The Zimbabwe vs South Africa opener on Monday saw the Proteas draw first blood behind George Linde, Dewald Brevis, and Rubin Hermann.
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ZIMBABWE VS SOUTH AFRICA OPENER HAS LINDE, BREVIS, HERMANN LEAD THREE-WAY ATTACK
The Zimbabwe vs South Africa opener with Linde, Brevis, and Hermann led a three-way attack for the Proteas over the Chevrons by five wickets.
What’s more, the Proteas opened their T201 (Twenty20) triangular series with their sixth-straight T201 victory over the Chevrons.
On the other hand, Linde (3 for 20) emerged as having the lowest economy (3.33) and the most wickets to lead South Africa’s charge.
Debutant Hermann had 45 and shared in a 72-run fourth-wicket stand with Brevis, who had 41 off just 17 balls.
Additionally, Lungi Ngidi gave Proteas an extra lift.
He went 1-for 15 from four overs after he missed Proteas’ last seven matches.
RAZA’S 15TH T201 50 WENT FOR NAUGHT AS THE CHEVRONS FALL SHORT
Sikandar Raza registered his 15th T201 50 that just went for naught as The Chevrons fell short.
Not only that, the 39-year-old right-arm off break’s knock carried Zimbabwe from 39 for 2 to a total over-40, which was not enough.
Interestingly, he also overtook Craig Ervine as The Chevrons’ most capped T20! captain with 39 matches.
Zimbabwe collected 34 runs in the first six overs, which was their joint-highest in a T201 against South Africa.
Only Wessly Madhevere – who only got past 20 once in his last 11 innings – was dismissed for the Chevrons in this one.
However, South Africa was only 53 for 2 at the halfway stage.
RAZA ‘PROUD’ OF TEAMMATES LEARNING, SEES POSITIVE SIDE DESPITE LOSS
Raza was “proud” of his teammates learning new things, noting that there’s positive sides to take away from them despite the loss.
In the same way, the Zimbabwe team captain remained optimistic.
He was unmindful of what the score says against their squad.
On the other hand, teammate Ryan Burl shared Raza’s optimism.
He noted that the skipper told them “to find boundaries and get the gaps to take twos.”
“I am extremely proud of the way the guys are learning. The scoreboard may not be showing it, but there are a lot of good things we are doing,” Raza said.
“I think the total was a bit under par, but we have defended lower targets before,” Burl added.
