Miller scored his second one-day international century before finishing on 138, while Duminy provided an admirable foil for his more aggressive partner, scoring 115 for his fourth ODI century, in their world record fifth-wicket partnership.
David Miller and JP Duminy rescued South Africa from potential embarrassment with a world record 256-run partnership as they posted an imposing 339 for four against Zimbabwe in their opening World Cup clash at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.
Miller scored his second one-day international century before finishing on 138, while Duminy provided an admirable foil for his more aggressive partner, scoring 115 for his fourth ODI century, in their world record fifth-wicket partnership. The pair had been thrust together at 83 for four in the 21st over after South Africa had been asked to bat by Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura.
The South Africans initially struggled with the pace and bounce of the wicket, with the ball stopping off a length, which affected the batsmen's timing. Zimbabwe's opening bowlers Tinashe Panyangara and Tendai Chatara were hardly threatening but both Quinton de Kock (seven) and Hashim Amla (11) struggled to get the innings going.
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Power-hitters Faf du Plessis (24) and captain AB de Villiers (25) then appeared to be coming to terms with the pitch before they were both dismissed. De Villiers's dismissal was particularly eye catching as he tried to hit leg-spinner Tafadzwa Kamungozi for six but he didn't quite get to the ball and it sailed high down to long off where Craig Ervine was lurking.
Ervine leapt to take the catch, threw the ball back into the air as he overbalanced and stepped over the rope before he came back into the field of play to complete the dismissal. Du Plessis followed shortly after to leave South Africa facing the possibility of defending a low score on a pitch that has historically favoured the side batting second.
However, Miller and Duminy patiently rebuilt the innings then peppered the fence in the final 10 overs, with Miller particularly brutal in the 48th when he took 30 runs off Solomon Mire. The 25-year-old's nine sixes in his brilliant 92-ball knock were also a World Cup record.
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 "South-Africa (File photo)")
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