Smith warms into action

Australian all-rounder Brad Hogg tries an uppercut off South African fast bowler Andre Nel during a warm-up match in Centurion on Sunday.Photo: AFP

South Africa captain Greame Smith pounded an unbeaten 89 as the hosts beat big guns Australia by eight wickets during the second day of warm-up matches in the Twenty20 World Championships yesterday.
At a packed SuperSport Park in Centurion, Smith's decision to put Australia in to bat proved that chasing was easier for the teams as South Africa were not the only side to have won while batting second. Under fire Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by five wickets while Zimbabwe also beat Scotland by the same margin. Only New Zealand failed to haul over West Indies total as the men from the Caribbean won by 35 runs.
Australia rode on Andrew Symonds after their top-order fell cheaply. Symonds struck only one six in his 26-ball 45 to lift their score to 179-8 in 20 overs. Veteran Shaun Pollock and young seamer Morne Morkel took two wickets each.
26-year-old Smith lost his opening partner Herschelle Gibbs (20) in the sixth over. But he found an able ally in AB de Villiers. Both batsmen took the Australian attack to the cleaners, sharing 116 runs for the second wicket. Smith struck 11 boundaries and a couple of sixes in his 61-ball essay while de Villiers struck four sixes in his 65. de Villiers fell with only 13 runs to win but Smith finished the game with Jean-Paul Duminy (1*). Left-armer Nathan Bracken and new boy Ben Hilfenhaus took a wicket apiece.
Earlier at the same venue, an opening stand of 94 between Salman Butt and Mohammad Hafeez helped Pakistan ease to a five-wicket win against Sri Lanka, who won on Saturday against the hosts. Butt scored 51 and Hafeez 45 as Pakistan chased down the target of 163 with seven balls to spare.
After being put in to bat, Sri Lanka were off to a good start with Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga adding 45 in five overs. Mohammad Asif, who missed the warm-up against Zimbabwe due to a thigh injury, removed Tharanga for 30. Hafeez tied the batsmen down with his off-spinners, conceding 18 off his four overs and picking up two wickets. Sri Lanka lost their way a bit at 80 for 4, before Jehan Mubarak revived the innings, sharing stands of 36 and 41 with Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan respectively.
Pakistan responded smoothly thanks to Hafeez and Butt as the seamers came in for a bit of stick. The Sri Lankans managed to pick up a few wickets but by then Pakistan were well on course to victory. Shoaib Malik steered his side home with an unbeaten 34.
Daren Powell bowled a brilliant spell as West Indies took care of New Zealand at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, but this time the team batting first won. Powell took 3 wickets for only 4 runs. He removed Lou Vincent (2), Ross Taylor (2) and Scott Styris (4) as the Black Caps lost both their warm-up matches ahead of the tournament proper.
Only Peter Fulton scored 51 while Daniel Vettori (24) was the other batsman to reach double-figure.
Earlier, Chris Martin bowled well to take two wickets but West Indies reached 150 for 6 in 20 overs. New Zealand were bowled out for 115 in 18.4 overs.
In the last match of the day, Zimbabwe overturned their lacklustre start with a win over Scotland at Sedgars Park in Potchefstroom. Young all-rounder Chamu Chibhabha scored a 34-ball 43. Scotland captain Ryan Watson scored 64 earlier.