Despite a battling half-century from opener Nick Welch and a gritty 49 by captain Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe went down to defeat by an innings and 236 runs at the hands of South Africa on the third day of the second Test at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Tuesday.
Resuming on 51 for one, the hosts were still 405 runs adrift and facing a monumental task to avoid an innings defeat.
Takudzwanashe Kaitano, who had started the day on 34, managed just six more runs before chipping a catch to cover off the spin of Senuran Muthusamy, leaving Zimbabwe 64 for two.
Sean Williams came in but could not replicate his first-innings heroics.
Having reached 11, the veteran left-hander was bowled by a low delivery from Wiaan Mulder that nipped through and crashed into off stump.
At 103 for three, Zimbabwe were tottering.
A period of resistance followed as Ervine joined Welch at the crease.
The pair dug in, with Ervine gradually finding his rhythm.
He signalled his intent by driving Muthusamy for two crisp boundaries in three balls, and the stand began to offer Zimbabwe some hope.
Welch brought up his second Test fifty off 104 deliveries just before lunch, as the hosts reached the break at 143 for three, with Welch on 53 and Ervine on 21.
But the afternoon brought more heartbreak.
Welch was the first to fall after the interval, edging Muthusamy to slip for a well-made 55.
Wessly Madhevere followed soon after for just five, trapped lbw by seamer Codi Yusuf, while Tafadzwa Tsiga (1) chipped a catch to midwicket off the same bowler to leave Zimbabwe reeling at 177 for six.
Ervine appeared on course for a deserved fifty, but fell agonisingly short on 49.
Chasing a delivery outside off from Corbin Bosch, he edged behind after facing 95 balls and striking six boundaries.
Three balls later, Bosch struck again, uprooting Kundai Matigimu’s off stump and then having Blessing Muzarabani caught at slip to put South Africa on the brink of victory.
Tailender Tanaka Chivanga offered brief entertainment with a flurry of big hits, smashing three fours and a six in a spirited cameo.
His aggression appeared to inspire Wellington Masakadza, who had been dogged in defence and finished unbeaten on 17.
But the resistance ended when Chivanga was caught attempting a sweep, after making 22 off 26 balls, as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 220.
Bosch finished with impressive figures of four for 38, while Muthusamy claimed three for 77 to wrap up a dominant South African bowling display.
The victory gave the visitors a 2-0 sweep of the series.
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