Miller, Duminy tons help South Africa pile up 339-4

HAMILTON, New Zealand: David Miller and JP Duminy both smashed fighting hundreds in a record-breaking stand that took South Africa to 339 for four after a top-order collapse in their World Cup opener against Zimbabwe on Sunday.

South Africa, after losing the toss, slumped to 83 for four against Zimbabwe´s unheralded attack with key batsmen Hashim Amla (11) and skipper AB de Villiers (25) both falling cheaply at Hamilton´s Seddon Park.

But Miller responded with 138 not out, his highest one-day international score coming on his World Cup debut, while Duminy blasted 115 not out for his fourth century at this level.

Miller smashed nine sixes and seven fours off 92 balls to better his previous highest score of 130 not out against the West Indies at Port Elizabeth last month.

Duminy almost matched his fellow left-hander stroke for stroke, smashing three sixes and nine boundaries in his 100-ball knock.

Their 256-run unbroken stand was a new one-day international record for the fifth wicket, beating the previous best of 226 which Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara shared against Ireland in Dublin two years ago.

But it was not all rosy to start with for South Africa, as they lost four early wickets with the Zimbabwe bowlers using the new ball to perfection.

Opener Quniton de Kock fell to paceman Tendai Chatara for seven while in the tenth over Amla was bowled through the gate by Tinashe Panyangara.

Faf du Plessis fell for 24 to Elton Chigumbura before Zimbabwe grabbed the key wicket of de Villiers.

De Villiers hit the six of the innings, off Chatara, but tried to play another similar shot off leg-spinner Tafadzwa Kamungozi he was brilliantly caught on the boundary by Craig Ervine.

Realising he was going over the rope in his attempt to hold onto the catch, Ervine threw the ball back before leaping across the boundary to complete the dismissal on the field.

But Zimbabwe failed to take any more wickets as Miller and Duminy smashed 146 runs in the last 10 overs, taking 30 alone in the 48th over bowled by Solomon Mire, with three sixes and as many boundaries. (AFP)