CricInfo Home
News Home

NEWS FOCUS
Rsa in Pak
NZ in India
Zim in Aus

Domestic
Other Series

Zimbabwe make S Africans toil

Daryll Cullinan and Hansie Cronje, the captain, put on a record 123 for South Africa's fifth wicket to steer their side to victory in the tri-nations limited overs match against Zimbabwe at Centurion Park.

South Africa, who were given a mighty jolt at the start of their innings, eventually won by five wickets with 23 balls to spare.

The picture had looked very different when they began their chase for the 211 target set them by Zimbabwe on a hard, grassless batting pitch that gave bowlers little assistance.

After two overs South Africa were reeling at seven for three as Zimbabwe's new-ball pairing of Eddo Brandes and John Rennie claimed Andrew Hudson for a duck, Lance Klusener and Gary Kirsten.

With Craig Matthews out and unlikely to bat because of a ruptured ankle tendon, they were actually four down and a modest chase looked a tall order. Jonty Rhodes joined Cullinan in getting the innings back on course until he slashed a head-high catch to gully.

The in-form Cullinan stroked his way to a fifty off 69 deliveries. Cronje dug in to reach 50 off 95. Both struck only three boundaries along the way.

With Cronje being dropped by wicketkeeper Andy Flower on 62 and Shaun Pollock given a life by Grant Flower on three, Zimbabwe missed their chance.

Virtually unbeatable on home soil, South Africa, who beat India by 39 runs in the first match of the tournament in Bloemfontein on Thursday, are strong favourites to reach the final of the three-nation series.