PORT ELIZABETH, March 2: Former captain Heath Streak returned to international action for Zimbabwe with a battling 68 in the third One-day International against South Africa on Wednesday.
Streak, playing his first international game since settling a year-long dispute with the board of Zimbabwe Cricket, came to the crease with his team in deep trouble on 35 for five in the day/night game.
He then steadied the innings with Brendan Taylor (41) and Gavin Ewing (46) to help the tourists to 206 for eight in their 50 overs. Streak's composure and sensible stroke play was crucial for Zimbabwe after opening bowlers Charl Langeveldt and Monde Zondeki ripped through the top order to leave the visitors 32 for four in the 10th over.
Captain Tatenda Taibu was then run out for a duck three overs later to leave Zimbabwe in dire trouble. Taylor and Streak, however, carefully added 67 for the sixth wicket before Streak and Ewing hammered 88 off 91 balls to ensure some respectability.
Langeveldt ended with two for 40, while stand-in captain Nicky Boje, deputising for the rested Graeme Smith, was the most economical of South Africa's bowlers with no wicket for 23 runs off 10 overs of left-arm spin.
SCOREBOARD
ZIMBABWE:
S. Matsikenyeri c Boucher b Zondeki 17
B.G. Rogers c Boucher b Langeveldt 1
S.C. Williams c Kemp b Langeveldt 1
H. Masakadza c Gibbs b Zondeki 2
B.R.M. Taylor c Kemp b Bacher 41
T. Taibu run out 0
H.H. Streak run out 68
G.M. Ewing b Morkel 46
P. Utseya not out 6
T. Mupariwa not out 1
EXTRAS (LB-4, W-13, NB-6) 23
TOTAL (for eight wkts, 50 overs) 206
FALL OF WKTS: 1-9, 2-12, 3-23, 4-32, 5-35, 6-102, 7-190, 8-205.
DID NOT BAT: C.B. Mpofu.
BOWLING: Langeveldt 10-0-40-2 (3nb, 3w); Zondeki 10-1-46-2 (3w); Kemp 6-2-17-0 (4w); Morkel 8-0-54-1 (3nb, 1w); Boje 10-2-23-0 (2w); Bacher 6-0-22-1.
SOUTH AFRICA: A.M. Bacher, A.B. de Villiers, J.A. Rudolph, H.H. Gibbs, A.G. Prince, J.M. Kemp, M.V. Boucher, N. Boje, J.A. Morkel, C.K. Langeveldt, M. Zondeki. -Reuters
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