Zimbabwe made three changes in the squad which left Vusi Sibanda in charge of the team. Brendan Taylor, Raymond Price and Keagan Meth were replaced by Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller and Natsai Mushangwe. South Africa made one change of Rusty Theron replacing Ethy Mbalathi –this move eventually proved to be very fruitful for the visitors as he played a major role in the victory.
Roussouw came in at number three and top scored for South Africa, scoring his 90 with five boundaries and two massive sixes. His 78 run partnership for the fifth wicket with Vaughn van Jaarsveld (38) rescued the batting side from collapsing as they were 127 for four in just 32.5 overs. Zimbabwe managed to prevent the South Africans from repeating Tuesday’s 298 target against Australia ‘A’ and kept them at 171/4 until the 40th. The tables turned as the South Africa scored 73 runs in the last ten overs and finished at 244/8 after 50 overs.
Brian Vitori was the pick of the Zimbabwean bowlers with figures of three wickets for 35 runs in nine overs. Former national team captain, Elton Chigumbura, also chipped in with 2/38 off his allotted ten overs.
Zimbabwe, though forming milestone partnerships, was bowled out for 227 runs after 43 overs. Vusi Sibanda (22) and Hamilton Masakadza (47) started the pursuit firmly with a 66 run opening stand. Regis Chakabva top scored with 50 from 54 deliveries and formed the highest partnership of 72 runs with Foster Mutizwa (39) for the third wicket.
Death bowl specialist Rusty Theron and fast bowler Craig Alexander demolished the Zimbabwean batsman sharing seven wickets between them, the bulk of the damage coming from their second spells that ripped Zimbabwe’s middle order to undo the benefits of the two top order partnerships. The pair bowled their allotted ten overs and Alexander took 3/38 while Theron was the highest wicket taker of the match with 4/43.
Friday’s game will be crucial for Jacques Rudolph and his men, as they go out to avoid a third consecutive defeat against the unbeaten Australian outfit.
Post published in: Cricket