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South Africa bat in first one-day international

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa — South Africa won the toss and decided to bat in the first of three one-day internationals against Zimbabwe at the Oval in Bloemfontein on Friday.

South African batsman and wicketkeeper AB de Villiers and all-rounder Albie Morkel returned from injury but the hosts were still without star all-rounder Jacques Kallis and fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, who are all recovering from injuries.

Batsman Colin Ingram and seam bowler Rusty Theron, who won their first international caps in a Twenty20 international against the same opponents at the same venue a week ago, were selected for their first appearances in a 50-overs international.

Graeme Smith resumed the captaincy after Johan Botha led the side for two Twenty20 internationals, which were both won by South Africa.

Zimbabwe included veteran batsman Grant Flower, 39, for his first international match since 2004.

Teams

South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers (wkt), JP Duminy, Colin Ingram, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Johan Botha, Wayne Parnell, Rusty Theron, Charl Langeveldt

Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura (capt), Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Chamu Chibhabha, Sean Williams, Grant Flower, Tatenda Taibu (wkt), Shingirai Masakadza, Prosper Utseya, Graeme Cremer, Chris Mpofu

Umpires: Enamul Haque (BAN) and Marais Erasmus (RSA)

TV umpire: Brian Jerling (RSA)

Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)