AB, Hashim Amla and Rusty Theron Help South Africa Subdue Zimbabwe in 2nd ODI

Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers both scored brilliant centuries but they had to give second best to Rusty Theron who picked up a maiden man of the match award in only his second ODI for the Proteas Standard Bank squad at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom, on Sunday.

ab de villiers hashim amla

The Proteas won by 8 wickets with 66 balls to spare in the second of three MTN ODI matches, thus reducing the final game on Friday at Sahara Park Willowmoore to ‘dead rubber’ status.

But, if the Proteas continue to entertain the way they did on Sunday, then fans are in for some very positive cricket.

South African cricket can certainly take a lot of heart that the first two man of the match awards in this series have gone to the two new caps, Colin Ingram (a century on debut) and now to Theron (5/44). He has now taken 8 wickets in his first two ODIs.

De Villiers’ centuries are almost taken for granted these days but to get there in only 72 balls remains a stunning achievement. His first 50 came off 37 balls and included only 8 dot balls. The World No. 1 has taken his game to a new level with the ease with which he manipulates opposing bowlers into gaps in between hitting regular boundaries.

He needed to hit a six off the last ball of the 39th over to reach his century before he and JP Duminy ran out of runs to chase and nobody doubted he would do that. He responded beautifully with his 5th six to go with his 5 fours. He and Amla put on a remarkable 139 for the second wicket in only 20 overs.

It is almost a forgotten fact that Amla was not in the South African limited overs squad for the tour of India back in February and March. He only got his chance when Graeme Smith suffered a broken hand and has not looked back since.

In 9 successive matches against India (2), West Indies (5) and Zimbabwe (2) he has scored 4 centuries (a career total of 5), a 92, 87 and three comparative ‘failures’ of 45, 34 and 32. His ODI career average is now touching 58 and his strike rate is virtually a run a ball.

Zimbabwe were outclassed as the Proteas bowled them out for the first time on tour with only Tatenda Taibu (78 off 90 balls, 4 fours and a six) holding them at bay for any length of time. In-form Brendan Taylor and Justice Chibhabha put on a promising 59 for the first wicket in 12 overs before Theron struck twice in 2 balls.

They are nevertheless unrecognizable from the weak outfit that toured South Africa two years ago and it will be interesting to see how they measure themselves against other full member nations of the ICC in the months ahead.