The Rest of the World remain unbeaten in Group I, after a huge innings victory over South Africa at Centurion Park.
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first on a wicket that was expected to flatten out after a 'lively' opening session. That session proved too lively for South Africa as the Rawalpindi express, Shoaib Akhtar, blew through their order. He took 5 for 22 in just 76 balls as South Africa were bowled for 96 in 49 overs.
The wicket did become better for batting and the Rest of the World took full advantage. Mohammad Yousuf almost hit his 3rd century in 3 innings but was dismissed for 94. Star of the show was Stephen Fleming, who made 205 in just over 7 hours. The World XI plundered runs on a flat pitch and were eventuallly all out for 564 midway through Day 3.
South Africa trailed by 468 runs and had 2 days and a session still to bat. It was an impossible task, even on a good pitch like this one. Half centuries from Gibbs and Smith, and 47 from Kallis delayed the inevitable, but South Africa were all out for 274 near the end of Day 4.
Shoaib Akhtar finished with 7 wickets in the game, but man of the match went to Fleming for his fantastic innings.
South Africa now travel to Australia in an important for both teams, while the Rest of the World will hope to continue their good form against an impressive looking England team.
South Africa 2000s: GC Smith [c]; HH Gibbs; ND McKenzie; AB de Villiers; JH Kallis; MV Boucher [w]; A Nel; M Ntini; PR Adams; DW Steyn; N Boje
World XI 2000s: KC Sangakkara [w]; DPM Jayawardene; SP Fleming; Mohammad Yousuf; S Chanderpaul [c]; WPUJC Vaas; HH Streak; DL Vettori; Shoaib Akhtar; Mushtaq Ahmed; SE Bond
South Africa 2000s 1st Innings 96-10 (48.4 Ov)
JH Kallis 27, Shoaib Akhtar 5-22, Mushtaq Ahmed 3-24, HH Streak 2-20
World XI 2000s 1st Innings 564-10 (164 Ov)
SP Fleming 205, Mohammad Yousuf 94, HH Streak 86, DW Steyn 4-119, N Boje 3-146, PR Adams 2-77
South Africa 2000s 2nd Innings 274-10 (127.4 Ov)
HH Gibbs 60, GC Smith 51, JH Kallis 47, HH Streak 3-57, SE Bond 3-61, Shoaib Akhtar 2-99
World XI 2000s win by an innings and 194 runs
Man of the Match: SP Fleming


Comments
Post a Comment