Clean sweep by South Africa

HARARE, SEPT. 30. South Africa juggled its batting order to give fringe players a chance but still cruised to a six-wicket win in the third and final one-day International against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.

It completed a crushing 3-0 series win for South Africa. But stand-in Zimbabwe captain Guy Whittall said he believed his side could lift its game in a five-match series against England, which starts at the same venue on Wednesday.

``We've had a very hard month (against South Africa) but sometimes after playing a very good side you come out better when you play against a weaker side, as in England,'' said Whittall.

Neil McKenzie played an anchor innings of 69 not out as South Africa overhauled a modest Zimbabwe total of 184 for six with nine overs to spare.

``They bowled very well and backed it up with superb fielding,'' said Whittall as he acknowledged that Zimbabwe's chances plummetted in the first hour of the match, when it could score only 35 runs in the first 15 overs, while the ball was still hard and fielding restrictions were in place.

South Africa made three changes to the side that won the opening two games by 153 and 148 runs. Regular opening batsman Gary Kirsten was rested, while Jacques Kallis and Jonty Rhodes, who both starred in the first two games, were pushed down the batting order.

Herschelle Gibbs, who was named man of the series, gave South Africa another flying start, hammering nine fours in an innings of 39 off 31 balls.

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Section  : Sport
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