Psychologically renewed

It was too much to expect Zimbabwe to repeat their upset victory of Thursday over England, but at least they put up a very creditable performance against South Africa, going down in the end by 46 runs. At midway point in both innings, indeed, Zimbabwe could be said to have had a slight advantage, but they did not have the strength in depth to press it home.

For a while, Zimbabwe's seamers pegged South Africa back as they had done against England on Thursday. But the turning point came when Andrew Hall was promoted in the order to move the score along. He did so superbly, and it was at this point that Zimbabwe slowly began to lose their grip. The bowling, greatly improved on earlier in the tour, was still not strong enough to bowl out international teams in the right frame of mind.

The ground fielding was generally very good, but Douglas Hondo had a nightmare in the field: three difficult chances, and he put all of them down. Tatenda Taibu also uncharacteristically missed a stumping against Hall, and these chances proved expensive.

273 seemed an unassailable target. But again the Zimbabweans showed they are a new team - mentally and psychologically. Despite the early loss of Douglas Marillier, Dion Ebrahim and Travis Friend shared a superb second-wicket partnership that put their team well on course for what would have been their largest successful run-chase in one-day cricket.

Friend in particular was magnificent. He had been used with success as a pinch-hitter before, but now with the loss of Stuart Carlisle and the refusal of the selectors to send out an experienced batsman as a replacement, he had to take on the No. 3 position because there was virtually nobody else. But he handed the dangerous South African pace attack of Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini superbly. He did twice escape what would have been brilliant catches had they been taken from skyed shots over mid-off, but it was a pity he was out for 82, short of what would have been a well-deserved century.

While Friend was in, Zimbabwe were ahead according to Duckworth-Lewis, but his dismissal was the beginning of the end of their chase. With 15 overs left, more than eight runs an over were needed - nine when Stuart Matsikenyeri was brilliantly run out - and unless Streak or Blignaut went absolutely moggy, there was no way this could be done.

But Blignaut was caught by the cover sweeper for 6 and Streak popped an easy catch to mid-on - and that was that, with the required rate now above 10. But at least Zimbabwe were thoroughly competitive, and that virtue had looked highly unlikely a few days earlier. Zimbabwe are on their way up again, but no doubt, as usual, there will be many a stumble along the way.