South Africa A claim first day's honours

Zimbabwe Select 223 for 7 (Sibanda 68, Taibu 56*, Hall 3-29) v South Africa A
Scorecard

South Africa A restricted Zimbabwe Select to 223 for 7 to claim the first day's honours in the four-day match at the Harare Sports Club.

Zimbabwe, who won the toss, got off to a poor start when they lost the out-of-form Tino Mawoya, nicking Charl Langeveldt to Thami Tsolekile for 9, and then Andre Nel removed Chamu Chibhabha for 18 when he skied an attempted pull to give Tsolekile his second catch.

Zimbabwe were wobbling on 31 for 2 but Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda resurrected the innings with an 89-run third-wicket stand which Andrew Hall ended when he had Masakadza caught at gully by Johan Botha for 40.

By then Sibanda, who had struggled since returning from Australia, had brought up his fifty with some authoritative drives, and with Tatenda Taibu also in good touch, Zimbabwe were eying a good score.

But then Hall struck. Sibanda survived a confident leg-before appeal only to be trapped in front for 68 off the next delivery, and soon after Stuart Matsikenyeri aimed a wild slash and Tsolekile took his third catch. Paul Harris then got into the action when he had Prosper Utseya lbw for 9. From 165 for 3 Zimbabwe Select had slipped to 205 for 6.

Taibu remained, bringing up his fifty shortly before the close with a classy cut off Botha, but Langeveldt had the last laugh as he clean bowled Timycen Maruma with the final ball of the day.

As long as Taibu remains at the crease, Zimbabwe have a chance to close in on 300, but the tail is notoriously fragile and he cannot expect too much support. Nevertheless, today's performance is a marked improvement on Zimbabwe's dire showings against India A.