Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dewald Brevis were unable to repeat their first-innings heroics in Bulawayo on Test debut, being bowled cheaply by Zimbabwe leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa.
Highly rated talents, Brevis and Pretorius made their Test debuts in the first game of the two-match series against Zimbabwe in what is an experimental South African side with several first-choice players rested.
Also read: Triple-threat batter at 19, Lhuan-dre Pretorius has the cricketing world at his feet
After suffering a mini-collapse that saw them 21-3 on the first day, Pretorius and Brevis not only steadied the South African ship but took the attack to the opposition in their first outing in Test whites. They added 95 runs off just 86 balls, with Brevis scoring 51 off 41. Pretorius went on to make a record hundred, finishing on 153 off just 160. South Arica made 418-9 and then bowled Zimbabwe out for 251.
In their second innings however, Brevis and Pretorius weren't able to replicate their earlier heroics. Coming in to bat a much more comfortable 136-3, Pretorius was beaten by a ragging leg-break by Masekesa that turned in from way outside off stump. Pretorius shaped up to play it through the off-side, but the sharp turn saw the ball slip through and crash into his stumps, cutting his innings short to just four runs.
Brevis replaced Pretorius at No.6, but his stay didn't last long either. Masekesa tossed one up on leg stump four overs after Pretorius' dismissal. Brevis took the bait and went for a big heave through the leg side, completely missing the ball and getting bowled for three.
Like Brevis and Pretorius, Masekesa is new to Test cricket as well, although he's not as young. The 28-year-old is playing his second Test, having picked up a five-for on debut in Bangladesh earlier this year.
At the time of writing, South Africa were 185-5, leading by 352 runs.
1st Test, Zimbabwe vs South Africa
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