Hamilton, Feb 15: Jean-Paul Duminy (115, 100b, 9×4, 3×6) and man of the match David Miller (138, 92b, 7×4, 9×6) smashed spectacular centuries as South Africa got past a fighting Zimbabwe by 62 runs in their cricket World Cup opener at Seddon Park, here Sunday.
The left-handed duo of Miller and Duminy lifted South Africa to 339 after they were struggling at 83/4. In the process, the two shared a world record fifth-wicket partnership with an unbeaten 265-run stand off 178 balls.
Zimbabwe gave their best during the steep chase but a middle-order collapse led to their downfall and they ended at 277 with 10 balls to spare. The contributions from Chamu Chibhabha (64, 82b, 10×4), Hamilton Masakadza (80, 74b, 8×4, 2×6) and Brendon Taylor (40, 40b, 4×4, 1×6) went in vain.
They kept themselves in the game until Masakadaza’s dismissal in the 33rd over triggered a batting collapse. From 191/2, Zimbabwe 
were reduced to 246/7, ending all hopes of an upset win.
South Africa’s premier pacer Dale Steyn had a not-so-good day in office as he conceded 48 runs in eight overs. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir (3/36) was the pick of the bowlers.
Earlier, Miller and Duminy led South Africa’s recovery after Zimbabwe bowled well on a pitch offering assistance to the fast bowlers. A big upset looked on the cards when Zimbabwe had their fancied rivals reeling at 83/4 with their in-form skipper Ab de Villiers (25, 36b, 1×4, 1×6) also back in the hut. It was a moment to remember South Africa’s shock loss against their African counterparts in the tournament’s 1999 edition.
As it panned out, Miller and Duminy got together only to take the game away from the opposition. The dangerous duo known for their big-hitting prowess smashed the bowlers to all corners of the park. Miller, as he has often shown in the IPL, hit sixes at will. He did not spare any bowler but took a particular liking for medium-pacer Solomon Mire, hammering him for a 6, 4, 4, 6, 4, 6 (30 runs) in the 47th over.
Sixes and fours became a routine towards the end of the innings as South Africa amassed 146 runs from the last 10 overs. While Miller marauded to his second ODI hundred, Duminy cruised to his fourth ton.
Scoreboard
South Africa: Q. de Kock c Ervine b Chatara 7, Hashim Amla b Panyangara 11, F du Plessis c Taylor b Chigumbura 24, AB de Villiers c Ervine b Kamungozi 25, D Miller n o 138, JP Duminy n o 115; Extras: (LB1, NB2, W16) 19; Total: (4 wkts, 50 overs) 339
Fall: 1/10, 2/21, 3/67, 4/83
Bowling: Panyangara 10-2-73-1 (3w); Chatara 10-1-71-1, (1nb, 5w); Mire 6-0-61-0 (2w); Chigumbura 4-0-30-1 (1nb, 2w); Williams 8-0-44-0 (3w); Kamungozi 8-0-34-1; Raza 3-0-19-0 (1w); Masakadza 1-0-6-0.
Zimbabwe: C Chibhabha c Duminy b Tahir 64, Sikandar Raza b Philander 5, H Masakadza c Amla b Tahir 80, B Taylor c Philander b Morkel 40, S William c de Kock b Duminy 8, C Ervine c de Villiers b Steyn 13, E Chigumbura r o (De Villiers) 8, S Mire c de Villiers b Philander 27, T Panyangara c de Villiers b Tahir 4, T Chatara c&b Morkel 6, T Kamungozi n o 0; Extras: (LB-13, W-9) 22; Total: (all out; 48.2 overs) 277
Fall: 1/32, 2/137, 3/191, 4/214, 5/218, 6/236, 7/240, 8/245, 9/272, 10/277.
Bowling: Philander 8-0-30-2, Duminy 8-0-45-1, Tahir 10-0-36-3, Behardien 5-0-40-0, Steyn 9-0-64-1, Morkel 8.2-1-49-2.
PTI
