A summary of all Tests between these countries:
SA has won 8 out of 9 Tests, including all 4 played at home and 4 out of 5 played away. Zimbabwe’s best performance can thus be said to be the Test at Bulawayo starting on 14 Sep 2001 (just after 9/11!) which was drawn.
We quickly go through the main individual performances:
Most runs (200 and above):
Andy Flower’s performance in a weak team is particularly creditable. He and Kallis are the only ones with more than one century.
Highest innings scores (90 and above):
Andy Flower again, highlighting his lone battle with 142 and 199* in a losing cause.
Most wickets (8 and above):
The first three names are no surprise. Zimbabwe bowlers hardly figure here, particularly since their team sustained several innings defeats.
Best innings bowling (including all 5wi and above):
Donald’s performance in the first Test between these teams remains unsurpassed. And Bryan Strang’s performance in the same Test is still a record for Zimbabwe.
Best match bowling (6wm and above):
As above, Donald’s record stands since 1995. And no Zimbabwe bowler appears here (again, because of the numerous innings defeats).
Most dismissals (5 and above):
As one would expect. Interestingly four non-keepers share the record of 5 catches.
Best innings fielding (3 or more dismissals):
As expected, though Sibanda’s presence as the lone Zimbabwe player is strange.
Best match fielding (4 or more dismissals):
Note the absence of any Zimbabwe players here, and GC Smith’s record among non-keepers.
Overall all-round performance (see criteria below):
The best all-rounder on both sides, while Pollock and Streak did not play enough in these matches.
All-round match performance (50+ runs and 5+ wickets):
There is no instance of 50+5wi in these matches, so the criterion is reduced to 50 runs and 5 wickets in the match. Here again it is Kallis all the way with Pollock playing a minor role.
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