World Cup: Zimbabwe will cause upsets, warns de Villiers

South Africa pushed with both bat and ball in 62-run win

HAMILTON:

Relieved South African captain AB de Villiers forecasted Zimbabwe will cause upsets in the World Cup after his team upstaged their African rivals in a nervy start to the tournament on Sunday.

South Africa were indebted to a brilliant career-best 138 not out by David Miller and JP Duminy’s unbeaten 115 for a commanding total of 339-4 before restricting Zimbabwe to 277 all out in a 62-run win at Hamilton’s Seddon Park.

Miller and Duminy lifted the Proteas from a nervous 83-4 during a new ODI record stand for the fifth wicket of 256.

“I am very happy at the performance, we had a really good game today,” said de Villiers as South Africa, bidding for a maiden World Cup title, made a winning start to their Pool B campaign. “They [Zimbabwe] played some excellent cricket and I will not be surprised if they upset a couple of teams in this World Cup.”

The Proteas skipper added that Zimbabwe made the most of winning the toss. “There is no doubt that played a good part in getting them ahead early on as it was a really difficult wicket to bat on in the first 15 to 20 overs,” he said.

De Villiers also reserved special praise for the pair that bailed them out of jail. “Miller and Duminy played exceptionally well in that great partnership that won us the game today,” he added. “We have seen Miller demolish attacks like that and he is capable of that. To see at this high level and in this biggest tournament is great and it shows where this guy is going in his career. Duminy also showed good form, he was a bit out of touch with his injuries but seeing him bat like that is very pleasing.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th,  2015.

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