South Africa vs Zimbabwe, 1st ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: Zimbabwe tour of South Africa, 2018 Venue: Diamond Oval, Kimberley Date & Time: Sep 30, 10:00 AM LOCAL

South Africa won the first ODI by 5 wickets © Getty

Zimbabwe had come to South Africa hoping for a better day on the field but it was not to be, largely due to their batting. They would hope for a friendlier batting wicket to allow their true skills to come to the fore. As for now, it's a 1-0 series lead for South Africa. South Africa too may not have been completely impressed by how they approached the chase, making heavy weather of a small chase. The way Jonker and Klaasen threw their wickets away would also be worth looking at. Let's see how the two teams come for the next game. Till then, Ciao!

And matter of formality it was. Zimbabwe had done well to put pressure on South Africa before the Lunch break. But thereafter, they never had the momentum in their favour. South Africa rode to a comfortable five-wicket win.

WICKET! and just as Klaasen wanted to have a feast, he ends up slogging Wellington to the deep mid wicket fielder. He is disappointed with himself. He has missed out on a chance to score a fifty. The approach of the South Africans has been highly surprising today. These are massive opportunities for them to make a case for themselves and seal a spot in the side once the regulars return. Victory, with respect to the match, is a matter of formality from hereon.

Sixes have come late but there are a few coming as the match heads towards the end. Heinrich Klassen has pulled Hamilton Masakadza over the boundary twice in two balls.

5000 ODI runs for JP Duminy.The southpaw becomes only the ninth South African to reach the landmark.

WICKET! It might not be the easiest wickets to bat on, but don't look at Christiaan Jonker's dismissal to see how you should bat. Watch it to see how not to throw away an opportunity, especially on debut. The debutant goes for a horror slog, with the bat nowhere close to the body and gets caught at mid wicket. Mavuta bags his maiden ODI wicket. 58/4.

The innings has resumed and South Africa are off the blocks quickly. Heinrich Klaasen has resorted to attack and helped South Africa past the 50-run mark.

Jonker, along with, Klaasen, has seen through the dying minutes before the Lunch break without any further damage. 45 for 3.

Christiaan Jonker, on debut, walks out to bat.

...but well, the story doesn't end there. Chatara has the last laugh. Markram mistimes to the fielder at mid off. Third wicket down.

BIG MOMENT: Tendai Chatara dismissed Aiden Markram, the batsman who was imposing himself on the visitors... only to find out that the bowler had overstepped. Would've been such a massive wicket, such a massive moment going to Lunch. In this small run chase, there is very little scope for errors.

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After being kept on the backfoot for most parts of the first three overs by Ngidi and Rabada, Hamilton Masakadza latches on to a full pitched delivery and powerfully cover-drives Rabada for a boundary.

Hamilton Masakadza and Solomon Mire have walked out to open the innings for Zimbabwe. Kagiso Rabada with the first new ball for South Africa. Time for action to begin...

South Africa have won the toss and elected to field. No Dale Steyn in the Starting XI.

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Solomon Mire, Hamilton Masakadza(c), Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor(w), Sean Williams, Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Wellington Masakadza, Tendai Chatara

South Africa (Playing XI): Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, Jean-Paul Duminy(c), Heinrich Klaasen(w), Christiaan Jonker, Willem Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi

Hello and welcome to the opening game of the three-match ODI series between South Africa and Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe have been bolstered by the return of their senior players and come to South Africa with a near full-strength side, barring Graeme Cremer, with a view to win the series. It sounds like an ambitious objective but this is also their best opportunity with several of South Africa's first team players missing from action.

Can they do it? Or will South Africa's bench prove too strong for the visitors? Stay tuned with us as we bring you the live updates of the first ODI.