Pretorius, Bosch score tons | Day 1 | 1st Test | Zimbabwe vs South Africa

Centuries from Lhuan-Dre Pretorius and Corbin Bosch saw South Africa end Day 1 on 418-9 against Zimbabwe in the 1st Test.

South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first in the first Test in Bulawayo. 

The pitch was bouncy and there was plenty of pace in the wicket for the Zimbabwe pace bowlers. 

They utilised that brilliantly. They struck early. Four balls into the first over, Tony de Zorzi was dropped in the slips after pushing at a shorter ball angling in from Muzarabani. He repeated this decision against Chivanga a couple of overs later, the catch this time was taken after he faced 16 balls for a duck. 

Matthew Breetzke and Wiaan Mulder tried to relieve some of the pressure of the early wicket, and there promising signs. 

But Zimbabwe remained relentless with their short balls. Chivanga struck again. This time, finding steep bounce. Breetzke (13) pushed at it with hard hands, and it flew off the shoulder of the bat, and straight into the hands of the fielder at third slip. SA were now in trouble on 21-2. 

Chivanga struck again, SA were now 23-3, Bedingham standing up straight and nicking outside off to first slip. 

Lhuandre-dre Pretorius took 2 balls to get off the mark in his first game of Test cricket. He took four balls to hit his first maximum.

This helped Mulder to also settle at the crease. 

The pair brought up 50 for SA by the end of the 22nd over. 

An unnecessary run out saw Mulder out for 17. 

Dewald Brevis brought up his first Test boundary after 10 deliveries, a beautifully caressed drive through the covers. 

SA went into lunch on 90-4. Pretorius on 44*, Brevis on 10*. 

The Proteas brought up the 100 shortly after lunch, both batters continuing to tick the scoreboard over. 

Pretorius brought up a debut half-century in 53 balls, a brilliant mature knock by the youngster. 

Brevis hit a six off the spinner Masekesa, to bring up a 50 partnership, which was desperately needed for South Africa. 

He continued his positive approach, bringing up his half-century with a maximum in 38 balls. An incredible effort from the youngster. 

He took his score to 51 off 41 balls (3 fours 4 sixes), taking South Africa to 150, but he attempted a pull shot off Muzarabani and cue-ended it to mid-off. 

Kyle Verreynne was the next wicket to fall for 10, with South Africa reduced to 181-6. 

Pretorius brought up his century in 112 balls, becoming the 7th South African to do so and the youngest Protea to do it at 19. 

Corbin Bosch was crucial as well with his contribution. 

SA went into Tea on 248/6. 

After the break, the pair continued to haunt Zimbabwe. Pretorius brought up a 100-run partnership with a beautiful wristy drive and his 150 off 158 balls. 

He took SA to 289 when he lost his wicket, after scoring 153 off 160 balls (11 fours, 4 sixes). 

Bosch continued to play his part. He helped SA pass the 300-run mark and brought up his second Test half-century. 

South Africa continued to find a way to score runs. 

Maharaj added 21 before losing his wicket, SA bringing up 330. 

Then Codi Yusuf joined Bosch and they took SA to 389-8, before he guided the ball to third man. He contributed 27 to a 59-run stand. 

Bosch tried to farm the strike to get his maiden century, he hit a four straight down the ground to take SA past 400. 

He was dropped by the keeper on 97 and managed to take two runs to take him to 99. 

He brought up a maiden 100 the next delivery, in only his second Test match, a brilliant knock by the all-rounder. This was also his first-ever first-class 100. 

Maphaka ended the Day’s play with a pull shot for 4. 

South Africa ended the day on 418.