September 22, 2006	Friday	Sha'aban 28, 1427

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POTCHEFSTROOM (South Africa), Sept 21: Mark Boucher blasted a 44-ball century as South Africa went on a scoring spree to gain a 171-run win in the third and final One-day International against Zimbabwe at Sedgars Park on Wednesday (partially reported in Thursday’s edition).

Boucher finished with 147 not out off 68 balls as South Africa reached 418 for five, only the fourth time 400 has been made in a one-day international – and the third time in four matches involving South Africa.

South Africa restricted Zimbabwe to 247 for four in reply, completing a 3-0 series sweep

Boucher’s century was the second-fastest of all time, behind Shahid Afridi's hundred off 37 balls for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1996.

But they fell short of regaining the world record, which they set when they made 438 for nine in an astonishing run chase against Australia's 434 for four in Johannesburg last March, only for Sri Lanka to better their mark with 443 for nine against Holland in Amstelveen in July.

“We were targeting the world record but we lost our way a little in the middle when (Justin) Kemp got out,” said Boucher, who paid tribute to relative newcomers Loots Bosman and Alviro Petersen, who put on 160 off 126 balls for the first wicket.“After the foundation they set for us, we could just go out and play our natural games,” said Boucher. “Loots and Alviro both put bowlers under pressure. That's what we are trying to do and that's why they are in the side.”

Boucher was dropped three more times after reaching his century as he virtually tried to hit every ball out of the ground in a frantic end to the innings. He hit ten sixes and eight fours.

“It was my night tonight. I was dropped a couple of times and rode my luck. The deck was really good,” said Boucher.

Although Zimbabwe were never remotely on target to challenge the South African total, they were able to bat out the 50 overs without any difficulty.

Left-handed opening batsman Terry Duffin made a dogged, career-best 88 off 134 balls and shared partnerships of 94 for the second wicket with Justice Chibhabha (46) and 103 for the third with Hamilton Masakadza (55).

Masakadza provided the most enterprising batting of the innings, scoring his runs off 53 balls.

South Africa were without regular opening bowlers Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini, who were rested so that Johan van der Wath and Roger Telemachus could have their first games of the series. The bowlers and fielders were hampered by evening dew.

Australian umpire Daryl Harper stood in the match despite hearing earlier on Wednesday that his mother had died in Australia. The teams observed a minute's silence in sympathy.

Scoreboard

SOUTH AFRICA:

L.L. Bosman st Taylor b Kamungozi 88

A.N. Petersen c and b Utseya 80

J.H. Kallis c Chigumbura b Utseya 50

M.V. Boucher not out 147

J.M. Kemp st Taylor b Kamungozi 10

J.J. van der Wath b Rainsford 5

J.P. Duminy not out 24

EXTRAS (LB-1, W-9, NB-4) 14

TOTAL (for five wkts, 50 overs) 418

FALL OF WKTS: 1-160, 2-199, 3-290, 4-317, 5-351.

DID NOT BAT: A.J. Hall, R. Telemachus, C.K. Langeveldt, A. Nel.

BOWLING: Rainsford 10-0-60-1 (3nb, 1w); Mupariwa 9-0-81-0 (5w); Chibhabha 6-0-61-0; Utseya 9-0-77-2; Chigumbura 2-0-28-0 (1nb, 3w); Kamungozi 10-0-70-2; Masakadza 4-0-40-0.

ZIMBABWE:

T. Duffin lbw b Nel 88

V. Sibanda c Langeveldt b Nel 1

C.J. Chibhabha c Boucher b Telemachus 46

H. Masakadza c Boucher b Telemachus 55

B.R.M. Taylor not out 19

S. Matsikenyeri not out 16

EXTRAS (LB-14, W-4, NB-4) 22

TOTAL (for four wkts, 50 overs) 247

FALL OF WKTS: 1-9, 2-103, 3-206, 4-212

DID NOT BAT: E. Chigumbura, T. Kamungozi, T. Mupariwa, E.C. Rainsford.

BOWLING: Nel 8-1-41-2 (1nb, 2w); van der Wath 8-0-43-0 (3nb); Langeveldt 8-2-34-0 (1w); Hall 9-0-29-0; Telemachus 8-0-33-2 (1w); Duminy 6-1-35-0; Kemp 3-0-18-0.

RESULT: South Africa won by 171 runs to clinch series 3-0.

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

TV UMPIRE: K.H. Hurter (South Africa).

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

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Mark Boucher.

MAN-OF-THE-SERIES: Mark. Boucher.

FIRST MATCH: Bloemfontein, South Africa won by five wickets.

SECOND MATCH: East London, South Africa won by six wickets.—AFP