Rain has the final say as South Africa, Zimbabwe share points despite de Kock onslaught
South Africa were ahead of the five-over DLS par for no wickets lost, but had only faced three overs when rain ended the game
South Africa should have had one, and could have had both Zimbabwe openers run-out at the end of the first over when Regis Chakabva mishit Kagiso Rabada back to him and was called through for a run from Craig Ervine. Chakabva answered the call as Rabada gathered and threw wildly, and wide, of de Kock behind the stumps. Ervine was still midway down the pitch and South Africa composed themselves enough to throw the ball down to the non-striker's end, where Tristan Stubbs was backing up. The ball skirted past him and Ervine found his ground while Rabada giggled at the shenanigans.
A nine-over innings can only be approached in one way: swing. And that's what Zimbabwe did. Or at least tried to do. Chakabva is still searching for his touch after scores of 0, 13 and 4 in the opening round and was tentative against Rabada but Ervine heaved at the first two deliveries he faced from Parnell before toe-ending a catch to Lungi Ngidi at mid-on. Chakabva showed some intent when he sent Ngidi over deep midwicket but Ngidi quickly dragged his length back and had Chakabva nicking off off the next ball. Zimbabwe sent in Sikandar Raza early but he could not continue his stunning run. He top-edged a short ball high and almost over de Kock's head, but the South Africa keeper timed his jump well and snatched it with one hand. Zimbabwe's three-over powerplay brought only 14 runs for the loss of three wickets.
Things went from bad to worse for Zimbabwe when they slumped to 19 for 4 and the match appeared in danger of becoming a complete blow-out. But Madhevere, who was shifted down to No.5 to make space for the big hitters at the top, combined with Milton Shumba to give Zimbabwe's attack something to defend. The pair put on 59 runs in five overs, which included 17 runs off Rabada's second over, which Madhevere used to show his class. He sent Rabada over mid-wicket for six, then cleverly uppercut a slower bouncer over de Kock's head for four and then cut a short, wide delivery past backward point for four more. Madhevere finished with an unbeaten 35 runs off 18 balls, at a strike rate of 194.44.
If Zimbabwe thought they had something to work with, de Kock quickly showed them it was not nearly as much as they thought. He tucked into Tendai Chatara's first over, which he plundered for 23 runs. De Kock moved across his stumps to hit the first ball over short fine leg for four, then pulled a short ball in front of square for four more and then top-edged the third delivery high but safely. His best shot was off the fourth ball, which he swung over long-on, before another pull through deep square leg. De Kock was going for the full house and pulled the final delivery but only managed to glove it for a single.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent