09 November, 2009
South Africa went 1-0 up in its two-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, with a 45-run victory - despite a defiant hundred from Tatenda Taibu - in Benoni.
Hashim Amla (80) helped the hosts post an imposing 5-295, after they had been asked to bat first.
Zimbabwe's reply was never on course to threaten the home total - although Taibu (103no) and Stuart Matsikenyeri (86) exposed some South African vulnerabilities and ensured some respectability for the tourists with a sixth-wicket stand of 188.
Zimbabwe eventually closed on 6-250 - still an encouraging outcome for Graeme Smith's team, which hopes to have big guns Jacques Kallis and JP Duminy back from injury in time for its forthcoming Twenty20 and ODI assignments against England.
Amla shared stands of 67 with Smith and 90 with AB de Villiers (51) - before Alviro Petersen and Albie Morkel (50no) added quick late runs to boost the Proteas' total.
Smith upped the tempo after a slow start, until he fell to an attempted slog-sweep at Ray Price.
Amla's new partner De Villiers took over the big hitting until he fell to a good catch by Mark Vermeulen off Price.
Amla then threw away a century by pulling a Graeme Cremer long-hop straight to Vermeulen, who also caught Mark Boucher to give Price his third victim.
But Petersen and Morkel added 86 for the fifth wicket to put South Africa firmly in control.
Price, with 3-44 from 10 overs, was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers.
Debutant all-rounder Ryan McLaren, who gave up his Kolpak status and a county career with Kent to be able to play for South Africa, had little chance with the bat - making an unbeaten six.
But he made an impact with the ball, trapping Zim opener Justice Chibabha lbw and having Brendan Taylor caught behind.
The tourists found themselves in big trouble at 48-5 at the end of the 17th over.
But experienced pair Taibu and Matsikenyeri refused to capitulate, either side of a rain break.
Matsikenyeri scored at the quicker rate - hitting eight fours and a six from only 87 balls - until McLaren (three for 51) returned to bowl him in the 48th over.
Zimbabwe never had a realistic chance of victory. But wicketkeeper Taibu's second ODI hundred in his 111th match - containing six fours and three sixes - was significant consolation.