Publications
Partners
Ken Borland - SuperSport
Johannesburg - Inspired centuries by JP Duminy and AB de Villiers saw South Africa go to a massive 399 for six in the third MTN One-Day International against Zimbabwe at Sahara Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Friday.
Duminy and De Villiers shared in a third-wicket stand of 219 in 31.4 overs - South Africa's best for that wicket and their third highest in any game - before Albie Morkel, David Miller and Colin Ingram provided a late flurry of runs that should ensure the home team make an impressive clean sweep of the series.
Duminy and De Villiers came together after openers Graeme Smith (26) and Hashim Amla (24) had given the innings a brisk start with 59 runs scored in the first seven overs.
De Villiers was happy initially to play the foil to Duminy, who was timing the ball sweetly from the outset, with both batsmen mindful of the need to keep picking up the singles.
Duminy reached his half-century in the 23rd over, in 53 balls and looked in fine touch. De Villiers went to fifty in the 25th over, in 54 balls, before unleashing a furious onslaught that saw him race to his second successive century in just 37 more deliveries.
De Villiers reached his century two overs before Duminy, but was also out before the elegant left-hander, slicing a pull off Hamilton Masakadza to deep midwicket after scoring a dazzling 109 off 99 balls, an innings of sheer class.
Duminy went to his century off 96 balls and went on to stroke 129 off 117 deliveries, a career-best score and an innings that should surely serve to silence any doubts over his ability to bounce back from his troubled previous summer.
The Duminy/De Villiers partnership meant Zimbabwe were well and truly down on the mat and Morkel capitalised by providing a pleasing teaser as to his finishing ability, lashing 37 off 21 balls.
Miller continued to confirm his rich talent as he thundered his way to 33 not out off 19 balls, but Colin Ingram would be even quicker as he smashed 20 off eight deliveries.
Shingirai Masakadza might have claimed two wickets, but he conceded 95 runs in his 10 overs, while other Zimbabwean bowlers who will want to erase their efforts from any highlight reels were Ian Nicolson (7-0-74-1), Graeme Cremer (5-0-37-0) and Elton Chigumbura (7-0-53-1).
Teams:
South Africa:
Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Colin Ingram, AB de Villiers (wk), JP Duminy, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Johan Botha, Wayne Parnell, Rusty Theron, Lonwabo Tsotsobe
Zimbabwe:
Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha, Tatenda Taibu, Craig Ervine, Elton Chigumbura (captain), Keith Dabengwa, Prosper Utseya, Graeme Cremer, Shingirai Masakadza, Ian Nicolson
