Staff Reporter.
Dewald Brevis and Rubin Hermann’s splendid batting saw the Proteas ease to victory against Zimbabwe in the opening T20 Tri-series clash at Harare Sports Club on Monday.
New Zealand will play their first match of the tournament when they meet the Proteas at the same venue on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe were restricted to 141-6 after being sent in, with captain Sikandar Raza top-scoring with 54*.
Both teams showed multiple changes following a two-match Test series in Bulawayo, which South Africa won comfortably.
Opening bowler Lungi Ngidi took a wicket and conceded only seven runs in a three-over opening spell.
Left-arm spinner George Linde took 3-10, including two wickets for four runs in the last over.
The Proteas lost three wickets in the six-over powerplay against aggressive left-arm fast bowler Richard Ngarava and seamer Trevor Gwandu.
But new cap Rubin Hermann (45 off 37 balls) and hard-hitting Man of the Match Dewald Brevis, who thrashed 41 off 17 balls, put on 72 for the fourth wicket to ensure a comfortable win.
Proteas captain Rassie van der Dussen praised the two young batsmen.
“There was a little bit of pressure up front,” he said. “Losing three wickets in the powerplay was not ideal but their partnership was brilliant.”
Brevis hit five sixes and a four in his innings, including three successive sixes off leg-spinner Ryan Burl.
Raza said Ngarava, who took 3-35, and Gwandu (3-15) were outstanding.
“It was the first game of the winter [in Harare] and we weren’t sure of the wicket,” said Raza of his team’s batting performance. “At least we know these are going to be high-scoring games.”