SA Zim ODI 1: Proteas' Young Lions, Ingram (With Century) and Miller, Show Their Mettle

The Proteas’ two young left-handed Lions grabbed their opportunity with both hands to play spectacular roles in their side’s 64 runs victory over Zimbabwe in the opening MTN ODI at the OUTsurance Oval, Bloemfontein, on Friday evening.

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Not that it was by any means a two-man show but Colin Ingram and David Miller gave the national selectors just the confirmation they wanted for including them in the Standard Bank squads for the series of ODIs against Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

Ingram became the first South African and the 6th player of all time on a distinguished list of Desmond Haynes, Dennis Amiss, Andy Flower, Salim Elahi and Martin Guptill to score a century on ODI debut, going on to make 124 off 126 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes. Only Haynes (148) has done better.

Miller made his maiden half-century off only 30 balls (5 fours and 2 huge sixes) and more importantly gave indication that the Proteas have found another power hitter in the same left-handed mould as Lance Klusener and Albie Morkel.

A lot of questions have been asked about the ability of the Proteas’ middle order to dominate and Ingram and Miller provided an adequate answer with a stand of 76 in 7.4 overs.

Ingram would be the first to admit that he owed a great deal to Hashim Amla who guided him through the formative stages of his innings both with sage advice and a regular flow of boundaries that meant there was not too much pressure on his younger partner.

Amla reached his 50 off 32 balls and, when he reached his fourth century off 87 balls (14 fours), there must have been thoughts that he could match Sachin Tendulkar and go on to a double century. It was not to be when he became the first of two run outs in the innings (it looked the only way he was going to be dismissed!).

It was nevertheless his 3rd century in his last 6 ODIs (he has also has a score of 92 during that period and a lowest score of 32).

Amla and Ingram laid the foundation and then Ingram and Miller provided the power to take the Proteas to a more than formidable 351/6.

Zimbabwe made a spirited response as they have done throughout this tour and were well on the pace through the first two power plays as Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor helped themselves to most of the 11 boundaries during that period and also impressed with smart running between the wickets.

But the Zimbabwean middle-order did not have the power to support Taylor once Masakadza had been dismissed and the former was left to run a one-man show.

Taylor was not to be denied a well deserved third career century (145 not out off 136 balls with 12 fours) but by the time the batting power play was taken the visitors needed 15 runs to the over and that had soared to 23 five overs later.

Captain Graeme Smith described both the bowling and fielding as much improved on the efforts in the Standard Bank Pro20 series. Johan Botha took 2/41 in his 10 overs while Rusty Theron, like Ingram a debutant in this format of the game, picked up 3 wickets.

Theron is incidentally the 100th player to be chosen for the Proteas in the ODI arena since Clive Rice earned the first cap on November 10, 1991.

The second MTN ODI takes place at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom, on Sunday (9.30am start) and Smith hinted that there might be changes to give every member of the squad an opportunity.

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