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SA win 2 - 0 SA gains 6 points; ZIM loses 6 points
Draw 1 - 1 ZIM gains 9 points; SA loses 9 points
ZIM win 2 - 0 ZIM gains 24 points; SA loses 24 points
Cape Town
04 - 05 March 2005
Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first.� South Africa immediately went on a rampage that ended with Zimbabwe all out for 54 runs just after lunch in 31.2 overs.� Matsikenyeri (12) was the only batsmen to reach double figures as Zimbabwe lowered their national record for a worst ever Test innings by nine runs from that set in 2000 against West Indies.� Kallis was the most successful bowler with 4 for 13 off 7.2 overs.� South Africa began their reply and batted through to tea without loss with 91 runs on the board.� After posting his eighth Test century, Smith (121) was first out half way through the evening session at 1 for 217.� Zimbabwe then caught de Villiers (98) at 2 for 234.� However, despite losing Kallis (54) late in the session, South Africa ended the day in complete control at 3 for 340.� With a lead of 286 runs, South Africa held the very real opportunity to declare overnight and still win by an innings on the second day.
Indeed, South Africa did declare overnight and Zimbabwe began batting first thing on the second morning. Cremer took all three of the South African wickets at the rather expensive rate of 86 runs off only nine overs. Zimbabwe made a better start to their second innings, adding 25 runs before Matsikenyeri (13) was caught. After doubling their score, Zimbabwe lost Rogers (28) at 2 for 59. Zimbabwe then batted through to lunch without further loss to be 2 for 95. The third wicket partnership was Zimbabwe's best, adding a total of 98 runs before Masakadza (46) was out at 3 for 157. Thereafter, the match degenerated into farce, with Taylor (9), Taibu (9) and Chigumbura (0) all being caught before Zimbabwe went to tea at 6 for 186. After tea, South Africa dismissed Ebrahim (72), Streak (12), Cremer (2) and Blignaut (61) to have Zimbabwe all out for 265 runs. South Africa's margin of victory, on the second day, was an innings and 21 runs in what was the eleventh shortest Test in history.
Second Test
Centurion
11 - 13 March 2005
South Africa won the toss and elected to field first.� The decision paid immediate dividends after Rogers (7) and Matsikenyeri (12) were out in the first hour with the score 2 for 22.� However, Zimbabwe then fought back and took the total to 71 before Masakadza (26) and Taylor (4) were out shortly before lunch, when the score was 4 for 96.� After Zimbabwe took the total to 115 runs, South Africa made a triple breakthrough with Ebrahim (37), Taibu (14) and Chigumbura (0) out in successive overs without adding to the scoreboard.� However, injuries then plagued three of the South African front line bowlers and Zimbabwe managed to resurrect their innings.� Zimbabwe batted through to tea to be 7 for 189.� Zimbabwe lost Blignaut (52) at 8 for 191 before carrying on for most of the evening session until Streak (85) and Cremer (12) were dismissed in the space of five runs to see Zimbabwe all out for a credible 269 runs.� Kallis was the best of the bowlers with 4 for 33 off 13 overs.� South Africa faced three overs before stumps, with the score 0 for 13.
South Africa set a rocketing pace on the second morning, scoring at almost six runs per over before Smith (41) fell at 1 for 93 and then de Villiers (47) was caught 13 runs later.� By lunch, South Africa had almost halved the lead at 2 for 126.� During the afternoon session, Zimbabwe managed to dismiss Rudolph (12), Gibbs (47) and Boucher (18) and by tea, South Africa was 5 for 239 with the deficit reduced to only 30 runs.� Zimbabwe bowled Kallis (58) in the final hour of play before Prince posted his maiden Test century.� At stumps, South Africa was in control at 6 for 380.�
South Africa took the total to 480 on the third morning before Boje (82) was bowled and the innings declared with Prince not out on 139 runs.� Cremer was the best of the bowlers with 3 for 106 off 26.5 overs.� Zimbabwe was faced with a deficit of 211 runs and faced five overs before going to lunch at 2 for 13, with Rogers (5) and Ebrahim (0) the men out.� South Africa continued to dismantle Zimbabwe through the afternoon session, starting with Matsikenyeri (47) straight after lunch and followed by Taylor (6) and Taibu (13) before Zimbabwe staggered off to tea at 5 for 84, still 127 runs in arrears.� Zimbabwe lost Masakadza (47) straight after tea before Zimbabwe steadied and batted for an hour without further loss, taking the total to 143 runs.� However, South Africa then swung into overdrive and dismissed Streak (16), Chigumbura (44), Blignaut (0) and Cremer (0) in the space of six runs and 16 balls to win by an innings and 62 runs.� Zondeki was the best of the bowlers with 6 for 39 off 14.3 overs, his first five-for in only his second Test.
