On this day in 2017 – South Africa win four-day day-night Test in just 2 days

South Africa won the first-ever four-day day-night Test in just two days against Zimbabwe in the year 2017 on December 27. The Zimbabwe team was on a tour of South Africa, and the Test between the two nations got staged in Port Elizabeth. Proteas looked in clear mind to wrap up their show as early as possible, and they remained successful enough to win the Test in just two days.

South African domination

While batting first, South Africa declared on 309 runs after losing their nine wickets. Aiden Markram’s stunning ton (125) in the innings became the very basis of their solid score, and he was also named as the player of the match. He was supported well in time by Mr 360 AB de Villiers and Temba Bavuma, who amassed 53 and 44 runs, respectively, in the same innings.

Kyle Jarvis and Chris Mpofu had three wickets each under their belt when they came up with the ball. When the guests batted, Morne Morkel completely dismantled their opening and middle order while adding a five-wicket-haul to his credit. Zimbabwe fell for just 68 runs, and Kyle Jarvis’ score of 23 runs remained the highest individual score from the visitors’ end.

Morne Morkel’s 5/21 has helped South Africa bowl Zimbabwe all out for 68. AB de Villiers opts to enforce the follow on.

LIVE: https://t.co/jxyBuyufHV #SAvZIM pic.twitter.com/UGkZuaLEgk

— ICC (@ICC) December 27, 2017

On being asked to follow on, Zimbabwe’s dismal run continued, and this time, their innings ended on 121 runs. Again the score of 23 runs turned out to be the individual highest from their lot, and this time, it came from Craig Ervine’s bat. Talking about the bowling of hosts, this time the destruction was caused by Keshav Maharaj’s spell. He sent five of them back to steal the limelight.

Andile Phehlukwayo named three wickets to his credit in the same innings. South Africa won the match by an innings and 120 runs. The match, which was supposed to last four days, lasted only four sessions, which had 907 balls. It became the third shortest Test match since World War II, excluding the contrived events that happened in the 2000 Centurion Test. It also became the first two-day finish since 2005. The last team to win the Test in two days was New Zealand and Zimbabwe were on the receiving end.