OTD: De Villiers powers Proteas to Zimbabwe sweep
On this day in 2007, AB de Villiers struck a superb century as the Proteas completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep against Zimbabwe in Harare.
De Villiers hammered 107 off 89 balls to lead South Africa to 323-9 after captain Graeme Smith elected to bat first.
The wicketkeeper-batter struck eight fours and six sixes during a match-defining 186-run partnership with Albie Morkel.
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Morkel narrowly missed his maiden ODI century, scoring 97 off 104 deliveries with eight fours and four sixes.
Zimbabwe responded strongly as Vusi Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza shared a 76-run opening stand. Sibanda made 41, while Masakadza contributed 48.
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Tatenda Taibu then kept the hosts in contention with an unbeaten 107 off 103 balls. He added 109 for the third wicket with Brendan Taylor, who scored 42.
However, Zimbabwe lost wickets at crucial stages and finished on 295-7, handing South Africa a 28-run victory.
Johan van der Wath was the Proteas’ leading wicket-taker with 2-50. Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Morne Morkel and Thandi Tshabalala claimed one wicket each.
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De Villiers was named player of the match and player of the series after playing important innings throughout the tour.
The Proteas had won the opening ODI by five wickets before an eight-wicket victory in the second match secured the series. Their triumph in Harare completed a convincing clean sweep.
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