Matigimu Fined as Mulder Shatters Records in Test Against Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean right-arm seamer Kundai Matigimu was penalized with a 15% fine on his match fees for violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second Test against South Africa. The infraction occurred during the 72nd over of South Africa's first innings. Matigimu, after fielding the ball, threw it at batter Lhuan-de Pretorius, hitting him on the wrist at close range.

The incident led to a breach of Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which addresses throwing a ball or any other cricket equipment at or near a player in an inappropriate or dangerous manner during an International Match. Matigimu acknowledged his offense and accepted the sanction proposed by Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, thus avoiding a formal hearing.

In addition to the fine, one demerit point was added to Matigimu's disciplinary record. This marks his first offense within a 24-month period.

On the same day, South Africa's unexpected declaration left Wiaan Mulder 34 runs short of breaking Brian Lara's record of 400 runs in his captaincy debut during Day 2 of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Mulder excelled in the number three position, dominating Zimbabwe's bowling attack. He made Zimbabwe regret their decision to bowl first. He was unbeaten on 367(334) at lunch on the second day.

Mulder's performance included 49 boundaries and four sixes, the second-highest boundary count in a Test innings. He capitalized on Zimbabwe's tactics to achieve the fifth-highest individual score in Test cricket history and the highest since Mahela Jayawardene's 374 in 2006.

The 27-year-old became the first South African to score a triple-hundred in Test format since Hashim Amla's 311 in 2012. Mulder also became the first to hit a triple-ton in Tests in Zimbabwe, surpassing Kumar Sangakkara's 270 in 2004.

Mulder reached the three-hundred run mark in 297 deliveries, the second-fastest to do so after Virender Sehwag. Although he didn't surpass Sehwag's effort, Mulder reached 350 in 324 deliveries, the fastest any batter has managed in Test format, surpassing Matthew Hayden's previous record.

Mulder's innings ended with an unbeaten 367, the highest by a player in an away Test, surpassing Hanif Mohammad's 337 in 1958. Mulder also holds the highest aggregate by a South African batter in a Test, exceeding Graeme Smith's 362. He also has the highest individual score for the Proteas.