September 17, 2006	Sunday	Sha'aban 23, 1427

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BLOEMFONTEIN, Sept 16: Jean-Paul Duminy staked his claim for a future in international cricket with a classy half-century in South Africa's five-wicket win over Zimbabwe at Springbok Park on Friday (partially reported in Saturday’s edition).

South Africa were 33 for three in reply to underdog Zimbabwe's 201 for seven when Duminy joined Boeta Dippenaar, who was playing in his 100th One-day International in this the first of three One-day Internationals.

The left-handed Duminy, who missed selection for next month's Champions Trophy in India, batted with style and confidence from the start of his innings while Dippenaar showed his experience in a fluent, solid innings.

Together they put on 121 for the fourth wicket before Duminy charged down the pitch to off-spinner Stuart Matsikenyeri and was stumped for 60, made off 70 balls.

Dippenaar went on to make 85 not out as South Africa won with 6.1 overs to spare.

There was no place for Duminy in South Africa's squad for the Champions Trophy, named last week to meet an International Cricket Council debut.

He was one of four men added for the series against Zimbabwe to cover for injured players, including regular captain Graeme Smith.

It was his first international match in more than two years. He played five times in 2004 with a highest score of 22.

South Africa had been expected to crush the young Zimbabwe team but Vusi Sibanda, who batted with increasing confidence after a shaky start, made a half-century to enable the tourists to post a respectable total.

Sibanda made 51 off 78 balls against accurate but largely unthreatening bowling.

South Africa made a poor start under the Springbok Park floodlights.

Debutant Loots Bosman swung across the line and was bowled by Edward Rainsford for five, Herschelle Gibbs slapped a wide ball from Tuwanda Mupariwa to cover to be out for two and Jacques Kallis made four before being caught behind off Anthony Ireland.

Kallis fell one run short of completing a double of 8000 runs and 200 wickets in One-day Internationals, a feat previously achieved only by Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya.

Last season Kallis completed the same double in Tests, the second man after Garfield Sobers to reach the mark.

Scoreboard

ZIMBABWE:

T. Duffin c Kallis b Ntini 3

V. Sibanda c Pollock b Nel 51

J. Chibhabha c Peterson b Kallis 37

H. Masakadza c Duminy b Kallis 32

B.R.M. Taylor c Gibbs b Nel 9

S. Matsikenyeri b Langeveldt 11

E. Chigumbura not out 26

P. Utseya c Boucher b Langeveldt 14

T. Mupariwa not out 2

EXTRAS (LB-4, W-10, NB-2) 16

TOTAL (for seven wkts, 50 overs) 201

FALL OF WKTS: 1-21, 2-76, 3-137, 4-140, 5-158, 6-158, 7-179.

DID NOT BAT: A.J. Ireland, E.C. Rainsford.

BOWLING: Pollock 10-0-29-0 (2nb, 1w); Ntini 10-3-29-1 (1w); Nel 9-0-39-2 (4w); Langeveldt 10-0-49-2 (2w); Peterson 5-0-35-0; Kallis 6-1-16-2 (2w).

SOUTH AFRICA:

L.L. Bosman b Rainsford 5

H.H. Dippenaar not out 85

H.H. Gibbs c Chibhabha b Mupariwa 2

J.H. Kallis c Taylor b Ireland 4

J.P. Duminy st Taylor b Matsikenyeri 60

M.V. Boucher b Rainsford 8

S.M. Pollock not out 16

EXTRAS (B-1, LB-1, W-17, NB-3) 22

TOTAL (for five wkts, 43.5 overs) 202

FALL OF WKTS: 1-13, 2-23, 3-33, 4-154, 5-175.

DID NOT BAT: R.J. Peterson, C.K. Langeveldt, A. Nel, M. Ntini.

BOWLING: Rainsford 10-1-29-2 (1nb); Mupariwa 9-0-43-1 (4w); Ireland 10-0-52-1 (1nb, 5w); Utseya 6-0-37-0 (1w); Chibhabha 6-0-23-0 (1nb, 1w); Matsikenyeri 2-0-10-1; Masakadza 0.5-0-6-0.

RESULT: South Africa won by five wickets.

UMPIRES: B.G. Jerling (South Africa) and D.J. Harper (Australia).

TV UMPIRE: I.L. Howell (South Africa).

MATCH REFEREE: R.S. Mahanama (Sri Lanka).

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Boeta Dippenaar.

SECOND MATCH: At East London on Sunday.

THIRD MATCH: At Potchefstroom (D/N) on Wednesday.—AFP