PORT ELIZABETH – South Africa took giant strides towards victory in the inaugural day-night Test against Zimbabwe at St George’s Park on Wednesday by routing the visitors for just 68.
Morne Morkel was the chief destroyer, with the lanky fast bowler continuing where he left off on Tuesday evening by claiming a further two wickets to finish with the hugely impressive figures of 5/21. It was Morkel’s first “five-for” since 2012 against Australia in Adelaide.
Kagiso Rabada and Andile Phehlukwayo both two wickets for 12 runs respectively too.
Zimbabwe’s plight was illustrated by the fact that night-watchman Kyle Jarvis top-scored for the visitors with 23. Along with Ryan Burl (16), they were the only two Zimbabwean batsmen to reach double figures.
Proteas stand-in captain AB de Villiers had no hesitation in enforcing the follow-on with South Africa 241 runs ahead.
Zimbabwe’s second innings started in much better fashion with Hamilton Masikadza avoiding a golden pair by clipping Morkel through mid-wicket for a boundary in the first over.
However, Masikadza was forced to leave the field a few overs later when a rising delivery from Morkel smashed into the right-hander’s elbow.
Zimbabwe managed to get through the tea interval without any further scares with Chamu Chibhabha and Craig Ervine taking the tourists to 36/0 at the break.
De Villiers also remained behind the stumps for South Africa due to Quinton de Kock being ruled out of the remainder of the Test match due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain while batting on Monday.
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