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Beforehand the only uncertainty regarding this test match was if it would take 3 or 4 days for the Proteas to beat Zimbabwe. The no1 test team in the world versus the no9 test team in the world was never going to be a tight affair which would b e determined on the afternoon of the 5th day by an ever deteriating pitch.
The bookies would have said the test match would be over in 3 days but what they didn't take into account that the Zim pitch would be a lot like the Zim economy. Not much movement and not much help. The Zimbabwe batsmen also showed that they had nothing to lose by totalling up 250 against the best bowling attack in the world.
Dale Steyn was again the core of the attack by taking another fiver but the big find was the debut of Dane Piedt. He had a brilliant start by taking a wicket with his first ball and ever looked back after that finihing up with 90/4 in the first innings.
The Proteas managed to tally up 397 in response to the 256 from Zimbabwe. What would have made the South African squad also very happy was that they did not have to rely once again on stalwarts AB and Amla. Duminy, De Kock, Faf and Elgar all made very healthy contributions to give the Proteas a healthy frs innings lead.
In the Zim 2nd innings Dane Piedt continued his destruction with figures of 62/4. The 8 wickets he took on debut is a record for a South African spinner. He was well assisted by Steyn and Morkel with 3 wickets a piece. Zim managed only managed 181 in tbe second innings leaving South Africa with only 44 runs to get a resounding 9 wicket victory.
A lot of positives to take away from this victory, the only negative being the lack of form of Alviro Peterson. With Elgar now as he settled and performing replacement for Graeme Smith this might be the perfect oppurtunity to give Stiaan van Zyl a start in the test team.
