S Africa claim series clean sweep

One-day international, Port Elizabeth: Zimbabwe 206-8 lost to South Africa 207-5 by five wickets
South Africa win series 3-0

Full scorecard

Kemp rode his luck to take the game away from Zimbabwe

Heath Streak's comeback match for Zimbabwe was a losing one as South Africa claimed a series whitewash with a five-wicket win in Port Elizabeth.

Zimbabwe, who won the toss, slumped to 35-5 before Streak top-scored with 68 to lead them to 208-6.

South Africa's reply looked to be in poor shape on 79-4 after Streak had removed AB de Villiers early on.

But Justin Kemp struck an unbeaten 78 off 81 balls, with four sixes, to guide the hosts home in the 47th over.

Kemp rode his luck after surviving a clear-cut caught-behind appeal first ball, while Zimbabwe did themselves no favours by twice dropping him.

They also put down a chance off Ashwell Prince, who went on to add 59 runs for the fifth wicket with Kemp in a crucial partnership.

Streak, who refused to play after being sacked as captain last April, only signed a new contract on Friday and was immediately flown to South Africa.

He replaced batsman Alester Maregwede, and the urgency of his inclusion meant there was not even time to print his name on the back of his shirt.

Streak happy with comeback

Graeme Smith's ankle injury handed Nicky Boje the captaincy of South Africa for the first time, while the home side were also without Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel.

But their second-string attack was still too good for Zimbabwe's top-order, with the swing of Charl Langeveldt (2-40) and the pace of Monde Zondeki (2-46) ripping out Zimbabwe's top four, all to catches.

De Villiers' direct hit then sent Tatenda Taibu on his way, bringing Streak to the crease with his team languishing.

But he shared in two key stands to spare Zimbabwe's blushes, putting on 67 runs with Brendan Taylor (41) and 88 in 92 balls with Gavin Ewing, who hit a career-best 46.

Streak and Taylor used up almost 20 overs to take Zimbabwe into triple figures before Taylor, who had hit two boundaries, spooned Adam Bacher to Kemp at long-off.

Streak found an able partner in Ewing, and the pair helped themselves to some easy runs off Albie Morkel, whose eight overs leaked 54 runs.

There was some joy for Morkel when he yorked Ewing to end a bright 53-ball effort, and on the penultimate ball of the innings Streak fell to a run-out.

I think with a full team available Zimbabwe would be very handy - they would give anyone a game especially in Tests From WY Have your say on TMS

But his 13th one-day fifty, which included five boundaries and came off 105 balls, was stark reminder of what Zimbabwe have been missing.

South Africa's reply started poorly when De Villiers edged Streak behind in the third over, and Chris Mpofu followed up with the removal of Bacher (bowled) in the 10th.

Jacques Rudolph (33) and Herschelle Gibbs (21) both got starts, but Tawanda Mupariwa produced a dazzling spell of seam bowling to oust them and hand keeper Taibu two more catches.

South Africa should have been five down next ball when Kemp apparently edged behind, and South Africa grew in confidence when Sean Williams failed to grasp a return chance with the batsman on 21.

Ewing committed an identical indiscretion to reprieve Prince, and Kemp was given another life when Williams put down a sharp chance at deep midwicket in the 39th over.

The run-out of Prince did nothing to slow Kemp down and he was joined by Mark Boucher to deliver the telling blow to Zimbabwe, who looked sharper for Streak's return - but still vulnerable nonetheless.

South Africa: A M Bacher, A B de Villiers, J A Rudolph, H H Gibbs A G Prince, J M Kemp, J A Morkel, M V Boucher (Wkt), N Boje (Capt) C K Langeveldt, M Zondeki.

Zimbabwe: S Matsikenyeri, B G Rogers, H Masakadza, B R M Taylor T Taibu (Capt, Wkt), S C Williams, H H Streak, G M Ewing, T Mupariwa C B Mpofu, P Utseya.