Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
BRAD EVANS’ unbeaten half-century was in vain as South Africa yesterday claimed the Tri-series courtesy of a 48-run victory over the Chevrons at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.
Chasing 206 for victory, Zimbabwe crashed to 61/7 inside 10 overs before Brad Evans struck 56 runs from 31 deliveries to lift them to 157 all out in 18 overs.
Evans hit three fours and three sixes, but Zimbabwe were already in deep trouble, largely due to another top-order collapse, by the time the Chevrons all-rounder launched his counter-offensive.
South Africa captain Bjorn Fortuin claimed three wickets for 24 runs, while Duan Jansen took three for 38 as Zimbabwe suffered their third defeat to the Proteas during the tournament.
The Chevrons had reached the final after completing a double over hosts Namibia.
And their chase was in trouble from the second delivery when Ben Curran was dismissed by Eathan Bosch for a golden duck.
Brian Bennett followed for six at the end of the second over before Innocent Kaia, whose career-best 72 had powered Zimbabwe past Namibia last Thursday, fell for nine.
Wessly Madhevere made six as Zimbabwe slumped to 25/4 inside four overs.
Captain Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl briefly steadied the innings with a 27-run fifth-wicket stand before Fortuin bowled Burl for 13.
Tadiwanashe Marumani departed for three before Raza was caught for 16, leaving Zimbabwe reeling at 61/7 after 9.3 overs.
Evans then found some support from Newman Nyamhuri and Kundai Matigimu.
He added 20 with Nyamhuri before Fortuin removed the young seamer for seven.
Matigimu struck two sixes in his 19 from 11 deliveries during a 52-run ninth-wicket partnership with Evans.
The partnership lifted Zimbabwe to 133, but the required rate was already beyond them.
Matigimu fell before Evans completed his half-century and added another 24 runs with Blessing Muzarabani.
Earlier on, South Africa won the toss and posted 205/5 after electing to bat.
Openers Connor Esterhuizen and Jordan Hermann put on 84 runs from 47 deliveries, with the Proteas racing to 67 without loss at the end of the power-play.
Esterhuizen made 32 from 23 balls, while Hermann top-scored with 53 from 29, hitting eight fours and a six.
Nyamhuri eventually removed Esterhuizen before Evans dismissed Hermann and Dewald Brevis, who made 32 runs.
Tony de Zorzi contributed 17 runs from 11 balls deliveries and Rubin Hermann added 27 from 16 balls as South Africa maintained a scoring rate of more than 10 runs an over.
Zimbabwe briefly pulled them back from 169/3 to 172/5, but Jansen struck an unbeaten 23 runs from 14 balls to push the total beyond 200.
Evans finished with two for 36 runs, while Nyamhuri claimed two for 51 runs
Muzarabani was Zimbabwe’s most economical bowler, conceding 25 runs from his four overs without taking a wicket.
Zimbabwe finished the tournament with two wins from five matches and a runners-up finish.
Their attention now turns to the three-match One-Day International series against Australia at Harare Sports Club on September 15, 18 and 20.
