South Africa v Pakistan, 2012-13
Wisden's review of the first ODI, South Africa v Pakistan, 2012-13
15-Apr-2014
At Bloemfontein, March 10, 2013. South Africa won by 125 runs. Toss: Pakistan. One-day international debut: K. J. Abbott.
After being put in on a surface posing little threat, South Africa's batsmen were as meticulous as forensic auditors for all but the final few overs. Smith guardedly defended, while Amla and de Villiers scored at a run a ball - which, for them, seemed pedestrian. Ingram's chanceless century - his third, in only his 19th one-day international - also finished at an even pace, and was an excellent riposte to questions about his temperament. Yet all the while it seemed there could be more. That promise finally materialised in three dreadful overs of long-hops from Shahid Afridi costing 29, and some clever guesswork by Behardien, who launched a series of premeditated swings at Umar Gul. He made clean contact with most of them during his 14-ball 34, ensuring a total above 300. Pakistan attempted a similar approach for much of their reply, but their patience was not rewarded: wickets fell regularly to Kleinveldt's swing, and McLaren's seam movement and well-camouflaged changes of pace. Afridi walloped 34 from 16 balls in an all-too-brief show of defiance, but the result was rarely in doubt.
Man of the Match: C. A. Ingram.
After being put in on a surface posing little threat, South Africa's batsmen were as meticulous as forensic auditors for all but the final few overs. Smith guardedly defended, while Amla and de Villiers scored at a run a ball - which, for them, seemed pedestrian. Ingram's chanceless century - his third, in only his 19th one-day international - also finished at an even pace, and was an excellent riposte to questions about his temperament. Yet all the while it seemed there could be more. That promise finally materialised in three dreadful overs of long-hops from Shahid Afridi costing 29, and some clever guesswork by Behardien, who launched a series of premeditated swings at Umar Gul. He made clean contact with most of them during his 14-ball 34, ensuring a total above 300. Pakistan attempted a similar approach for much of their reply, but their patience was not rewarded: wickets fell regularly to Kleinveldt's swing, and McLaren's seam movement and well-camouflaged changes of pace. Afridi walloped 34 from 16 balls in an all-too-brief show of defiance, but the result was rarely in doubt.
Man of the Match: C. A. Ingram.