Colombo, Herschelle Gibbs slammed a strokeful 116 as South Africa qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy tournament with an emphatic 176-run victory over Kenya here on Friday.
Former champions South Africa, helped by Gibbs's eighth century, virtually batted non-Test playing Kenya out of the match as they posted a massive 316-5 after winning the toss in the day-night match at the Premadasa Stadium. Kenya were then left to chase a mirage under lights, considering their inexperience and their opponents' reputation. They were dismissed for 140 despite an attractive 97-ball 69 by skipper Steve Tikolo. South Africa topped the three-team group with their second consecutive win, having already clinched a last-ball thriller with two wickets to spare against the West Indies in their previous game. They will now clash with the winners of Sunday's match between India and England in the penultimate round. Kenya yet again proved to be a one-batsman team as Tikolo dazzled with his powerful and clean hitting during his 12th half-century before swinging off-spinner Justin Ontong to Graeme Smith at deep mid-wicket boundary. Tikolo struck 11 fours in his second successive 50, having made 93 in his team's defeat against the West Indies in the first match. He scored his runs against better attacks in both the games, but received little support from the other end. The teams were so unevenly matched that South Africa never felt the absence of ace fast bowler Allan Donald, rested along with batsman Jonty Rhodes and left-arm spinner Nicky Boje. Their replacements, Ontong (3-30), Dale Benkenstein (3-5) and paceman Makhaya Ntini (2-37), all made the most of the opportunity against a weak Kenyan batting. Gibbs, 28, put the match beyond Kenya's reach as he smashed three sixes and 13 fours in his 126-ball knock. He added 159 for the opening wicket with left-handed Smith (69) to set the stage for the closing-overs onslaught. Jacques Kallis then cracked a 53-ball 60 with one six and five fours in pressure-free conditions as South Africa became the first team to cross the 300-mark in the tournament. Gibbs made a deceptive start, scoring just six runs in the opening 10 overs before dominating a seven-man Kenyan attack with a wide range of attacking shots. Kenyan wicket-keeper David Obuya also caught the eye with four dismissals, including three stumpings. Gibbs soon outscored Smith and was the first to reach his half-century when he cut off-spinner Maurice Odumbe for his ninth four. He took 51 more balls to reach his hundred, glancing spinner Tikolo for a boundary. His best came in the 37th over as he pulled spinner Jimmy Kamande for a six and followed it up with a four and a straight six to plunder 16 off three balls. Gibbs was caught behind off the next delivery while trying to steer the spinner to third-man. He overshadowed Smith, who did the bulk of the scoring in the initial overs. Smith did not hesitate to hit over the top and offered two chances in his third half-century. Smith was on 31 when dropped by Ravindu Shah at short mid-wicket off paceman Martin Suji and then on 61 when let off by Brijal Patel off leg-spinner Collins Obuya. Smith struck six fours in his 77-ball knock before being given out stumped off Odumbe by TV umpire David Shepherd of England. Extras:
Scorecard of Match 9
Gibbs goes on rampage, slams ton; SA piles 316/5
Tags: cricket, colombo, south african opener herschelle gibbs, kenyan, champions trophy, premedasa stadium, graeme smith, jacques kallis, west indies, kenyan wicket-keeper david obuya, maurice odumbe, steve tikolo, jimmy kamande, ravindu shah, martin suji, brijal patel, collins obuya, tv umpire david shepherd of england, dale benkenstein, makhaya ntini, justin ontong, allan donald, jonty rhodes, nicky boje.
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