South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 48 runs in the tri-series final in Windhoek on Sunday night. Chasing South Africa’s 205, Zimbabwe could manage no more than 157 runs.
Despite losing their opening match, the Proteas did not give either of their two opponents much of a chance in the remaining three league matches or in the title-deciding final. Jordan Herman was the hero of the final, scoring 54 off 29 balls to guide his team to victory. Overall, Dewald Brevis was the tournament’s best batter, scoring 226 runs at a strike rate of 166.17.
South Africa were without Lhuan-dre Pretorius in the title-deciding match due to injury. Pretorius had scored 226 runs in the previous four matches. However, Connor Esterhuizen and Jordan Herman made sure his absence was hardly felt after South Africa opted to bat first upon winning the toss.
The pair added 84 runs from 47 balls in the opening partnership. Esterhuizen was dismissed for 32 off 23 balls, with 3 fours and 2 sixes. Jordan’s 29-ball innings included 8 fours and 1 six.
Brevis (32 off 23) and Tony de Zorzi (17 off 11) continued in the same vein. Towards the end, Jordan’s elder brother Rubin Herman scored a quick 27 off 16 balls, while Duan Jansen added 23 off 14 balls in a cameo to take the team past 200.
Brad Evans and Newman Nyamuhuri took two wickets each for Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe never really found their footing in the run chase. They lost four wickets for just 25 runs. There was no recovery from there. At one stage, they were reduced to 81 for 8 and faced the prospect of being bowled out before reaching 100.
However, Evans took matters into his own hands towards the end and carried Zimbabwe past 150. The pace-bowling all-rounder, who has been in excellent batting form recently, registered the first fifty of his career. He remained unbeaten on 56 off 31 balls, with 4 fours and 4 sixes.
For South Africa, captain Bjorn Fortuin and Duan Jansen took three wickets each.
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