Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S national cricket team were left with homework in their hands after they started their campaign in the T20I Triangular Series on the back foot following the five-wicket defeat to South Africa at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
The home side was sent in to bat first after losing the toss, and they got stuck in the middle overs before eventually settling for a 141/6 in their allotted overs.
The Proteas stumbled a bit at the beginning of the chase, after losing three early wickets, but they recovered to post a comfortable victory, ahead of their next match against New Zealand tomorrow at the same venue.
Zimbabwe had a sluggish start with the bat and were three wickets down and had 55 runs on the board just past the halfway stage, with Wessly Madhevere (1), Clive Madande (8) and Brian Bennet (30) the casualties.
During the middle overs, the hosts struggled to get going but skipper Sikandar Raza came in and showed the way with a bit of fight with his unbeaten 54 (from 38).
Raza was involved in a key partnership with Ryan Burl (29 from 20) for the fourth wicket, which lifted the score to three figures.
But the South African bowlers continued to apply pressure, led by strong bowling from George Linde, who returned figures of 3-10 in three overs. Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger and Nqaba Peter also grabbed a wicket each.
The Proteas needed 142 runs to win but just like their hosts, they also encountered early setbacks. Zimbabwe’s bowlers, led by Richard Ngarava, made a good start claiming three scalps in the opening five overs.
At 3/38 after 5.4 overs, it looked like the Proteas would struggle against the hosts’ bowling attack, but the momentum shifted when Dewald Brevis and debutant Rubin Hermann came in and built a solid partnership of 72 runs from 37 deliveries.
Brevis was voted Man of the Match for his quickfire 41 runs from 17 balls. Hermann missed a half century on debut when he was sent packing by Travor Gwandu for 45 runs after facing 37 deliveries.
Ngarava was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers with his 3-35 while Gwandu chipped in with 2-15.
Zimbabwe captain Raza felt they could have performed better had they been able to withstand the early overs and post a few extra runs to their total.
“I think you know in winter the new ball does something. If you look at their first six overs and our six overs, I don’t think there was a lot of difference (with South Africa). So, I think we did well. We were only one down and they were three down.
“Had we lost three wickets in the power play as well, then it would have been a harder job for us to rebuild as well. So, I wouldn’t say that it was lack of intent. I just think we found it really tough to get going.
“If you ask me, I think we could have taken a lot more ones and twos back from goal rather than try and have those dead bats or try and go for a big shot I think.
“I thought Bennett did well again, which is nice. So if anybody can start with Bennett as well, then we would have been 40-45 in the power play rather than 20-odd in the power play.
“So, I wouldn’t say it was lack of intent. I just think it was quality bowling, a winter wicket, new ball. It’s not as easy as it may look,” said Raza.
South Africa captain Rassie van der Dussen, South Africa was thrilled with the application by his team, which included three debutants.
“The fearlessness of the young guys, Brevis coming in and then Rubin. Lost a few more wickets (than ideal) at the start. That partnership they had, it was brilliant.
“Overall, I’m pretty happy with that performance. Dewald, he has played the IPL, the SA20, he has had a brilliant 6-12 months. Rubin has been around the domestic circuit forever and did not look out of his depth at all.
“He played his game and that is really encouraging. Ngidi was brilliant. He took the first over and set the tone, well backed up as well.
“We probably lost (two overs that did not go to plan), but the rest of the bowling attack kept calm. It was a good batting wicket out there,” said van der Dussen.
South Africa will play New Zealand in the next match of the tournament tomorrow while Zimbabwe will be back in action on Friday against the Black Caps.
