Related Links : South Africa in Zimbabwe 2007 : Scorecard
Tatenda Taibu proved that he was still a fighting cricketer at the top level by scoring an unbeaten century in the third and final ODI at Harare. Taibu’s century was however not enough to stop the Proteas from completing a 3-0 whitewash. The brilliant century did help in getting Zimbabwe to a good looking finish of 295 for 7 chasing a target of 324.
SA who had won the toss and batted first were powered to 323 for 9 with Albie Morkel and AB de Villiers coming to the party. AB de Villiers blasted his way to a second One Day Century. He got the support from left handed Albie Morkel, who was promoted to no.3. Albie made 97 from 104 with 8 fours and four sixes in a partnership of 186. AB de Villiers got 107 from just 89 balls with 8 fours and half a dozen sixes. SA lost their way in the final ten overs as they lost seven wickets. Morne Morkel did the finishing act with a 11-ball 23.
Zimbabwe went for the huge target by getting a strokeful opening stand of 76 in 13.3 overs between Sibanda (41 from 41 with 9 fours) and Hamilton Masakadza who went onto 48. The biggest partnership of the innings was between Brendan Taylor and Tatenda Taibu that was worth 109 runs for the third wicket. Taylor made 42 from 59 with 2 fours and a six. The Zimbabweans eventually got to 295 for 7, falling 28 runs short only of their target. Taibu stayed unconquered with 107 from 103 balls with 9 fours and a six. For little Taibu, it was a maiden ODI ton.
The Man of the Match and the Player of the Series both went to AB de Villiers who has doubled up as a wicket keeper in this series.