South Africa in series win

HARARE – A record 186-run third wicket stand between AB de Villiers and Albie Morkel paved the way for South Africa to complete a 3-0 sweep of their one-day series against Zimbabwe on Sunday.

De Villiers smashed 107 and Morkel made a career-best 97 to lead the visitors to a 28-run victory. Looking to overhaul South Africa’s total of 323 for nine, Zimbabwean captain Tatenda Taibu led from the front by scoring his maiden one-day century (107 not out) but the hosts ran out of overs and finished with 295 for seven.The 186-run partnership between De Villiers and Morkel was a South African third-wicket record against all opposition.The previous benchmark was held by Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis, who shared an unbroken 172 against Sri Lanka in 2002.Zimbabwe fought back after medium pacer Gary Brent had De Villiers caught by Tawanda Mupariwa at long-on in the 46th over, starting a slide in which four wickets fell for 10 runs in 16 deliveries.De Villiers faced 89 balls and hit eight fours and six sixes in his second one-day century.Vusi Sibanda (41) and Hamilton Masakadza (48) kick-started Zimbabwe’s reply with a bright opening stand of 76.Brendan Taylor made 42 and helped Taibu add 109 runs for the third wicket.But following Taylor’s dismissal in the 37th over, Zimbabwe kept losing wickets at regular intervals and Taibu struggled to keep up the momentum.There were just eight balls left in the match when Taibu drove fast bowler Makhaya Ntini to mid-on for the single that brought up his century.On Saturday, Gibbs smashed a quick-fire century to steer South Africa to a series-clinching eight-wicket win.Nampa-ReutersLooking to overhaul South Africa’s total of 323 for nine, Zimbabwean captain Tatenda Taibu led from the front by scoring his maiden one-day century (107 not out) but the hosts ran out of overs and finished with 295 for seven.The 186-run partnership between De Villiers and Morkel was a South African third-wicket record against all opposition.The previous benchmark was held by Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis, who shared an unbroken 172 against Sri Lanka in 2002.Zimbabwe fought back after medium pacer Gary Brent had De Villiers caught by Tawanda Mupariwa at long-on in the 46th over, starting a slide in which four wickets fell for 10 runs in 16 deliveries.De Villiers faced 89 balls and hit eight fours and six sixes in his second one-day century.Vusi Sibanda (41) and Hamilton Masakadza (48) kick-started Zimbabwe’s reply with a bright opening stand of 76.Brendan Taylor made 42 and helped Taibu add 109 runs for the third wicket.But following Taylor’s dismissal in the 37th over, Zimbabwe kept losing wickets at regular intervals and Taibu struggled to keep up the momentum.There were just eight balls left in the match when Taibu drove fast bowler Makhaya Ntini to mid-on for the single that brought up his century.On Saturday, Gibbs smashed a quick-fire century to steer South Africa to a series-clinching eight-wicket win.Nampa-Reuters