NatWest Series: SA vs Zim

South Africa vs Zimbabwe at The Rose Bowl, Hampshire


Going into the match the only real significant was the fact that The Rose Bowl was holding their first ever One Day International match.

Zimbabwe already eliminated from the competition won the toss and elected to have first bat on the Hampshire track. A combination of great opening bowling particularly by M Ntini and poor stroke play saw the Zimbabwe top order obliterated as the promoted G Flower was first to depart for just 1 in the second over shortly followed by T Friend and T Taibu with the score on just 18 for 3.

D Ebrahim and S Ervine went about rebuilding the situation but to little joy as the pair could only manage to add a further 31 runs in just a little under 10 overs.

Although S Matsikenyeri hung in for a 20 balls he only managed to score 7 runs before being dismissed, leaving the Zimbabwe decision to bat first looking like a dreadful one with the score now just on 68 for 5 in the 19th over.

The Decision to bat though would have been made by most captains from all over the world with a nice Sunday day with little if no cloud cover, however the ball was moving all over the place right up until midway through the innings.

68 for 5 and Zimbabwe were desperate for a big partnership however just 6 run later and the anchor innings of D Ebrahim departed for a handy 27 from 56 balls, including three – fours.

The wicket bought the captain to the middle and just like the other day when he hit 54, he lead by example as himself as he and R Sims added a very usual 54 runs for the 7th wicket before the debuting (in the NWS) R Sims hit 24 of 60 balls, in the vital partnership with his captain.

The next two batsmen offered valuable support tying up an end while H Streak attacked at the other bringing up his own personal 50 just in time while R Price remained undefeated on 17 at the other end.

Zimbabwe had battled back from the precarious position of 3/18 to a final total of 173/8 was a top effort especially by the captain himself with a undefeated 50.


In Reply South Africa Required 174 To Win



In reply, South Africa slumped to 2/8 losing H Gibbs (2) and M van Jaarsveld (5), both to the bowling of D Hondo. However G Smith was joined by J Rudolph, and the pair set about repairing the innings. With an array of exquisite shots the pair added 137, putting the game beyond Zimbabwe’s reach.

G Smith's innings came to an end when D Ebrahim caught him off the bowling of T Friend. It had been a true captains knock. A well timed 69 off 80 balls including 10 boundaries.

M Boucher joined J Rudolph and the pair completed the formalities with South Africa winning by seven wickets and with a massive 14.4 overs to spare.

M Boucher was unbeaten on 13, while J Rudolph was unbeaten on 69 off 97 balls including 12 fours. J Rudolph played well; however some poor bowling from Zimbabwe aided him. Other than D Honda, who picked up 2/25 off seven overs, no one else really stood out for the Zimbabwe side.


Zimbabwe now have completed the "controversial" tour of England and head home to start the preparations for the upcoming tour to Australia.

For South Africa they head to Lord's to face England in the final of the NewWest Series.


Zimbabwe: 173/8 (50 Overs) - H Streak 50*, D Ebrahim 27, R Sims 24; M Ntini 4/45, A Nel 2/33

South Africa: 174/2 (35.2 Overs) - J Rudolph 69*, G Smith 69; D Hondo 2/25


South Africa won by 8 wickets

Cricket Web Player Of The Match - M Ntini


Posted by Richard