De Villiers proud of de Kock, du Plessis

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Cricket365
August 18, 2014

Captain AB de Villiers delighted in an "exceptional batting performance", as South Africa trounced Zimbabwe by 93 runs in Sunday's first ODI at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

The Proteas romped to a formidable total of 309 for three on the back of a century from opener Hashim Amla, fine half-tons from the left-handed Quinton de Kock and right-handed Faf du Plessis.

Three wickets apiece from spinners Aaron Phanigso and Imran Tahir later resigned the hosts to an insufficient 216 all out. Seamer Wayne Parnell, meanwhile, was instrumental in removing the dangerous Vusi Sibanda and half-centurion Sean Williams.

"There were talks of 250 at one point and even Hashim said when he came off that he never thought we would get to 300-plus. I thought it was a great batting performance, it was set up by the man himself with Quinton and Faf batting around him," said de Villiers.

"It shows you that we are quite dangerous with wickets in hand in the last 10 to 15 overs. I thought we were good in the field as well. It is easy to go into a situation where you lose your energy and focus, especially after the first 15 overs where we started well. I thought the boys stuck to their guns quite well, we kept taking wickets and stuck to our skills, it was all round a good 100 or so overs for us."

The in-form Amla was named Man of the Match on the back of an entertaining 122 off 132 deliveries, including six fours and a trio of handsome sixes. He and de Kock added 109 runs inside 21 overs for the first wicket, before du Plessis and company continued the charge.

"I think we complement each other quite well. Quinton, he is a fun batsman to bat with and, often if he gets to a good start, I am able to play my natural game," concluded Amla. ODIs two and three will be hosted at the same venue on Tuesday and Thursday.