SA Vs ZIM 2nd Test Day 1 Report: Wiaan Mulder Smashes 264 Runs As Proteas Dominate Zimbabwe In Bulawayo

Wiaan Mulder produced the biggest score by any first-time captain in red-ball cricket history as South Africa dominated Zimbabwe on the opening day of the second Test.

The Proteas, who eased to a 328-run victory in the first of two matches in Bulawayo, reached 465-4 by stumps on Sunday with Mulder contributing more than half that total.

Mulder was named captain for the match after Keshav Maharaj – who himself was standing in for the injured Temba Bavuma – suffered a groin strain during the first Test.

And he marked his first match at the helm with a stunning knock, batting at number three following the early losses of Tony de Zorzi (10) and Lesego Senokwane (three).

Mulder built a 184-run partnership with David Bedingham for the tourists' third wicket, with the latter scoring 82 before being trapped lbw by Tanaka Chivanga.

But an even better stand alongside Lhuan-dre Pretorius, this one worth 217 runs, followed, with the youngster eventually picking a poor shot off Kundai Matigimu's delivery as he was caught by Wellington Masakadza for 78.

While Bedingham and Pretorius fell short of their centuries, Mulder surged to the 250 mark after appearing to be bowled by Chivanga on 247 runs, only to be reprieved by a no-ball call.

Mulder reached stumps unbeaten on 264 off 259 balls with his team in total control, and he could become just the 29th batsman to score a triple century in Test cricket on Monday.

The all-time record score in red-ball cricket remains a tall order, though, with West Indies great Brian Lara scoring 400 not out against England in 2004.

Data Debrief: Mulder's captaincy landmark

Though Mulder may be hard pushed to overhaul Lara, his knock is already the best by any player in their first Test as captain of their country.

That record previously belonged to Graham Dowling, who scored 239 versus India on his first outing as New Zealand skipper in February 1968.

Only one other batsman has scored a double century while captaining their country for the first time, with West Indies' Shivnarine Chanderpaul managing an unbeaten 203 versus South Africa in 2005.