Staff Reporter.
SA A secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20 series against Zimbabwe XI after a massive 142-run win in Harare on Saturday.
SA A were put to the bat first by the hosts and went on to set the target on 185 runs.
Openers Lesiba Ngoepe (19) and Reeza Hendricks (3) were dismissed three deliveries apart as the hosts opened the attack on the visitors.
A half-century from captain Heinrich Klaasen (56), including three boundaries and five maximums, supported by Ryan Rickelton’s 47 (three boundaries and two maximums), restored the innings to see the SA side end their innings on 184 for eight.
Khaya Zondo (3) was trapped lbw by Wesly Madhevere in the 15th over, and Jason Smith (5) caught by Tendai Chatara off Ernest Masuku two overs later.
Bjorn Fortuin performed with both bat and ball as he scored 19 runs with the bowling figures of 2-4 in two overs.
Tanaka Chivanga was the pick of the bowlers, recording 3-29 in his four overs after dismissing Rickelton, Fortuin, and Glenton Stuurman (14).
Zimbabwe XI had little to respond to as the SA A bowlers reduced the hosts to 42 for nine in 12 overs, with Wellington Masakadza unable to bat.
Junior Dala recorded the best figures (3-12) in three overs. Fortuin (2-4) and Lizaad Williams (2-7) took two wickets while Daryn Dupavillon and Glenton Stuurman claimed one wicket each.
Match four will take place at the same venue on Sunday.