On October 29, South African batsmen Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, and Wiaan Mulder all scored their maiden Test centuries during a match against Bangladesh in Chattogram. This achievement is remarkable as it is only the second time in the history of Test cricket that three players have recorded their first centuries in one innings. De Zorzi topped the score with 177, and Mulder concluded with 105 not out, contributing to South Africa’s impressive total of 575 for six at the close of the second day.
In an extraordinary display of performance, South African batsmen Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, and Wiaan Mulder all achieved their inaugural Test centuries during the first innings against Bangladesh in Chattogram, marking a significant milestone as it is only the second occurrence in the long history of Test cricket. On October 29, the opening day of the second Test match between Bangladesh and South Africa, Captain Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to bat first. Although Markram himself managed only 33 runs, the subsequent partnership between de Zorzi and Stubbs proved pivotal, yielding 201 runs for the second wicket before Stubbs was dismissed for 106. At the conclusion of day one, South Africa stood at a formidable 307 for two, with de Zorzi remaining unbeaten at 141 runs. As day two commenced, de Zorzi advanced his tally to 177 runs before he was dismissed lbw by Taijul Islam, leading to a swift decline in South Africa’s innings from 386 for two to 423 for six. Nevertheless, Wiaan Mulder and Senuran Muthusamy combined forces, securing a substantial seventh-wicket partnership of 152 runs that allowed South Africa to declare at an impressive total of 575 for six, with Mulder concluding his innings not out at 105 runs. By the end of the second day, Bangladesh found themselves in a precarious position at 38 for four. Remarkably, the simultaneous achievement of maiden Test centuries by Stubbs, de Zorzi, and Mulder within a single innings is an event of rare occurrence in cricket history, previously seen only once before in November 1948 when West Indies faced India, with four players achieving their maiden centuries in a single innings. To date, there have been 50 instances of two players securing their maiden Test centuries within the same innings, with the most recent occurrence involving Ireland’s Paul Stirling and Curtis Campher in April 2023 against Sri Lanka.
This historic achievement highlights a singular moment in Test cricket, where three players from the same team score their first Test century in a single innings, an occurrence marked by only one prior instance in over 140 years of the sport. This event showcases not only the players’ individual talents but also the strength and unity of the South African batting lineup during this Test series against Bangladesh. The significance of such performances is amplified by the rarity of the occurrence, drawing parallels to the past, particularly the 1948 match in Delhi, where similar feats were accomplished. The context of such milestones underlines the importance of nurturing young talent within international cricket, which continually seeks to balance experience with fresh skill.
In conclusion, the remarkable achievement of Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, and Wiaan Mulder in scoring their maiden Test centuries in the same innings during South Africa’s match against Bangladesh is a historical highlight in cricket. This event not only underscores the players’ remarkable talents but also marks a significant milestone in the annals of Test cricket, reinforcing the excitement and unpredictability of the sport. As South Africa continues to compete, this performance will be remembered as a testament to the team’s depth and rising talent.
Original Source: www.wisden.com
