Double D day for Zimbabwe

JP Duminy and AB de Villiers hit centuries in third ODI against Zimbabwe, gaining a 272-run win to seal series 3-0.

BENONI: JP Duminy and AB de Villiers hit centuries as South Africa’s batsmen went on the rampage in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) against Zimbabwe, gaining a 272-run win to seal the series 3-0.

The hosts hammered 399 for six before bowling out Zimbabwe for 127 to register the second biggest winning runs margin in ODI history, exceeded only by New Zealand’s 290-run win against Ireland.

Graeme Smith said the performance of the bowlers was particularly heartening ahead of his team’s tour to play Pakistan in the UAE. Duminy (129) and de Villiers (109) shared a record South African ODI third wicket partnership of 219 as the home side put the Zimbabwe bowlers to the sword.

“We were outplayed,” said Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura. “We can take heart from our batting apart from today but we have to work hard on our bowling.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2010.