South Africa wins despite Flower's heroics

HARARE, SEPT. 11. Andy Flower was left stranded on 199 on Tuesday as South Africa defeated Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the first Test.

South Africa, set 78 to win, scored 79 for one 40 minutes before the scheduled tea interval with Gary Kirsten (31) and Jacques Kallis (42) remaining not out.

Earlier Flower failed by just one run to join an elite group who have scored a double hundred and century in the same Test.

Flower had already made history on Monday by becoming the first wicketkeeper to score a century in each innings of a Test match and on Tuesday he took his overnight total of 138 to 199 in Zimbabwe's second innings total of 391.

The visitors scored 600 for three declared in their first innings, to which Zimbabwe replied with 286 and was asked to follow on.

Flower was at the crease for almost 10 hours in which he faced 470 balls and hit 24 fours and a six. In total, he batted for more than 14 and-a-half hours in the match.

He scored 142 in the first innings, and became the first wicketkeeper and the second Zimbabwean after his brother, Grant, to score centuries in both innings of a Test match.

Zimbabwe resumed on 304 for seven, and erased the deficit in the 10th over of the morning when Flower stroked a four through midwicket off left-arm spinner Claude Henderson.

Three overs later Zimbabwe was 326 for eight when Travis Friend closed the face of his bat in playing forward to a straight delivery from Klusener, bowling off-cutters, and was bowled for 17.

Flower and Ray Price held up South Africa's progress for 31 minutes, until Price prodded at a ball from Klusener and was caught by Neil McKenzie at silly point for four.

Doug Hondo was finally dismissed for six after adding 47 runs for the final wicket with Flower.

Boeta Dippenaar opened South Africa's second innings with Gary Kirsten as regular opener Herschelle Gibbs did not take the field today because of a lower back spasm.

Dippenaar, who did not bat in the first innings, was out first ball when fast bowler Friend trapped him in front.

Flower did not keep wicket after his long innings, in which he sustained a groin strain. He handed his gloves to Alistair Campbell instead and took up a position at first slip.

With the total 29 for one, Kallis, on eight, edged a delivery from fast bowler Heath Streak down the legside to Campbell, who failed to hold the chance.

- Reuters

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : The 199-club
Next     : Bowler loses eye