four-pronged pace attack, while Zimbabwe went in with just two seamers and could not quite exploit the conditions. The first ball on Day 2 will be bowled at 8 am GMT, and we will be here nice and early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius is up for a quick chat with the broadcasters. On being asked about his debut, he mentions that he is fortunate to get it quickly. Shares that he got a call for his debut a week ago, and after that, he hit a few net sessions to come into this game. He then admits to feeling a bit nervous when he walked in at 22/3 but describes his innings as truly special. He says it still hasn’t sunk in and shares that they deliberately took on the spinners as Zimbabwe bowled them in tandem. He emphasizes his focus on spending as much time at the crease as possible and calls it a dream come true, especially with his parents watching from the stands.

Even after removing Pretorius, the hosts struggled to clean up the tail. A dropped catch when Corbin Bosch was on 2 proved costly, and with the second new ball in hand, there was still hope they could finish things off but it wasn’t to be. Bosch marshalled the tail brilliantly, piling on the misery for Zimbabwe and reaching his maiden Test century in the final over of the day.

Pretorius joined forces with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis to shift the momentum with a counter-attacking 95-run partnership, as the duo punished anything loose. There was a minor stutter with the loss of a couple of quick wickets, but Pretorius remained composed and stitched together another valuable stand with Corbin Bosch. Pretorius went on to become the youngest South African to score a century in Test cricket. However, he had his share of luck along the way, surviving a caught-behind appeal and an LBW decision, both of which went in his favour. With no DRS in place for this series, Zimbabwe were left wondering what could have been.

Zimbabwe lost the toss but dominated the early exchanges with the ball. Blessing Muzarabani set the tone with a probing opening spell, but it was his fellow seamer, Tanaka Chivanga, who made the breakthroughs. Exploiting the steep bounce and seam movement on offer, Tanaka ripped through the top order to leave the visitors reeling at 23/3 in the first session. The tourists slipped further to 55/4 after a run-out, before Lhuan-dre Pretorius stepped up to lead the fightback.

SESSION SUMMARY - 170 runs, 31 overs and 3 wickets. South Africa take the opening day honours! While the first session belonged to Zimbabwe, the tourists completely dominated the afternoon and evening sessions. As a result, it’s Keshav Maharaj and his men who will head back as the happier of the two sides. The latter part of the day could hardly have gone worse for the hosts, and they will be disappointed with how the advantage slipped away.

SIX! That is some way to end the day's play! Another short-pitched delivery, from around the stumps, on off and middle. Kwena Maphaka reads the length early and pulls it aerially over deep square leg for a six. That was hit with proper timing as well. An action-packed last over, and that will be STUMPS ON DAY 1!