Who is Wiaan Mulder? South African all-rounder opening the bowling instead of Lungi Ngidi

South African bowlers decimated Bangladesh on the opening day of the Mirpur Test on Monday. The home team were bowled out for a mere 106 in just 40.1 overs. Wiaan Mulder was given the new ball as he opened the bowling instead of Lungi Ngidi. For his part, Mulder did well as he bowled 8 overs with 4 maiden overs and picked 3 wickets for 22 runs. 

It was a brave move by stand-in skipper Aiden Markram to give Mulder the new ball. South Africa reaped huge benefits from the move as the 26-year-old medium pacer broke the back of Bangladeshi batting early. Wiaan Mulder’s nagging bowling helped the visitors dismiss Shadman Islam in the 2nd over of the day for a duck. 

By the time Bangladesh had played 6 overs they had lost 3 wickets and scored just 21 runs. Mominul Haque who had scored a century in the last game against India was all at sea against the South African pacers. In the end, the misery was complete just after the lunch session as the visitors had shown how clinical they can be. 

With the early movement aiding the bowler, Mulder had Mominul Haque edge the ball to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. The next scalp was the biggest as it was skipper Najmul Shanto who was looking aggressive. Mulder went round the wicket and bowled the ball on a fuller length as Shanto gave Keshav Maharaj an easy catch. 

Wiaan Mulder: From utility star to opening bowler

South Africa is known as the land of fast bowlers with names like Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Brett Schultz to name a few. Lungi Ngidi with 55 wickets from 19 Test matches would have been the leading choice for any other team. 

Aiden Markram and the rest of the South African team management though decided to back their instincts. Wiaan Mulder ran in to bowl the 2nd over of the day with Kagiso Rabada for company with the new ball. The 26-year-old has picked a mere 25 wickets before this with a best of 4/32. 

The move though was well thought off if we pay a closer look at Mulder’s domestic numbers. In 80 first-class matches, Mulder has picked 191 wickets with a best of 7/35 which is one of the 3 fifers he has picked in the multi-day format. The 26-year-old is more than useful with the bat and can be slotted in the middle order. 

With over 4000 runs in the first class, Mulder has hit 11 centuries and 13 fifties suggesting his hunger for runs. His best is 235 not out came for Leicestershire during the game against Sussex (which included Cheteshwar Pujara) in 2022. His unbeaten knock came off a mere 279 balls with 32 fours and 2 sixes. 

The Bangladesh vs South Africa Test match marks possibly the start of the long tenure Wiaan Mulder deserves at the top. While the 26-year-old could lack the pace that some of his peers have he can bowl the perfect channels that trouble the batters. It may be too early and maybe unjustified but if he continues to perform well and pick wickets, Mulder could be well on his way to becoming the next Shaun Pollock that the Proteas have missed.