South Africa canters to nine-wicket win

South Africa romped to a nine-wicket win after Zimbabwe suffered a middle-order batting collapse to set it a 41-run target in the one-off Test match on the fourth day of the match at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday (August 12).

It took South Africa just 10.4 overs, during which it lost Dean Elgar (21) – bowled by Tendai Chatara – to score the required runs, which came up when Faf du Plessis hit Sean Williams for a four over mid-off. Alviro Petersen hit three fours in his unbeaten 30-ball 17 when the win was achieved.

Earlier, Morne Morkel and Dane Piedt took two wickets apiece as Zimbabwe lost five wickets for 26 runs in ten overs after lunch. However, Richmond Mutumbami and John Nyumbu stayed on and 54 runs for the eighth wicket as the duo's partnership ensured the host did not suffer an innings defeat.

However, things unravelled pretty quickly after tea as Mutumbami (43) fell edging Dale Steyn to Quinton de Kock behind the wickets, followed by Piedt picking up his fourth wicket when he had Nyumbu (13) caught and bowled and Steyn wrapping this up when he bowled Tinashe Panyangara for 2.

In the morning, resuming on 28 for 1, Zimbabwe frustrated South Africa through the opening session, with Donald Tiripano, the nightwatchman, the only batsman dismissed.

However, Steyn trapped Mark Vermeulen in front in the fifth over of the second session, after Zimbabwe lost a flurry of wickets to slip from 98 for 2 to 124 for 7.

Piedt caught Vusi Sibanda, the opener, off his own bowling, for 45 and also grabbed the important wicket of Brendan Taylor, Morkel bowled Regis Chakabva and then had Williams brilliantly caught at backward point by JP Duminy.

Piedt ended with 4 for 62, while Steyn had 3 for 38 and Morkel 3 for 15.