Cricket World Cup 2015: Miller and Duminy set partnership record in Proteas win

South Africa (339-4) beat Zimbabwe (277 all out) by 62 runs

David Miller's blistering century included nine sixes (GETTY)

A record-breaking partnership of 256 by David Miller and J P Duminy led South Africa to a 62-run win over Zimbabwe in their opening cricket World Cup Pool B match.

The Proteas scored 339 for 4, led by Miller’s blistering innings of 138 off 92 balls, which included smashing 30 runs off one over and a World Cup record nine sixes.

Duminy scored an unbeaten 115 as the pair set a new ODI record for the fifth wicket and took full advantage of the short boundaries at Hamilton’s Seddon Park.

Zimbabwe began their chase well but could not overcome the big total, falling short when all out for 277.

Hamilton Masakadza scored 80 to give Zimbabwe a chance, before South Africa spinner Imran Tahir (3 for 36) stifled the run chase.

“I’m very, very satisfied with our first win,” said South Africa’s captain, A B de Villiers. “There’s no doubt the toss played a big part in them getting ahead early on. It was a really difficult wicket to bat on the first 15 or 20 overs.”

But then Miller and Duminy came together. They began slowly, content to rebuild the innings and push for singles.

David Miller and JP Duminy both made centuries in their record stand (GETTY)

“The team was in a little bit of trouble, and I thought to myself, you know, just try and build a long partnership here with JP,” Miller said.

The pair cut loose in the last 10 overs, including in the 48th when Miller smashed three sixes and three fours, which he described as “very fun. I’d worked really hard for the last 25 overs, and we still had wickets in hand, so just to try and express myself toward the end.”

Zimbabwe fell short but De Villiers said: “I will not be surprised if they upset a couple of teams in this World Cup.”