ICC World Twenty20: Day 3 round up

South Africa eliminate Zimbabwe

20/9/12- South Africa 94-0 12.4 overs (Levi 50* ) beat Zimbabwe 93-8 20 overs (Ervine 37, Kallis 4-15) by 10 wickets @ Hambantota

South Africa have easily beaten Zimbabwe by 10 wickets in Hambantota, knocking Alan Butcher’s side out of the competition in the process. AB de Villiers stuck Zimbabwe in on a pitch that had a green tinge to it, and they included Farhaan Behardien in the side for just his second T20 international. Zimbabwe made one change from their defeat to Sri Lanka, with former Worcestershire bowler Ray Price coming in for Mpofu.

Zimbabwe lost opener Sibanda in the second over to Morne Morkel, before star player and captain Brendon Taylor capped off a miserable couple of games for him when Morkel had him caught behind. They really struggled against the pure pace and quality of the South  African attack, and it was Morne’s brother, Albie, who quickly removed the other opener, Masakadza, as Zimbabwe were 3 down for just 16.

Ervine and Matsikenyeri put on some sort of recovery, but it never looked like it would last long, and with the score on 51, Kallis had the latter caught by Robin Peterson. Kallis then trapped Chigumbura first ball, before having Cremer caught behind two overs later, as Zimbabwe looked as if they would struggle to get to 100.

Dale Steyn then got his first wicket, as de Villiers held onto a great catch off Utseya’s glove down the leg side, before Kallis picked up his 4^th, as the man who was by far the top scorer, Ervine, was caught behind for a well made 37. Kallis couldn’t pick up a 5^th, but he did stop Zimbabwe from reaching 100, and South Africa already scented victory, and qualification to the next round.

England's nemesis of the summer Hashim Amla opened up with the big hitter Richard Levi, and they got their side off to a flier, reaching 38  off the first 4 overs.

They continued to tick along at almost 10 an over, as Zimbabwe's fate was all but sealed.

And inside 13 overs, South Africa had won with Levi finishing on an unbeaten off 43 balls, and Alan Butchers side were knocked out.

A very professional performance from the South Africans, playing similar to the way they have done all summer, with that ruthless streak. But Alan Butcher will be disappointed that is side haven't performed better in this competition, and it must have been one of the quickest exits to a competition in a while, as most of the teams haven't even played one game yet. However, they will come back a better team, and with regards to South Africa, they look a very good outfit.

Man of the match- Jacques Kallis for his 4-15. He tore apart the Zimbabwe middle order, and looks as good as ever.