South Africa crushed a largely disappointing Zimbabwe by 48 runs in the final of the T20I Tri-Series at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek on Sunday afternoon.
At one stage it looked as if Zimbabwe might struggle to reach three figures in their innings, chasing South Africa’s total of 205 for five wickets after the Proteas had won the toss and batted first.
Pacemen Duan Jansen and Eathan Bosch shared the first four wickets for just 25 before the spinners took over with Bjorn Fortuin grabbing three and Prenelan Subrayen another to reduce Zimbabwe to a parlous 83 for eight in the 12th over. While the South Africans bowled well, the Zimbabwean top-order imploded with a series of ill-disciplined shots including Ben Curran’s first-ball duck and Brian Bennett’s ill-judged scoop to depart for six.
The crowd were at last roused from silently observing their team’s woes by a splendidly spirited maiden T20I half-century from Brad Evans who struck an undefeated 56 in 31 balls, including four sixes and four fours. He and Kundai Matigimu (19) added 52 in 28 balls for the ninth wicket and though victory for the South Africans was never in question, the pair saved some of the blushes of the Zimbabwe top-order and restored the good humour of the crowd.
SA skipper Fortuin was the outstanding South African bowler, claiming 3/24 in his spell, while Jansen also took three wickets while going for an expensive 38 runs in his three overs. Bosch was impressive with his 2/22 off three while Jordan Hermann took an outstanding diving catch in the covers to get rid of Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza.
Earlier, Hermann joined Evans in also striking his maiden T20I half-century to lead South Africa to a respectable 205 for five wickets.
The Proteas were given a strong start by Hermann and Connor Esterhuizen who added 67 in the power play and 84 in 47 balls before Esterhuizen, who struck three fours and two sixes in his 23-ball 32, skied paceman Newman Nyamhuri to Ben Curran at cover. Regular opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius was unable to play in the match because of a niggle.
Hermann continued on his merry way, exploiting some erratic bowling with the Zimbabwean bowlers often pitching way too short, before he perished in the deep, well caught by a diving Ryan Burl at long-on. His 53 came off 29 balls and included eight fours and a six.
The uneven, somewhat slow pitch made scoring more difficult as the ball lost its hardness and Dewald Brevis, normally very destructive, struggled for timing although he did crunch two huge sixes and two fours in his 32 in 23 balls before being caught in the deep.
Tony de Zorzi (17 in 11 balls) was one of Zimbabwe skipper’s two victims, after he was stumped after being stranded well down the track to one that turned sharply. Rubin Hermann struck a bright 27 and Duan Jansen a quickfire 23 in 14 balls to take South Africa past the 200 mark.
Blessing Muzarabani was Zimbabwe’s best bowler, going for only 25 in his four overs, while Nyamhuri and Evans took a couple of wickets apiece though the former was expensive, leaking 51 runs in his spell.
Hermann, the player of the match, said afterwards: “It was a good performance from us and a great cup to bring back home.”
Skipper Fortuin added: “Happy to get the win, and it was pleasing to see different guys stand up.”
Pretorius was named batter of the tournament for his 226 runs overall while Brevis was player of the tournament for scoring 226 runs at a strike rate of 116. Duan Jansen was bowler of the tournament for his 11 wickets.
SOUTH AFRICA: Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Jordan Hermann, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Eathan Bosch, Duan Jansen, Bjorn Fortuin (capt.), Prenelan Subrayen, Nqobani Mokoena, Kwena Maphaka
ZIMBABWE: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Sikandar Raza (capt.), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Kundai Matigimu, Blessing Muzarabani