Tristan Luus Shines as South Africa Emerging Dominate Zimbabwe Emerging

Young pacer Tristan Luus spearheaded a superb all-round bowling effort to give South Africa Emerging a strong start in the first unofficial Test against Zimbabwe Emerging at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, which began on Thursday. Making his first-class debut, the 19-year-old claimed four wickets for 34 runs in 16 overs, helping to dismiss the hosts for 216. By the end of the day, the visitors had reached 51 without loss, trailing by 165 runs.

Luus, a standout for the South Africa Under-19 team, received valuable support from the more seasoned Codi Yusuf (3/35) and Dian Forrester (2/24), setting a positive tone for the tour, which also includes a second four-day Test and three one-day matches over the next 17 days.

Zimbabwe's captain, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, won the toss and opted to bat first against South African counterpart Mihlali Mpongwana. However, Kaitano's side quickly found themselves in trouble, thanks to an impressive opening spell from the rookie Luus.

After Yusuf dismissed the skipper for one run, Luus removed the other opener, Nicholas Welch, and number three, Larvet Masunda, both for two runs, leaving Zimbabwe at 12 for three in the eighth over. Luus continued his onslaught by having Nyasha Mayavo caught in the slips for his third wicket. Forrester then took the wicket of Antum Naqvi (18), reducing the hosts to a precarious 31 for five in the first session.

A sixth-wicket partnership between veterans Brandon Mavuta (52 off 115 balls, 5 fours) and Alistair Frost (50 off 136 balls, 6 fours) offered some resistance and helped their side recover. Top-scorer Ernest Masuku (56 off 86 balls, 4 fours, 4 sixes) added another half-century, but Zimbabwe were still bowled out just three deliveries short of 70 overs.

South Africa had nearly a session to bat, and openers Modiri Litheko (15) and Lesego Senokwane (29) safely navigated 13 overs without losing a wicket, putting their team in a strong position by the close of play.

South Africa Emerging Squad Against Zimbabwe

- Mihlali Mpongwana (captain, Western Province)

- Jade de Klerk (Border)

- Dian Forrester (Free State)

- Valentine Kitime (Western Province)

- Modiri Litheko (Titans)

- Tristan Luus (Dolphins)

- Dewan Marais (Easterns)

- Andile Mogakane (Warriors)

- Nipho Mpungose (Free State)

- Caleb Seleka (North West)

- Lesego Senokwane (North West)

- Andile Simelane (Dolphins)

- Codi Yusuf (Lions)

- Ntando Zuma (KZN Inland)

 Tour Itinerary

Four-Day Matches

- 01 - 04 August: Zimbabwe Emerging vs SA Emerging Men - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

- 07 - 10 August: Zimbabwe Emerging vs SA Emerging Men - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

One-Day Matches

- Tuesday, 13 August: Zimbabwe Emerging vs SA Emerging Men - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

- Thursday, 15 August: Zimbabwe Emerging vs SA Emerging Men - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

- Saturday, 17 August: Zimbabwe Emerging vs SA Emerging Men - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo