Match-winner McKenzie praises Zimbabwe bowlers

Neil McKenzie praised Zimbabwe's bowlers after guiding South Africa to a six-wicket win with nine overs to spare in the third one-day international on Sunday.

McKenzie scored 69 not out, including 11 fours, as South Africa totalled 188 for four in 41 overs replying to Zimbabwe's mediocre 184 for six.

"It wasn't an easy track and I think the Zimbabwe bowlers used it quite nicely," McKenzie told reporters.

"Zimbabwe are quite effective in that they bowl slower balls and cutters and that sort of stuff. So you struggle to score and it's not like you're going to bash them through the covers too often.

The result earned South Africa a 3-0 series win to go with their 1-0 victory in the two-test series.

McKenzie and Justin Ontong, who made 32, put the innings back on track with a fourth-wicket stand of 64 after South Africa had lost three wickets in the space of 15 balls and been reduced to 67 for three.

"I thought Justin played a good knock and took the game to them," McKenzie said.

South Africa coach Graham Ford was pleased his team had attained their goals for the tour.

"We've achieved what we set out to do," Ford told reporters. "You've got to play one situation at a time, and we've come through various situations in Zimbabwe in test cricket and one- day cricket very well."

South Africa return home on Monday to play in a triangular series against India and Kenya, which Ford knows will present new challenges.

"We go into a whole new situation when we get home and I think everybody's aware that it's going to require turning it up a notch or two," Ford said. "We're trying to work on not worrying about the opposition, the state of the series or anything like that - but to really work on our disciplines and skill levels."

McKenzie was named man-of-the-match, while South African opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs was man-of-the-series for his aggregate of 233 runs at an average of 77.67.

Mail Cricket Editor