Craig Ervine etches his name in history books with masterful century in Bulawayo

Craig Ervine etches his name in history books with masterful century in Bulawayo

New Delhi: Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine etched his name in the history books with a masterful century in the first Test match against Afghanistan in Bulawayo. On the second day of an eventful first innings for the hosts, skipper Ervine became the third oldest player to smash a Test century in the 21st century.

During the Boxing Day Test match against the Afghans, Ervine hit his fourth Test century at the age of 39 years and 130 days, becoming the third player after Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq and West Indies great batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul to score a Test hundred in the 21st century. Misbah even has a record of smashing more hundreds after crossing 40 years of age.

Sean Williams also makes to the elite list

Apart from Ervine, another batter Sean Williams made it to the elite list with his powerful knock of 154 runs which propelled the hosts to a gigantic first innings score of 586 runs. Williams got to his hundred at his current age of  38 years and 92 days. The oldest player ever to score a Test hundred is Englishman Jack Hobbs, who made 142 against Australia at the age of 46 years and 82 days.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe had not only two but three centurions in an innings which completely destroyed the visitors. Brian Bennett, who played an unbeaten knock of 110 runs, was the third century-maker for Zimbabwe in the Test match as they positioned themselves dominantly in the game. Ben Curran and Takudzwanashe Kaitano were the other contributors for the hosts with scores of 68 and 46.

With just a session left in the day’s play, Afghanistan would aim to play to their best abilities and try not losing any wickets while the hosts on the other hand would aim to scalp a few before stumps are called. Afghanistan were superb in the white-ball series as they claimed victories in both the ODIs and T20Is and Zimbabwe would be aiming to make a mark in the two-match Test series.

 Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine etched his name in the history books with a masterful century in the first Test match against Afghanistan in Bulawayo.  Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today