BULAWAYO:
Quinton de Kock tied an ODI record as South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 61 runs on Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The 21-year-old wicketkeeper-opening batsman made 38 to equal the mark of England’s Jonathan Trott in reaching the landmark of 1,000 runs in only 21 one-day games.
Faf du Plessis top-scored with 55 as South Africa were bowled out for 257 in 49.4 overs after being put in to bat. It was only the third time in 34 ODI meetings that Zimbabwe had bowled out their southern African rivals.
Out-of-form South Africa captain AB de Villiers was involved in a bizarre dismissal. He missed a delivery from spinner Prosper Utseya and, in the mistaken belief that Richmond Mutumbami did the same, set off for a single only for the bemused wicketkeeper to run him out for one.
“I am happy but it was a bit of an awkward game with some of the dismissals, specifically myself,” said De Villiers. “But I am very happy with our recovery. Hashim [Amla] did not score many but the others did. We were very hungry in the field and that always helped. Still haven’t figured why I ran, I sort of thought I was in the middle of a double.
“I felt 250-off was enough even without our premier bowling attack. The top order failed but still we got that total. There might be a few changes in the next match. Hashim has played a lot of games, we will possibly give him a rest. We still want to win but maybe we will make a couple of changes here and there.” Sean Williams (55) then passed 50 for the second successive match but Zimbabwe were bowled out for 196 in 49.1 overs. Paceman Wayne Parnell took three for 28 while all-rounder Ryan McLaren picked up three for 21.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura said he was happy with his bowlers for restricting South Africa to a small total.
“I am very happy with the bowlers to restrict South Africa to 250,” said Chigumbura. “I couldn’t ask for more, but it was disappointing that we couldn’t perform with the bat. Losing so many early wickets is criminal.”
The final match is also in Bulawayo on Thursday before South Africa and Zimbabwe are joined by Australia for a triangular series that stars in Harare on Monday.
(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM ESPNCricinfo)
Published in The Express Tribune, August 20th, 2014.
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