By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Photo Credit: Brevis X Account.
Dewald Brevis has made a habit of making T20 cricket look rather easier than it really is.
For the second time in as many innings, the young South African produced a 75 that was both destructive and controlled, this time remaining unbeaten as the Proteas brushed aside Zimbabwe by seven wickets in Windhoek on Saturday.
The victory was precisely what South Africa needed after their disappointing 18 run defeat to Namibia in the opening match of the tri series. Zimbabwe never had enough runs to put the Proteas under serious pressure and the chase was finished inside 14 overs, South Africa reaching 146 for three after Zimbabwe had posted 144 for eight.
Brevis did most of the damage.
He walked in after Tony de Zorzi had departed cheaply and immediately changed the tempo. Newman Nyamhuri disappeared over long off for six, Blessing Muzarabani was clipped for three boundaries and Graeme Cremer was treated with particular hostility.
The first six off Cremer disappeared over long on and had to be retrieved from the parking area. Another followed soon afterwards.
By the time Brevis reached 40, he had faced only 15 balls.
His half century came from 24 deliveries, but there was more to the innings than brute force. Brevis picked his moments, used his wrists beautifully and rarely appeared rushed. He finished unbeaten on 75, leaving Zimbabwe’s bowlers with little room to manoeuvre.
It was his second consecutive 75 of the tournament.
South Africa’s response was considerably more convincing than their opening chase against Namibia. The Proteas had struggled to turn opportunities into runs two days earlier. This time there was no such hesitation.
Zimbabwe’s bowling attack was also missing Richard Ngarava, and his absence was felt. Wessly Madhevere and Sikandar Raza completed their four overs for a combined 34 runs, but the rest of the attack struggled to contain Brevis.
Graeme Cremer, returning to the side for the first time since the T20 World Cup, conceded 32 from two overs.
The match had effectively been decided during Zimbabwe’s innings.
They began brightly, reaching 76 for one after 10 overs, with Ben Curran particularly aggressive. He took 14 runs from three deliveries against Duan Jansen, using a ramp, a swat over midwicket and then a straight six.
Curran’s assault ended when he attempted to clear mid on and Tony de Zorzi took an athletic catch. From there, South Africa gradually tightened the screws.
Zimbabwe managed only 68 runs after reaching 76 for one and lost seven wickets in the process. Prenelan Subrayen was central to the squeeze, while Eathan Bosch and Kwena Maphaka used changes of pace effectively as the innings lost momentum.
Brian Bennett, who had helped provide the early impetus, fell for 34. Tadiwanashe Marumani added a brisk 30 from 13 balls, and a sixth wicket stand of 43 between Marumani and Madhevere briefly threatened to give Zimbabwe the finish they needed.
It never came.
Jansen was expensive, conceding 45 from his four overs, but his three wickets made him South Africa’s most successful bowler. Subrayen claimed two for 27 and helped South Africa regain control during the middle overs.
There remains one small concern for the Proteas.
De Zorzi has made nine and 15 in the first two matches and, on both occasions, has struggled to score at a run a ball before attempting a big shot. Against Zimbabwe there was little pressure on him when he chased a short, wide delivery from Muzarabani and picked out Madhevere at fine leg.
He has played only nine T20Is and is still learning the demands of the format. With Jason Smith injured and limited batting cover in the squad, another opportunity should come quickly. For now, though, the Proteas can take considerable encouragement from the response.
After the defeat to Namibia, they needed a performance that was decisive rather than dramatic. They got one.
Brevis supplied the fireworks. South Africa’s bowlers did the less glamorous work of squeezing Zimbabwe out of the game.
The result leaves South Africa level with Namibia on two points, while Zimbabwe remain without a win. And, after a false start, the Proteas are moving again.