Zimbabwe pacer Kundai Matigimu has been fined 15% of his match fees for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the opening day of the second Test against South Africa in Bulawayo. The incident happened in the 72nd over of South Africa’s first innings when Matigimu, after fielding the ball in his follow-through, threw it at batter Lhuan-de Pretorius and hit him on the wrist at close range.

Matigimu was found guilty of breaching Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. This article relates to “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment) at or near a player in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match.” The player admitted the offense and accepted the sanction proposed by Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, avoiding the need for a formal hearing.

In addition to the fine, one demerit point has been added to Matigimu’s disciplinary record. This is his first offense within a 24-month period. The ICC emphasized that such behavior, while not necessarily malicious, is taken seriously in the interest of player safety and the spirit of the game.

Mulder’s Record-Breaking Knock Lights Up Bulawayo

While the incident drew attention, the real highlight of the match was South Africa’s stand-in skipper Wiaan Mulder, who scored an unbeaten 367 off just 334 deliveries—now the highest-ever individual Test score by a South African cricketer. His marathon innings included 49 fours and 4 sixes and saw the Proteas to a massive first innings score.

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Mulder came in after two early wickets. He and David Bedingham steadied the innings and took South Africa to a strong position. His effort now stands as the fifth-highest individual score in Men’s Test history, behind only Brian Lara, Matthew Hayden, and Mahela Jayawardene. South Africa, already leading 1–0 in the series after a commanding 328-run win in the first Test, are in firm control as they push for a series sweep in Bulawayo.