OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Sunday 1.35am.
SOUTH Africa have posted 204/7 in thei alotted 50 overs in a triangular-series match against Zimbabwe at Port Elizabeth, with Jacques Kallis again saving the innings with a splendid knock of 98.
The South African innings was again comprised of mediocre knocks and soft dismissals, especially those of Hansie Cronje and Jonty Rhodes, who played shots not commonly found in this level of cricket.
Cronje won the toss and elected to bat on a dry wicket, with a score of 230 being ideal on the strip.
It was, however, not to be, as wickets fell with alarming regularity, and more often than not, the batsmen got themselves out.
The first South African wicket to fall was that of Herschelle Gibbs, who was run-out by Guy Whittall for 11. Gibbs’ opening partner, Louis Koen was the next man out, fooled by a slower delivery from Henry Olonga that beat bat and pad to clean-bowl him for 13.
Neil McKenzie and Kallis then put on a 29-run partnership for the third wicket before McKenzie was caught at backward point for six. Cronje and Rhodes lost their wickets to similar shots, top-edging the ball to midwicket for 13 and three respectively.
Lance Klusener was run-out by Olonga for 29, and Shaun Pollock was bowled by Heath Streak for eight.
Gary Brent was the pick of the Zimbabwean bowlers, picking up two for 48 in his 10 overs.
HH Gibbs run out (Whittall) 11
LJ Koen b Olonga 13
JH Kallis not out 98
ND McKenzie c Goodwin b Brent 6
*WJ Cronje c Carlisle b Brent 13
JN Rhodes c Brent b Whittall 3
L Klusener run out (Olonga) 29
SM Pollock b Streak 8
+MV Boucher not out 6
Extras (b 3, lb 3, w 8, nb 3) 17
Total (7 wickets, 50 overs) 204