Young seamer Tristan Luus led an excellent all-round bowling display to help South Africa Emerging make a strong start in the first unofficial Test against Zimbabwe Emerging at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo that started on Thursday.
The 19-year-old, who was making his first-class debut, claimed 4/34 in 16 overs as the hosts were dismissed for 216, before the tourists replied by reaching the close on 51 without loss – trailing by 165.
Luus, a star for the SA Under-19s, was helped by the more experienced Codi Yusuf (3/35) and Dian Forrester (2/24), ensuring the away side made a positive start to the trip, which also includes a second four-day Test as well as three one-dayers over the next 17 days.
The home captain Takudzwanashe Kaitano won the toss against South African counterpart Mihlali Mpongwana at the start but saw his side slip into early trouble after an impressive start by rookie Luus.
After Yusuf removed the skipper for one, the teenager took out the other opener Nicholas Welch and No 3 Larvet Masunda, both for two, leaving Zimbabwe on 12/3 in the eighth over.
Luus then had Nyasha Mayavo caught in the slips for his third wicket as the slide continued, before the wicket of Antum Naqvi (18) at the hands of Forrester left the home side in a dire 31/5 inside the opening morning.
But a sixth-wicket century stand between the seasoned Brandon Mavuta (52 off 115 balls, 5x4) and Alistair Frost (50 off 136 balls, 6x4) helped their side hit back.
More fighting play followed thanks to another half-century by top-scorer Ernest Masuku (56 off 86 balls, 4x4, 4x6), though the Zimbabweans were still bowled out three deliveries shy of 70 overs.
That left South Africa with nearly a session to bat. But only 13 overs were sent down and openers Modiri Litheko (15*) and Lesego Senokwane (29*) did well to negotiate them without any loss as they reached the close with their side in a strong position by the close.
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