A record-breaking partnership from David Miller and Jean-Paul Duminy has put South Africa in a commanding position in their World Cup opener as they set Zimbabwe 340 runs to win.
Miller recorded his highest score in one-day international cricket as he blasted 138 not out off 98 deliveries, while Duminy also reached three figures as he finished unbeaten on 115 to help the Proteas post 339-4.
Elton Chigumbura won the toss and elected to field and the skipper was justified in his decision when Tendai Chatara had Quinton de Kock caught by Sean Ervine for just seven.
Hashim Amla soon followed his teammate back to the pavilion when he was bowled by Tinashe Payangara for 11 to leave South Africa reeling at 21-2.
Captain AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis managed to restore calm to the innings as they guided the Proteas past the 50-run mark, but problems lay ahead as Du Plessis was dismissed for 24 by Chigumbura.
Tafadzwa Kamungozi picked up the prized wicket of De Villiers for 25 to leave the South African innings stuttering in the 21st over at 83-4.
However, Miller and Duminy took over the mantle and began to play their way into the match with relative ease as they displayed quick running between the wickets to keep the scoreboard moving.
The duo brought up their first milestone as they reached their 50 partnership in 64 balls, while Miller was the first to reach his half-century and was soon followed by Duminy.
After passing the 200-run mark, the pair decided to put their foot on the accelerator and put the pressure on the Zimbabwe attack during the powerplay overs, and runs soon started to flow with ease.
Miller reached his century in emphatic fashion as he reached the milestone off just 81 deliveries, hitting six sixes and three boundaries. The 25-year-old then smashed 30 off one over to guide his side over 300.
Duminy played his part in the final overs as he went to a 96-ball century with a boundary as the pair propelled South Africa to 339-4 by smashing the world record for the fifth-wicket partnership in an ODI.
Simon Sinclair
