Recalled J.P. Duminy scored a maiden one-day century as South Africa answered the call of coach Mickey Arthur with a 212-run thrashing of Zimbabwe at SuperSport Park on Tuesday.
Arthur demanded greater all-round ruthlessness after his team took much longer than expected to complete a 45-run victory on Sunday in the first encounter.
South Africa were put into bat and ran riot in the afternoon sun to compile 331-5 off 50 overs before bowling Zimbabwe out for 119 after 34.3 overs and completing a 2-0 series win.
The Proteas used the mini-series against their northern neighbors to warm up for a tour by England that begins tomorrow and includes Twenty20, ODI and Test fixtures.
“It was a very good performance and you have to be happy after winning by more than 200 runs. Now we look forward to the challenges posed by England, “ South Africa skipper Graeme Smith said. “We are not the finished article and must keep working. We do not see the England series as a chance to settle personal scores, but rather as a new challenge and we must just focus on our game.”
Duminy, a 25-year-old left-hand batsman from Cape Town came in at No. 4 and tormented the visiting attack to finish unbeaten on 111 after facing 87 balls in 126 minutes.
His record score included nine fours and two sixes in a virtual risk-free stand as South Africa bettered the 295 runs scored against the one-day minnows in Benoni.
“I just hope I can take this form into the England series. I missed the first Zimbabwe game as a precaution because of shin splints, but I’m fine although there is still a little pain,” Duminy said.
■SRI LANKA V INDIA
AFP, MUMBAI
Heavy rains lashing Mumbai washed out the first day’s play in the three-day match between touring Sri Lanka and the Indian board president’s XI yesterday.
The bad weather caused by an approaching cyclone on India’s west coast threatens to wipe out the entire game, Sri Lanka’s only practice match before the Test series starts next week.
Sri Lanka are due to play three Tests, two Twenty20 matches and five one-day internationals on the seven-week tour.
The first Test opens in Ahmedabad on Monday.
■AUSTRALIA V INDIA
REUTERS, MUMBAI
The final one-day international between Australia and India was washed out yesterday without a ball being bowled.
Australia, who had trailed India 2-1 in the seven-match series, clinched victory on Sunday with a six-wicket win to take a 4-2 lead.
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