Colin Ingram makes big century on South Africa debut

First one-day international, Kimberley:
South Africa 351-6 (50 ovs) bt Zimbabwe 287-6 (50 ovs) by 64 runs
Match scorecard

Ingram excelled with the bat

Colin Ingram made the second best score in a one-day international debut to lead South Africa to a 64-run win in the first match against Zimbabwe.

Ingram made 124, and Hashim Amla 110, as South Africa powered to an imposing 351-6, before the visitors reached 287-6 attempting a difficult chase.

The left-handed Ingram, 25, from the Eastern Cape, hit eight fours and two sixes in his 126-ball effort.

However, Brendan Taylor hit an unbeaten 145 in a losing cause for Zimbabwe.

Taylor scored 12 boundaries from 136 balls in a day-night match that favoured the batsmen.

But the night will be remembered chiefly for the effort of Ingram, who narrowly failed to overhaul the 148 from West Indies great Desmond Haynes against Australia in his first ODI, back in 1978.

Shingirai Masakadza took 4-86 for a Zimbabwe team that included veteran batsman Grant Flower in his first international match in six years.

Ingram was dropped by Sean Williams at long-on when he was on 106, and was finally bowled by Shingirai Masakadza (4-86) in the 48th over.

Flower, 39, registered figures of 0-23 and was out for 13.

South Africa's bowling was not distinguished, as Taylor produced a battling response even though Zimbabwe did not threaten to overhaul the hosts.

Two ODIs remain in the series.