CRICKET: Taylor stars in Zim fight

Zimbabwe 248 for 9 (Taylor 93, Steyn 4-45, Piedt 4-90) v South Africa)

ZIMBABWE staged a commendable fight back against the number one ranked South Africa on the first day of their one-off Test at Harare Sports Club yesterday.

The hosts, who won the toss and elected to bat on a flat wicket, were on 248-9 by close of play, having recovered from a stuttering start.

This is only the third time, out of eight tries, that Zimbabwe has made 200-plus runs against South Africa in the first innings.

Debutants Donald Tiripano ( 9) and John Nyumbu, yet to score ,were at the crease at close of play.

For the Proteas off-spinner Dane Piedt and paceman Dale Steyn took four wickets each as Zimbabwean captain Brendan Taylor led the fight with 93 runs.

His innings were pivotal in his side’s recovery as the visitors bowled with discipline, with Piedt 4/90 impressive on a debut that saw him become the 19th international cricketer and South Africa’s second to take a wicket with his first ball when he trapped the returnee Mark Vermeulen for 13.

Steyn (4/45), who equaled West Indian great Malcolm Marshall on the top wicket-takers list (246), got wickets at regular intervals.

He removed Vusi Sibanda, caught Petersen at third slip for a duck, in his second over to leave Zimbabwe reeling at 0-1.

Vermeulen walked to the crease for a first Test in ten years and he was tested with some Steyn short balls and also probing lines from Philander before debutant spinner Piedt found turn with his first ball in Tests. Hamilton Masakadza and Taylor guided a slow Zimbabwe to lunch at 64-2.

On resumption, the pair did well to rotate the strike and just when Masakadza looked set to celebrate his 31st birthday with a half century, Piedt found sharp turn to beat the batsman’s defense five shy of a fifty. Three balls later Piedt had Regis Chakabva caught for a duck at short mid-on.

The batsman unsuccessfully argued for a bump ball.

Steyn claimed his second wicket in his first over after lunch, beating the leaden-footed Williams (24), with a fuller delivery that left the hosts wobbling at 120-5.

Taylor , who went on to reach his 11th fifty was joined by Richmond Mutumbami, who endured some nasty Morkel bouncers. However, the pair negotiated their way to tea at 165-5.

They continued with the same momentum in the final session with Taylor getting dropped on 64 on short-leg off Morkel. Steyn trapped Mutumbami (21) LBW to break another promising partnership for 59.

Tinashe Panyangara chased a wide one to give Philander his first wicket that left Zimbabwe at 204-7.

The Mountaineers pair of Donald Tiripano and Tendai Chatara resisted for 26 runs but it was always going to be difficult against the new ball and Chatara (22) eventually knicked a quick one from Steyn.

Play resumes today.