South Africa win easily, enter plate final

South Africa defeated Zimbabwe by eight wickets on Tuesday to make it to the Plate Championship final, where they will play Bangladesh.

Requiring 180 runs for victory at 3.59 runs an over, the South African openers, Smith (82) and Puttick (37) ran away it with an opening stand of 117 runs in 131 balls.

In the morning the Zimbabweans, deciding to bat first after calling the toss correctly, lost wickets at regular intervals in the face of some very disciplined bowling by the South Africans. Off-spinner V. Abrahams was particularly impressive, bowling his ten overs on the trot to finish with 2-33.

The only resistance from Zimbabwe was a fine fourth wicket partnership of 100 in 145 balls by Ervine and Greg Lamb.