Taibu knock in vain as SA win first ODI

 
The two right-handers came together after Zimbabwe had slumped to 48 for five chasing South Africa’s 295 for five, but their run-a-ball association couldn’t help their team pull off an improbable victory.

Matsikenyeri made 86 and Taibu cracked an unbeaten 103, his second one-day ton, as Zimbabwe finished on 250 for six.

Put in to bat, South Africa rode on consistent contributions throughout the order, Albie Morkel providing the final flourish with a 39-ball unbeaten 50.

Score board

SOUTH AFRICA

Amla c Vermeulen b Cremer    80
Smith c Mpofu b Price    35
De Villiers c Vermeulen b Price    51
Boucher c Vermeulen b Price    18
Petersen c Cremer b Chibhabha    39
A Morkel (not out)    50
McLaren (not out)    6
Extras (LB-3, W-13)    16
Total (for 5 wkts, 50 overs)    295
Fall of wickets: 1-67, 2-157, 3-185, 4-202, 5-288.
Bowling: Mpofu 10-0-70-0, Chibhabha 9-0-64-1, Price 10-0-44-3, Utseya 10-0-59-0, Cremer 10-0-47-1, Matsikenyeri 1-0-8-0.

ZIMBABWE

Vermeulen c Amla b Tsotsobe    8
Chibhabha lbw McLaren    21
Masakadza c Boucher b Steyn    11
Taylor c Boucher b McLaren    2
Taibu (not out)    103
Chigumbura b Steyn    4
Matsikenyeri b McLaren    86
Cremer (not out)    1
Extras (B-1, LB-5, W-8)    14     
Total (for 6 wkts, 50 overs)    250
Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-35, 3-40, 4-44, 5-48, 6-236.
Bowling: Steyn 10-0-51-2, Tsotsobe 8-0-41-1, Langeveldt 8-0-33-0, McLaren 10-0-51-3, Botha 10-1-41-0, Morkel 4-0-27-0.