Loss deflates Utseya's worthy achievement
Zimbabwe's hero of the moment was as improbable as the South African scoreline. Almost always economical but hardly ever incisive, Prosper Utseya's career economy rate has always hovered around four, even as his average inflated towards fifty
Utseya's second spell was of an entirely different complexion, and brought a bounty of five wickets in 36 deliveries • AFP
'Disappointed we didn't win' - Utseya
"I have mixed feelings. I'm happy that I managed to get the wickets and put my team in a strong position. Obviously disappointed that we didn't win the game. Spin is one of our strengths, especially playing at home. We tend to prepare wickets that are slow and that turn. So we'll always try to play to our strengths when we're playing at home.
"I just realised it was one of the key moments during the game, so I decided to go a little more on the attacking side because I could see that I was getting more assistance from the wicket and it was always going to be difficult for the guy coming in to bat. At the time I was bowling a lot slower because I knew that I was on top and I had, I think, four guys around the bat. So if, for example, you get someone out lbw he might have thought you were bowling it quicker but when the next guy comes in you bowl it slower. It also comes with experience: the more you play, the more you learn to vary your pace to your advantage, especially if you're on top.
"I just try and enjoy my cricket. Every time you go out there and play for your country, if you're enjoying it you tend to play better. With freedom."
Liam Brickhill is a freelance journalist based in Cape Town