Sean Williams Equals Zimbabwe Test Century Record as Maharaj’s Milestone Overshadows Hosts’ Resistance
Zimbabwe’s veteran batter Sean Williams produced a remarkable lone stand against a dominant South African attack, scoring a fluent 137 on day two of the opening Test at Queens Sports Club. His effort not only anchored Zimbabwe’s innings but also saw him equal the record for the second-most Test centuries for the country, joining legends Brendon Taylor and Grant Flower with six hundreds each. Only Andy Flower, with 12 Test tons, stands ahead.
Williams’ knock came in response to South Africa’s commanding first-innings declaration of 418/9. Walking in under pressure, the 38-year-old southpaw stitched a crucial 96-run partnership with captain Craig Ervine to stabilise Zimbabwe’s innings after early blows. Ervine’s departure for 36—tricked and stumped by Keshav Maharaj—left Williams to carry the burden alone.
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However, just when Williams looked poised to challenge his career-best, Maharaj returned to deliver a game-turning blow. The left-arm spinner, who had already achieved a personal milestone by becoming South Africa’s first spinner to claim 200 Test wickets, outfoxed Williams with flight and dip. Kyle Verreynne’s sharp stumping ended the Zimbabwean’s resistance at 137 off 164 balls.
Williams’ dismissal triggered a collapse, with Zimbabwe folding for 251 and conceding a 167-run lead. Maharaj finished with figures of 3/70, but his feat went beyond the numbers. The 35-year-old became only the ninth South African bowler to breach the 200-wicket mark in Tests, joining an elite pace-dominated list featuring Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock, and Allan Donald, among others.
Maharaj wasn’t the only bowler to impress. Wiaan Mulder’s probing spell of 4/50 helped clean up Zimbabwe’s middle and lower order, while debutant Codi Yusuf made an immediate impact with 3/42, rattling the top order.
South Africa’s response in their second innings was brisk despite the early loss of Matthew Breetzke for just 1. Tony de Zorzi and Mulder ensured momentum remained with the visitors, taking the score to 49/1 by stumps and extending their overall lead to 216 runs.
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