Print

Mail

wiki links

Proteas tune up for limited-overs series against Pakistan XI

A.B. de Villiers and Mark Boucher smashed centuries yesterday as South Africa tuned up for the five-match limited-overs series against Pakistan with a huge 176-run victory in a warm-up game against a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) XI.

De Villiers made better than run-a-ball 113 while Boucher, who opened the innings, hit 14 boundaries and a six in scoring 103 off 106 balls as South Africa posted a strong total of 328-4 off their 45 overs.

The PCB XI never looked in the running although Mansoor Amjad (42) made a late charge before they were dismissed for 152 in 31.3 overs.

"A big match is coming up in two days' time and that's where I would like to score," de Villiers said.

"The wicket was quite slow, but our batters still managed to get some good practice," he added.

Medium fast bowlers Charl Langeveldt and Albie Morkel -- flown in for the limited-overs series -- both grabbed three wickets each with none of the PCB XI batsman able to put up a substantial partnership.

Earlier, De Villiers and Boucher put on 165 off 141 balls after paceman Abdur Rauf removed Herschelle Gibbs (18) and J.P. Duminy (0) in the space of three deliveries.

Shaun Pollock -- playing for the first time on the tour after missing both Test matches against Pakistan -- bolstered the total with an unbeaten 33 off 11 balls. He hit four successive sixes and a boundary in the last over off medium-fast bowler Rauf (2-84).

Pollock looked a bit rusty when he came on to bowl and conceded 38 runs in his five overs that included six wide deliveries.
This story has been viewed 957 times.