Twin tons power South Africa to victory

Twin tons by Hashim Amla and Colin Ingram power South Africa to a 64-run win over Zimbabwe.

BLOEMFONTEIN: Twin tons by Hashim Amla and Colin Ingram powered South Africa to a 64-run win over Zimbabwe and allow the hosts to take a 1-0 lead in the One-Day International  (ODI) series 1-0.

South Africa scored 351 runs for six as Amla blasted 110 off 87 deliveries. Left-handed Ingram hit 124 off 126 balls to become the first South African and the sixth player in the world who scored a century on his ODI debut.

In reply, Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza got Zimbabwe off to a quick start, putting on 70 for the first wicket off 74 balls but after that Taylor saw a succession of partners come and go.  He finished with 145 not out off 136 deliveries as the tourists were restricted to 287 for six.

With South Africa missing key bowlers Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Jacques Kallis because of injury, captain Graeme Smith thought his side’s bowling was “decent” despite them being unable to bowl out the Zimbabweans.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2010.