Gibbs fastest one-day ton for SA eases their victory over Zim

Herschelle Gibbs smashed the fastest one-day international century by a South African to set up a 153-run victory over Zimbabwe on Sunday.

Opener Gibbs scored 125 as South Africa piled up their highest limited overs total of 363 for three from their 50 overs in the first game of the three-match series.

The touring side then restricted Zimbabwe to 210 for five to which Alistair Campbell contributed a defiant 81 off 117 balls with four fours and two sixes.

Gibbs reached his century off 84 balls, beating the South African record of 89 balls set by Nicky Boje against New Zealand at Potchefstroom in 2000-01.

On a day of landmarks, South Africa's total beat their previous best of 328 for three against the Netherlands at the 1996 World Cup in Rawalpindi.

Sunday's score was the joint fifth highest in all one-day internationals, level with England's 363 for seven against Pakistan at Trent Bridge in 1992.

One statistic not so welcome went to paceman Heath Streak, who conceded the most runs by a Zimbabwean in a one-dayer in taking one for 80 off his 10 overs.

Gibbs and Gary Kirsten gave South Africa a lightning start with an opening stand of 153 off 115 balls. It was ended in the 19th over when Kirsten played a sweep shot to leg-spinner Paul Strang and was trapped in front for 66 off 59 balls with nine fours.

Seamed Back
After Kirsten's dismissal, Gibbs and Jacques Kallis added 91 off 103 balls for the second wicket before, in the 36th over, Gibbs was leg before to fast bowler Heath Streak with a delivery that seamed back into the right hander. He made his 125 off 112 balls, with 15 fours and two sixes.

Kallis and Jonty Rhodes then added 102 off 74 balls for the third wicket, a stand that ended in the 48th over when Kallis was caught behind by Flower for 83. He faced 86 deliveries and hit three fours and two sixes.

Rhodes ended with an unbeaten 54, having faced 41 balls and hit four fours and a six.

Zimbabwe bowled poorly on the flat pitch, struggling to settle on a consistent line and length, and sent down seven no balls and 15 wides.

Zimbabwe's woes continued when fast bowler Andre Nel had Dion Ebrahim caught at first slip by Lance Klusener for a duck with the ninth ball of the innings.

In the 13th over, Hamilton Masakadza failed to scramble back to the safety of the crease in time to beat substitute fielder Boeta Dippenaar's throw from mid-off and was run out for 11.

Eleven overs later, Andy Flower chanced Rhodes's arm from backward point and was run out at the bowler's end for 34 to end a third wicket stand of 54 with Campbell.

Campbell was dropped on 50 by Rhodes at short mid-wicket off left arm spinner Claude Henderson, and any hopes Zimbabwe had of pulling off what would have been an astonishing win evaporated with his dismissal in the 37th over.

The former Zimbabwe skipper was deceived by a slower ball from fast bowler Shaun Pollock and fell to a tame return catch, ending a fourth wicket partnership of 60 with Craig Wishart, who scored 45.

Mail Cricket Editor