Zimbabwe crash out with huge loss in T20

Friday, September 21, 2012 - Hambantota—If Australia’s victory over Ireland can be called routine for a bigger nation against a smaller one, then South Africa’s over Zimbabwe was surgically clinical, almost coldly so. After limiting their neighbours to their second-lowest total in T20 cricket, South Africa chased down the target inside 13 overs.

With some assistance for the seamers, Dale Steyn was able to scare the Zimbabwe batsmen with swing and pace while Morne Morkel intimidated them further, combining

bounce and intermittent use of the full ball. But it was Jacques Kallis who broke the back of Zimbabwe’s batting with discipline, variation and supreme experience as he took four wickets to send Zimbabwe home red-faced.

They exit the tournament having lost both their matches, which may have been expected but the manner in which they fell would have left them disappointed. Far from putting up the fight they promised, Zimbabwe could not even aim a punch at their opponents’ body. Their batting, in particular, was an indication of the importance of regular cricket, something Zimbabwe have sorely lacked.

After their first five overs against South Africa, Zimbabwe looked in danger of not lasting 20, as they teetered on 17 for 3. Kallis had not bowled a ball at that stage. Morkel offered Vusi Sibanda three balls short of a length and then bowled one fuller. Sibanda was on his back foot, anticipating more of the short stuff, and missed the drive to have his bails removed.—AP