Standby skipper Wiaan Mulder said it was a dream come true to lead South Africa after they won the second and final Test of the series against Zimbabwe. The visitors defeated the hosts by an innings and 236 runs at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
He also demonstrated a willingness to give his all for the nation in whatever position and capacity he may play in the future, if the mainstay leaders and players return to the side.
Wiaan Mulder was satisfied that several players had contributed to the tourists’ overwhelming victory.
“Super special, something I dreamed about as a child. One of the most prestigious accolades a cricketer can receive is being named captain of the country. Extremely proud. I was frustrated with how I went out in the first Test; I felt great and took a risk, squandering a few more runs. Coming into this game, I did my best to let the outcome go and focus on what I could do in the moment. “It all came together,” Mulder said during the post-match presentation.
I just want to play whatever part the coach decides. I’ll do my best to perform. We’re going to the subcontinent from here; my role may change, but I just want to perform. A lot of men stepped up, including Codi (Yusuf) and (Prenelan) Subrayen, and everyone contributed in their own way, which is encouraging for South African cricket,” he continued.
The second test did not proceed as planned, leaving a lot of work to be done: Craig Ervine
Zimbabwe’s captain, Craig Ervine, believed that a combination of ill-timed luck in terms of players missing out, as well as a large number of players missing out on chances and starts, did not help his team’s case. He also hoped that the students would learn from a senior like Sean Williams.
“I thought there were a lot of positives we got from the first test, hoping to correct our faults, but the second test did not go as planned, leaving a lot of work to be done. It’s not easy for the group when you lose your premier opener, Brian Bennett, and Prince (Masvaure) gets the flu. Unfortunately, (Dion) Myers missed his chance.
“Guys obviously got an opportunity and got in, including myself. Sean Williams scored a lot in the first Test, and if you want to play well, you need huge hundreds. He’s a vital element of the batting line-up because of the way he advances the game and scores freely against spinners; he still has a few of years in his legs. I hope the younger players can learn from him,” the Chevrons’ skipper remarked.
To end his speech, he urged that his team learnt from how Mulder batted and from the areas in which the World Test Championship winners’ bowling unit delivered to walk away with an easy win at the end. He also updated on the injury status of Brian Bennett, saying he will be ready to play again very soon.
“There are a lot of lessons, the way the South African bowlers grouped, we can learn from that. From Wiaan Mulder, the tempo at which he batted, didn’t change too much, we can learn a fair bit. It’s time for us to show it out in the middle. Enough has been said, time to put it into action. (Brian) Bennett should be good to go soon,” concluded Ervine.
The two nations will now be involved along with New Zealand to take part in the Zimbabwe Twenty20 Tri-Series. The competition is slated to commence on Monday, July 14. All the matches will be played at the Harare Sports Club.
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