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08-Nov-2009 16:39:00 GMT
South Africa v Zimbabwe, 1st ODI, Benoni

Taibu Ton Saves Face in Defeat Against Proteas

Benoni: South Africa win first one-day by 45 runs. Zimbabwe really fought hard, thanks to an unbeaten century by Taibu and a fighting fifty by Matsikenyeri. They also put together 188 runs for the sixth wicket.

Zimbabwe really put in a great effort and the two men that really steered this innings, Taibu and Matsikenyeri really have set the red lights burning bright in the Proteas camp and hopefully they will answer to these danger signs.

The Proteas might have won this game by 45 runs, but it is the Zimbabweans who will go home the happier team.

Taibu has been named the Man of the Match

Reeling at 48/5, Zimbabwe staged a magnificent recovery thanks to a record 188-run partnership against South Africa between wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu (103 not out) and Stuart Matsikenyeri (86) and they made 250/6 by the close.

Man-of-the-match Taibu faced 112 balls and struck six fours and three sixes in a display that thrilled him and left South Africa coach Micky Arthur and skipper Graeme Smith with some head scratching to do over the bowlers.

Stung by criticism of pre-tournament rust when they flopped as Champions Trophy hosts last month, South Africa play Zimbabwe again in Centurion on Tuesday before a first joust with England three days later at Twenty20 level.

Earlier, A late run flourish lifted South Africa to 295/5 off 50 overs against Zimbabwe at Willowmoore Park on Sunday in a One-Day International.

Warming up for Twenty20, ODI and Test matches against touring England, the Proteas began impressively, hit a mid-innings slump when they went 54 balls without a boundary, and tormented the visiting fielders at the death.

Opener Hashim Amla top scored for South Africa in hot conditions with a 131-minute 80 that included six fours before he mistimed a shot to a grateful Mark Vermeulen at the deep wicket boundary.

Skipper Graeme Smith made 35 and AB de Villiers 51 to set South Africa up for a high total and Albie Morkel hit three sixes and three fours in an unbeaten 50 during a 39-minute spell at the crease.

Veteran left-arm orthodox bowler Ray Price was the most successful Zimbabwean, claiming 3-44 off 10 overs, but Chris Mpofu proved expensive, conceding 70 runs without reward.

South Africa begin three months of action against England Friday when they clash at the Wanderers in the first of two Twenty20 games and the other is at SuperSport Park in Centurion two days later.

Brief scores
South Africa: 295 for 5 (Amla 80, de Villiers 51, Morkel 50*, Price 3-44)
Zimbabwe: 250 for 6 (T Taibu 103*, S Matsikenyeri 86, R McLaren 3-51)
Result: South Africa won by 45-runs
MOM: Tatenda Taibu (Zimbabwe)


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