Johannesburg: Opening batsman Craig Wishart hit a career-best 172 as Zimbabwe piled up 340 for two against Namibia in the World Cup match on Monday on a day dominated by the release of a dramatic statement by two of the home players criticising the regime of President Robert Mugabe. Andy Flower and Henry Olonga wore black armbands and hit out at the worsening conditions in the violence and famine hit country and mourned what they called the "death of Democracy." Flower's efforts with the bat, as he made 39, were overshadowed by Wishart, who put on 107 for the first wicket with Mark Vermeulen. Wishart completed his second career One-day hundred in as many balls. His previous best of 102 came against India at the same venue three years ago. Namibia was outclassed on it debut but at least Lennie Louw, the oldest player in the World Cup at 43, had the consolation of dismissing Vermeulen, who made 39. Wishart found two able allies in the Flower brothers with Andy hitting 39 and Grant 78 not out. Wishart hit three sixes and 18 fours but just missed out on Gary Kirsten's highest World Cup score by 16 runs. Kirsten made 188 against Holland at Rawalpindi in 1996.
 Copyright AFP 2001
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'Death of Democracy': Flower, Olonga wear black bands
Tags: cricket, johannesburg, opening batsman craig wishart, career-best, zimbabwe, piled up, namibia, world cup match, home players, president robert mugabe, andy flower, henry olonga, wore black armbands, mark vermeulen, india, oldest player, sixes, fours, missed out, gary kirsten's highest score, holland, rawalpindi.
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