(ESPNCRICINFO) – South Africa got their hands on the first trophy on offer for them this season as they comprehensively beat Zimbabwe in the Namibia T20I tri-series final.
It was the third time South Africa defeated Zimbabwe in the last eight days, with margins of victory that ranged from seven wickets to 43 runs and to 48 runs in the final. Given that this is an experimental South African side, Zimbabwe will have plenty to think about when it comes to the development of their game.
For the second time in three days, South Africa posted a total above 200, and they did without the series’ joint-leading run-scorer Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who was out with a groin injury. Instead, they relied on an 84-run opening stand between Connor Esterhuizen and Jordan Hermann and a 47-run fifth-wicket partnership between Rubin Hermann and Dewald Brevis, whose 32 saw him join Pretorius atop the run charts.
Zimbabwe’s seamers found the going tough, best illustrated by Blessing Muzarabani’s returns. He was economical and conceded just 25 runs in four overs but went wicketless for the first time in the series. Newman Nyamhuri and Brad Evans claimed two apiece.
In the chase, Zimbabwe were out of it before they had even really begun. They were reduced to 25 for 4 in the fourth over and 57 for 6 in the ninth and were staring at one of their lowest totals in the format. By the time Brad Evans and Kundai Matigumu put together a 52-run ninth-wicket stand it was too late. Evans had the consolation of a career-best 56* with the bat, to add to his 10 wickets in the series, but Zimbabwe needed more than his contribution to compete.
South Africa, who had had collective efforts throughout, could be satisfied with a bowling performance that saw Eathan Bosch, Duan Jansen, Bjorn Fortuin, Prenelan Subrayen and Kwena Maphaka among the wickets.
Hermann hits his first half-century
After three scores without passing 30 at the top of the order, Jordan Hermann was moved to No. 6 in the last match. Pretorius’ absence gave him another opportunity to show what he could do opening. Hermann is known for his strong leg-side play and that was on display again when and dispatched a short ball from Wessly Madhevere wide of mid-on for his first boundary, off the fourth ball of the innings. That remained his preferred area as he played the pick-up shot off Newman Nyamhuri for six over fine leg, and then midwicket.
But Hermann also showed glimpses of his offside game with twin fours off Brad Evans, through mid-off and cover point but went back to his favoured area for a hat-trick of boundaries off Matigimu. He reached his fifty off 24 balls in the eighth over before his pull shot let him down when Evans’ changed pace and he skied a slower ball wide of long-on, where Ryan Burl pouched a stunner.
