Proteas blow hot and cold

9 Nov 2009

South Africa claimed an unconvincing 45-run win against Zimbabwe in the first ODI in Potchefstroom.

Needing an improbable 296 to win, the visitors were in massive trouble at 44-4 in the 17th over, before an unbeaten 103 from Tatenda Taibu and 86 from Stuart Matsikenyeri saw them finish on a respectable 250-6.

Ryan McLaren, making his ODI debut, finished with 3-51 from his 10 overs with Dale Steyn taking 2-51 in his. While Charl Langeveldt (33 runs off eight overs) and Johan Botha (41 off 10) didn’t take a wicket, they were the hosts’ most economical bowlers.

Earlier in the day, Hashim Amla top scored for the Proteas with 80 off 96 balls, before hitting a short ball from Graeme Cremer down Mark Vermeulen’s throat. AB de Villiers (51 off 51 balls) and Albie Morkel (50* off 39) also made good contributions.

South Africa 295-5 (50 overs)
Hashim Amla 80, AB de Villiers 51, Albie Morkel 50*, Ray Price 3-44*
Zimbabwe 250-6 (50 overs)
Tatenda Taibu 103*, Stuart Matsikenyeri 86, Ryan McLaren 3-51, Dale Steyn 2-51
South Africa won by 45 runs
Click here for the full scorecard



4 Comments

  • 1.Lions_Soutie: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2009, 07:24 am

    We should be able to bowl Zimbabwe out with our eyes closed. I dont think we should rely on Albie’s bowling any longer

  • 2.grant10: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2009, 08:49 am

    gonna be a tough series against Eng!

  • 3.Ezee-23: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2009, 09:14 am

    We were rusty that’s all. Anyway we failed to bowl Zimbabwe out convincingly at the beginning of last season and we ended up having one the greatest seasons in our history.

    Relax gents, we’ll crush them in the ODI’s and T20′s. As far as the Tests go the scheduling has helped us immensely. We can use the ODI series as a gauge of where we’re at as far as Test’s go.

  • 4.WP_: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2009, 10:40 am

    Nothing much to worry about. It was a solid performance considering the circumstances

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