OWN CORRESPONDENT, Bloemfontein | Friday 1.45pm
SOUTH Africa are in a strong position as Zimbabwe lost three wickets for 47 runs before lunch on the opening day of the historic first Test Bloemfontein on Friday.
Hansie Cronje won the toos and sent the visitors in to bat on a pitch that looked bouncy and lively.
Cronje’s decision proved to be spot-on, as Shaun Pollock trapped Grant Flower in front and sent him back to the hut for a duck with the eighth delivery of the morning.
After Flower’s dismissal Murray Godwin joined Trevor Gripper (16) at the crease. His stay was also not a very productive one as he was caught behind by keeper Mark Boucher for seven, Pollock again doing the damage.
The South Africans then needed a bit more effort to break up the partnership of skipper Alistair Campbell (16 not out) and Gripper, who dug themselves in well. All that was changed when they tried to scamper a suicidal second run off the bowling of Lance Klusener.
Gripper was sent back by his skipper, but he was well out as Boucher collected from debutant Boeta Dippenaar at backward square-leg and took the bails off.
Andy Flower (2 not out) joined Campbell in the middle and they held out for 19 minutes until the break.
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