Wiaan Mulder became the third cricketer – and the first South African – to score a double century on Test captaincy debut. The right-handed batter reached the milestone on Day 1 of the second Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
The only other players to have achieved this feat are New Zealand’s Graham Dowling (against India in 1968) and West Indies’ Shivnarine Chanderpaul (against South Africa in 2005). Mulder captained the side in place of Keshav Maharaj, who was ruled out of the match due to a left groin injury.
ZIM vs SA, 2nd Test, Day 1 Highlights
Mulder also set the record for the highest individual score on Test captaincy debut, going past Dowling’s 239 against India in Christchurch.
Double hundreds on Test captaincy debut
Wiaan Mulder (264*) against Zimbabwe, Harare, 2025
Graham Dowling (239) against India, Christchurch, 1968
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (203*) against South Africa, Georgetown, 2005
Wiaan Mulder shines bright in Bulawayo
After being asked to bat first, South Africa found themselves in early trouble when Tanaka Chivanga claimed the key wicket of Tony de Zorzi, who managed just 10 runs off 30 balls. Coming in at No. 3, the pressure was on Wiaan Mulder, but he absorbed it well and went on to dominate the Zimbabwean bowlers.
Following de Zorzi’s departure, the Proteas also lost Lesego Senokwane, who scored 3 runs off 36 balls before Wellington Masakadza took his wicket.
Mulder then resurrected the innings with a 184-run partnership for the third wicket alongside David Bedingham. Chivanga took his second wicket by dismissing a well-set Bedingham, who made 82 runs off 101 balls, breaking the partnership.
Once Bedingham departed, Mulder joined hands with Lhuan-dre Pretorius to carry on the good work. Pretorius, who scored a hundred on Test debut earlier, looked fluent in his knock as the 19-year-old batter made 78 runs off 87 balls.
– Ends