World Cup: Behardien plays as Zimbabwe put South Africa into bat

NEW ZEALAND: Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura won the toss and sent South Africa into bat in their first World Cup Pool B match in Hamilton on Sunday.

"It's a good ground to chase down, the guys are in good form," said Chigumbura after the toss. "We are excited for this first game."

South African all-rounder Farhaan Behardien passed a a late fitness test, having recovered from a back problem, to make it into the team.

"I'm very happy with the XI walking on the park," said Proteas skipper AB de Villiers, who added he had considered fielding first had he won the toss.

"The sun put a bit of doubt in mind but I'm happy to see it out now we're batting," said the captain.

South Africa entered the game with three frontline seamers and leg-spinner Imran Tahir while Zimbabwe left out Prosper Utseya.

Teams
South Africa: AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Farhaan Behardien, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn
Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura (capt), Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Tinashe Panyangara, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams
Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS) and Ranmore Martinesz (SRI)
TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)
Weather: Sunny and humid