Twitter Reactions: South Africa brush aside spirited Zimbabwe to a 1-0 lead

South Africa were deemed to be the firm favourites on the eve of their first ODI against Zimbabwe at Diamond Oval in Kimberley and they showed why with a resounding five-wicket victory. Moreover, the visiting team took a 1-0 lead in the in the three-match series. Hamilton Masakadza’s men tried their hearts out, but unfortunately, their efforts went in vain.

Visitors register their lowest ODI total against Proteas

South Africa won the toss and had no hesitation whatsoever to field first and the decision worked wonders for them for the reason that they were able to restrict Zimbabwe to a paltry score of 117 runs in 34.1 overs. It also turned out to be their lowest score against the Proteas in the 50-overs format. Fast-bowler Lungi Ngidi struck first blood with the wicket of right-handed batsman Solomon Mire.

The second wicket came in the 11th over in the form of Craig Ervine, who was picked up by right-arm speedster Willem Mulder. Thereafter, the visiting team capitulated at an alarming rate as the likes of Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Andile Phehlukwayo, and Imran Tahir didn’t allow them to make a comeback. Elton Chigumbura and Wellington Masakadza showed some resistance, but it was never going to be enough.

Proteas stumble but prevail

The run-chase didn’t start on a great note for JP Duminy and Co as Dean Elgar and Reeza Hendricks were nipped out early by Tendai Chatara and Wellington Masakadza respectively. Before lunch, the hosts lost Aiden Markram, who scored 27 runs, giving Zimbabwe a sniff of an opportunity. After the break, Brandon Mavuta got rid of Christian Jonker to well and truly bring the visitors back into the contest.

However, the stand of 38 runs between Heinrich Klaasen and captain JP Duminy took the sting out of the Zimbabwean bowlers. Klaasen was the aggressor in the partnership, which was broken by Masakadza when he dismissed the wicketkeeper-batsman for 44 runs. Duminy and Willem Mulder scored the remaining runs and took their team home with 143 deliveries to spare.

Here is how Twitter reacted

BREAKING: Sarfraz Ahmed and Pakistan squad arrive in Kimberley.

Attempt will be made to get South Africa off the field so they can play Zimbabwe instead.#SAvZIM #SAvsZIM #Cricket

— CricBlog (@cric_blog) September 30, 2018

#ZIMvSA is a battle of who bats the worst.

— PrinceQ & 89 Others (@089Prince) September 30, 2018

Congratulations to @jpduminy21 for becoming the ninth South African batsman to reach 5,000 ODI runs 👏👏#SAvZIM pic.twitter.com/ZL67DtucH3

— ICC (@ICC) September 30, 2018

It would've been better for Zimbabwe had they considered this match as a T20I and scored some runs at least.#ZIMvSA #ProteaFire#SAvZIM

— Yash Agarwalla (@Yashagarwalla) September 30, 2018

Markram disappoints again, bad form continues.#ZIMvSA

— Vinay Simha (@simhaadriya) September 30, 2018

why they organise such shite tours without any competition #SAvZIM

— lucky (@lucky7777777a) September 30, 2018

There is still time, this series of SA against Zimbabwe should be renamed as #SAveZIM #SAvZIM

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) September 30, 2018

Just here to tell you Proteas have won the match #SAvZIM pic.twitter.com/DadKQpv34x

— 28 September (@MikeCharman01) September 30, 2018

Easy match for the Proteas #SAvZIM pic.twitter.com/GSjTSSxotJ

— Prof.Gee👑 (@Gomolemo_17) September 30, 2018

Zimbabwe have made this game interesting #ZIMVSA

— Aqib Mansoor (@AqibMansoor5) September 30, 2018

117 – Lowest total by Zimbabwe against SA in ODIs#ZIMvSA #SAvZIM

— Mojo Jojo 🏏💙🇮🇳 (@uvsw_24) September 30, 2018

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