South Africa put on a ruthless and clinical display to beat Zimbabwe by 165 runs in the first Standard Bank match in front of a crowd of about 7 000 at the Wanderers on Friday.
South Africa, sent in by Zimbabwe, made a formidable 301 for the loss of seven wickets in their 50 overs, with 104 runs coming off the last 10 overs.
Graeme Smith, Adam Bacher and Jacques Rudolph all made half-centuries.
Mark Boucher made a swashbuckling 49 off 29 balls, including four fours and three towering sixes, and Herschelle Gibbs made 40.
Things did not all go South Africa’s way, though. Zimbabwe’s young and fairly inexperienced team managed to dry up the runs in the middle of the innings, with no boundaries coming between the 19th and 34th overs.
Prosper Utseya bowled particularly well, ending with figures of three for 40, and Tinashe Panyangara bowled well in the early stages.
South Africa came out after the break determined to finish things off as quickly as possible, and wickets fell at regular intervals. The required run rate rose steadily with every over. By the 20th over, Zimbabwe were floundering on 75 for the loss of six wickets, whereas South Africa had 100 for one at the same stage.
Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu and Sean Williams put on a brave rearguard action, with a seventh-wicket partnership of 35 before Williams was run out by Nicky Boje and Mark Boucher for 12. By the time Taibu was out, caught by Smith off Boje for 28, the required rate had risen to more than nine an over, and Zimbabwe were in tatters.
Utseya and Christopher Mpofu struggled valiantly to stave off the inevitable defeat, and it was Andrew Hall who delivered the final blow when he bowled Utseya for 11, to have Zimbabwe all out for 136 with 12 overs and four balls in hand.
Makhaya Ntini and Hall took three wickets each, Albie Morkel took two — both in the same maiden over — and Nicky Boje took one.
Smith said after the match that it had been a very good performance by South Africa, although he felt the pitch had not played as well as it could have.
”It was slow and it was up and down, and a lot of balls kept low. They played three spinners, and the pitch played into their hands in the middle,” said Smith.
”But from Bouchie [Mark Boucher] onwards, the guys played superbly to get to 300.”
Smith said the 20 extras South Africa had conceded were disappointing.
”That’s something we always talk about, and we will work to keep those down.”
He said Zimbabwe would have been disappointed by their performance.
”They’re very young, and a lot of them have been thrown into international cricket. They’re still learning the game at international level, and it’s not a great place to learn. But it was very good to see us being ruthless, and taking control of weaker teams. It’s so easy to just go through the motions when playing weaker teams.”
Boucher, who was named man of the match, said he had enjoyed scoring some runs.
”I’ve been working quite hard with Ray [Jennings] on a few technical things, and the more you put into it, the more you’re going to get out.”
Good news for Zimbabwe is that former captain Heath Streak signed a new contract with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, and is likely to join the team almost immediately. Another rebel player, Andy Blignaut, has also signed a new contract, and is also expected to join the team.
And the good news for South Africa is that swing-bowler Charl Langeveldt has passed a fitness test and will be joining the squad from Saturday.
The second match will be played at Kingsmead in Durban on Sunday, and the third at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday. — Sapa