Masakadza surprised by inconsistent Kimberley pitch
Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza says he and his team were surprised at how the pitch played in Kimberley after suffering a five-wicket defeat against the Proteas in the first match of the ODI series on Sunday.
The visitors were sent in to bat by home captain JP Duminy and were bundled out for just 117 in 34.1 overs on a surface that had inconsistent bounce and made life difficult for batsmen of both teams.
The Proteas also struggled to adjust to the pitch as they reached their target in the 27th over but for the loss of five scalps.
REPORT: Ngidi on song but Proteas labour to ODI win over Zimbabwe
Masakadza had said at the toss that he was undecided as to what to do but that his batsmen just had to see off the new ball and things would get easier.
However it was not be as the visitors dealt with some deliveries that jumped from a length and kept low at times as the Proteas bowlers took full advantage of the conditions.
The Zimbabwe skipper said after the game: “We were a bit surprised by the pitch. We felt it would do a bit in the morning but it did more than that.
“The guys tried to knuckle down but couldn’t. Another 50-60 runs would have been better.
“The guys started really well with the ball, but the main thing is to get more runs on the board from here.”
Masakadza will hope for a better performance from his team in the second game of the three-match series which takes place in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.