Jade de Klerk claimed five wickets to bowl South Africa Emerging to an innings victory on the final day of the first unofficial Test against Zimbabwe Emerging at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Sunday (5/8).

The slow left-armer ended with figures of five for 57 in 27 overs as the hosts were bundled out for 184 in their second innings – sealing the result before lunch on day four.

The South Africans batted just once in the game amassing 586 for six declared either side of the home side being dismissed, the first time for 216, as visitors won by an innings and 186 runs to move 1-0 ahead in the two-match series.

‘The key overnight man fell just three runs into the day’

Zimbabwe began the day on 123 for four thanks to some fight from Alistair Frost, but the key overnight man fell just three runs into the day for 36 when he edged Dian Forrester (1/31) to wicketkeeper Ntando Zuma in the sixth over of play.

Arinesto Vezha lasted 53 balls for his six runs before perishing with Brandon Mavuta (0) in the same De Klerk over. That left the hosts on 137 for seven, with strong resistance then put up by Ernest Masuku (16) and Larvet Masunda (29).

However, they fell within the space of two deliveries as Lesego Senokwane (2/10) and De Klerk cleaned up the tail to leave the Zimbabweans all out in 80.2 overs.

The second unofficial test between the sides will take place at the same venue starting on Wednesday.

OFM Nuus mvh