South Africa, one of the big favorites of World Cup 2015 continued the trend of yesterday becoming third consecutive team to score 300+ runs batting first and winning the match, convincingly. Zimbabwe did score 2 more boundaries than South Africa who at 83/4 had the ghost of 1999 in mind, but world record stand between David Miller and Duminy got them the winner.
2015 World Cup: Complete Fixture in Indian Time
South Africa had 19 4s and 14 6s. Zimbabwe had 28 4s and 7 6s. Overall, Zimbabwe score two more boundaries than South Africa in a game where they lost the match but gained the confidence to upstage probably West Indies or Ireland in the race to quarterfinal.
Match Statistics
- David Miller is the MOM.
256 run unbeaten stand between Duminy and David Miller is the new world record for 5th wicket.
138 (92 balls) by David Miller and 115* (100 balls) by Duminy.
3 Maiden overs by Zimbabwe. 2 by Panyangara, 1 by Chatara.
1 Maiden by Morne Morkel for South Africa.
2 50s in the match: Chibhabha 64, Masakadza 80.
339/4 is South Africa’s 4th biggest total in World Cup.
8th 300+ score for South Africa in World Cup.
11 centuries by South African batsmen in World Cup now. AB de Villiers leads with 3 centuries.
Miller & Duminy Create World Record, SA score 339/4
Being sent to bat first, South Africa were in trouble as they were 83/4 in 20.2 overs with the three biggies Amla (11), Plessis (24) and captain AB de Villiers (25) back in the pavillion with opener de Kock (7). Zimbabwe bowled 3 maiden overs too.
David Miller and Duminy started the herculean task of saving a setback. Till 36th over they added 73 runs. In 40 overs South Africa reached 193/4. From there on they break free as they added 146 runs in last 10 overs. While 48th over was the biggest one where Miller milked Mire for 30 runs, 45th over by Panyangara gave 19 runs, and his last over resulteed into 19 runs.
Chatara (1/71), Panyangara (1/73), Chigumbura (1/30), and Kamungozi (1/34) did the damage. Till 40 overs they were in control, after that the bowlers were mere spectators. as Duminy and Miller went on to create World record unbeaten 256 run partnership for 5th wicket. Miller was unbeaten on 92-ball 115 runs with 9 6s and 7 4s. Duminy was unbeaten on 100-ball 115 runs with 3 6s & 9 4s.
Zimbabwe Almost Chase It
When the statisticians were waiting for what could be the losing margin, opener Chibhabha (64), Masakadza (80) gave them a scare. Zimbabwe almost chased it reaching very close. It was the wicket of Masakadza and Brendon Taylor (40) after which match appeared to go one way. Till then Zimbabwe were 214/4 in 36.1 overs. Lucky for South Africa that WIlliams, Erwine and Chugumbura could not settle down as required run rate was jumping up.
But 1/64 in 9 overs by Steyn tells how good the Zimabwe team was while chasing. Philander (2/30) emerged unhurt, but Morne Morkel (2/49 in 8.2 overs), Behardien (0/40 in 5 overs) and Duminy (1/45 in 8 overs) sufferred. Imran Tahir (3/36) saved them the blushes though although Zimbabwe did give South Africans a good wake up call.
Zimbabwe were all out on 277 runs in 48.2 overs and lost by 62 runs ultimately. But it was a much better competition than what England and Sri Lanka showed in the first two games yesterday.
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