Day 3 of the first Test between Zimbabwe and South Africa at Queens Sports Club witnessed a moment of pure cricketing magic, as young Zimbabwean spinner Vincent Masekesa delivered a sensational delivery to dismiss centurion Lhuan-dre Pretorius, bamboozling the South African opener with an absolute ripper. The wicket, coming just before lunch, provided a much-needed lift for the Chevrons as they sought to rein in South Africa’s formidable lead.
Vincent Masekesa bowls an unplayable delivery to dismiss Lhuan-dre Pretorius
The dramatic moment unfolded in the 33rd over of South Africa’s second innings. Pretorius, who had been the linchpin of South Africa’s first innings with a magnificent century, was at the crease, attempting to build another substantial knock. However, Masekesa, with his deceptive flight and turn, had other plans. On the fifth ball of the over, Masekesa tossed up a delivery that pitched on a full length, inviting Pretorius to play a stroke. The South African batter, perhaps expecting less turn or misreading the line, shaped up for a cut shot.
What followed was a masterclass in spin bowling. The ball, gripping the Bulawayo surface, turned sharply, much more than Pretorius had anticipated. It darted inwards, finding the significant gap between his bat and pad with surgical precision. Before Pretorius could adjust, the ball had already rattled the stumps, sending the bails flying. The sight of the disturbed timber, and Pretorius’s utterly bewildered expression, perfectly encapsulated the brilliance of Masekesa’s delivery. It was a classic leg-spinner’s dismissal, showcasing the young bowler’s ability to extract significant turn and deceive the batter.
Pretorius, who had scored only 4 runs from 6 balls in his second outing, was left bemused, a stark contrast to his dominant first-innings performance. His dismissal marked the fourth wicket to fall in South Africa’s second innings, injecting a fresh wave of energy and hope into the Zimbabwean camp. The home side, having toiled hard, suddenly found themselves with an opportunity to penetrate further into the Proteas’ batting line-up.
Here’s the video:
What a ripper 🔥
Masekesa bowls an absolute peach to get rid of Lhuan-dre Pretorius 😮#ZIMvsSA pic.twitter.com/qe9C5FwpmK
— FanCode (@FanCode) June 30, 2025
Also READ: From Lhuan-dre Pretorius to AB de Villiers – Youngest South African players to hit centuries in Test cricket
South Africa’s dominance and hope for Zimbabwe
At the subsequent lunch break on Day 3, South Africa stood at 185 for 5 wickets after 43 overs of play. Despite the loss of Pretorius, the visitors maintained a commanding position, holding a massive lead of 352 runs. The bulk of South Africa’s commanding total was anchored by a defiant Wiaan Mulder, who was unbeaten on a superb 104, having reached his century with a display of patient yet assertive batting. He was joined at the crease by Kyle Verreynne, who was on 5, looking to support Mulder in extending the lead even further.
Also READ: Faf du Plessis smashes multiple records with a blazing century in MLC 2025, equals Rohit Sharma and overtakes Babar Azam
Source link
