|
Proteas win 1st
ODI by five wickets |
Link to
Scorecard
South Africa beat Zimbabwe by five wickets in
the opening game of their 3-ODI Series. Even
though hosts Zimbabwe lost the match, they will
get the credit for putting up a contest after
being at a disastrous 72 for 7.
Zimbabwe recovered from 72 for 7
after electing to bat first after winning the
toss to put up 206 on the board. It was because
of a fighting eight wicket stand of 115 between
no.7 Elton Chigumbura (59 from 74 with 6 fours
and a six) and no.9 Gary Brent (59 not out with
4 fours and 2 sixes) that Zimbabwe could get to
respectability. Medium pacer Vernon Philander
was the most successful South African bowler
with figures of 2 for 15 in 8 overs. Former
Captain Tatenda Taibu returned back to ODIs
after two years of absence to make a decent 22.
Proteas cruised home by five
wickets with 19 balls to spare with three half
centuries coming from the top order. After
Mpofu's magic delivery that got rid of Bosman in
the first over, SA was driven by a 57-ball 50
that had 7 fours from Skipper Graeme Smith who
was making his comeback after an injury.
Debutant left hander Goolam Bodi, the new no.3
made 51 from 99 with 6 fours before he was
forced to nick a lovely off break from Utseya.
AB de Villiers was the other batting star for SA
making 63 from 85 with 5 hits to the fence. AB
de Villiers doubled up the role of a wicket
keeper as Boucher was rested for this series.
Top of the Page |
Related Links