Kallis, Morkel star in South Africa win
Morne Morkel grabbed three wickets and Jacques Kallis hit an unbeaten
49 as South Africa raced to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Zimbabwe
in a World Cup warm-up match on Saturday.
Paceman Morkel took 3-16 and Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir
bagged 3-35 as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 152 after electing to bat in
the day-night match in Chennai.
South Africa achieved the target with more than 26 overs to spare in
the one-sided contest, with Hashim Amla (45), skipper Graeme Smith (41)
and Kallis being the main run-scorers.
All-rounder Kallis, who missed a recent home one-day series against
India due to a rib injury, did not bowl but smashed three sixes and as
many fours in his 39-ball knock.
Amla played some handsome shots in his 33-ball cameo, hitting seven
fours, while Smith hit one six and three fours in his 54-ball knock.
South Africa were earlier well-served by Morkel and Tahir, who did
not allow Zimbabwe to build a big partnership with their disciplined
spells.
The pair were backed by left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, who took two
wickets, and off-spinner Johan Botha (1-18). Opener Brendan Taylor
top-scored with 40 in a disappointing Zimbabwean batting performance.
Sean Williams (35) and Charles Coventry (21) were the other main
run-getters. South Africa are in Group B with India, England, the West
Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands, while Group A comprises
Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya.
Four teams from each group will qualify for
the quarter-finals. India meet Bangladesh in the opening World Cup
match in Dhaka on February 19.
CHENNAI, AFP |