Spare a thought for followers of Zimbabwean cricket. 2-year wait for an open match and their campaign ends even before other teams have played a match.
AB de Villiers elected to bowl on a wicket with some refreshing bounce and carry. Kallis led South Africa four-pronged seam battery with his greatest ever T20 International figures of 4-15 as Zimbabwe just about managed to last out their quota of 20, finishing on an upbringing 93-8, thanks to Craig Ervine’s 37. Fast bowling accounted for all the 8 wickets to fall.
South Africa reply was as emphatic as it was expected to be - an attacking 94-run opening partnership between Richard Levi (50*) not out, and H- Amla (32*) not out taking them home in a canter in 12.4 overs. Levi struck 6 boundaries in his 43-ball knock, while Amla was somewhat more cautious, finding the fence three times as Zimbabwe struggled to test the dangerous opening pair.
Before, after Dale Steyn turned in a scathing opening spell, conceding just 2 runs in 2 overs, the brothers Morkel conspired to remove Zimbabwe top 3. At 17 for 3 an early break looked likely, but Zimbabwe dug in through Ervine, who scored four of the 6 boundaries that were hit.
If it was spin that had caused their downfall against Lanka, it was the twist of pace this time. Steyn wobble in the air, Morne Morkel reared up, and before Kallis difference landed the fell blow on the innings spine.
Vusi Sibanda was bowled by Morne Morkel, while Captain Brendan Taylor edged behind to de Villiers. Morkel to Levi at mid-on.
De Villiers then dove spectacularly to his left to limit Prosper Utseyas innings off Steyn and Ervine was the lone man to stage a fight. He was lastly out when he too edged to give de Villiers his 4th catch of the innings and Kallis his 4th victim. Zimbabwe manages to last 20 overs, but gained valuable little in terms of runs.
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