Amla leads SA charge

A late run flourish lifted South Africa to 295-5 off 50 overs against Zimbabwe at Willowmoore Park Sunday in the first one-day international.

Warming up for Twenty20, ODI and Test matches against touring England, the Proteas began impressively, hit a mid-innings slump when they went 54 balls without a boundary, and tormented the visiting fielders at the death.

Opener Hashim Amla top scored for South Africa in hot conditions with a 131-minute 80 that included six fours before he mistimed a shot to a grateful Mark Vermeulen at the deep wicket boundary.

Skipper Graeme Smith made 35 and AB de Villiers 51 to set South Africa up for a high total and Albie Morkel hit three sixes and three fours in an unbeaten 50 during a 39-minute spell at the crease.

Veteran left-arm orthodox bowler Ray Price was the most successful Zimbabwean, claiming 3-44 off 10 overs, but Chris Mpofu proved expensive, conceding 70 runs without reward.

South Africa begin three months of action against England Friday when they clash at the Wanderers in the first of two Twenty20 games and the other is at SuperSport Park in Centurion two days later.