Brevis assault downs Zimbabwe

A disciplined bowling performance in the second half of Zimbabwe’s innings and a whirlwind 75 not out off just 32 balls from Dewald Brevis helped South Africa bounce back in the tri-series with a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe.

Having lost to Namibia in their previous game, South Africa hit back strongly, restricting Zimbabwe to 144 before racing to the target in just 13.4 overs. Brevis smashed six sixes and seven fours in his unbeaten innings to power South Africa to an emphatic win in the second tri-series game at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.

Jordan Hermann and Lhuan-dre Pretorius set the tone for the chase with a positive opening stand, putting on 32 in 3.2 overs before Hermann fell for 20 off 13. Pretorius and Brevis then took charge, ensuring a productive Powerplay for South Africa as they reached 61 in the first six overs. Brevis, soon after his arrival to the crease, shifted the chase into overdrive as he launched his first ball for six and tore into Zimbabwe's bowling. Although Pretorius was dismissed for 22 off 13, there was no stopping Brevis as he reached his fifty in just 23 balls and his assault left Zimbabwe scrambling for answers, particularly Graeme Cremer, whose two overs cost 32 runs.

Four of Brevis' sixes came off Cremer as South Africa blazed to 103 for 2 after 10 overs, having ended the Powerplay with 61. Tony de Zorzi made 15 before falling to Blessing Muzarabani, but Brevis stayed on, adding another 21 runs after reaching his fifty with a six. Rubin Hermann's brief cameo (11* off 7) came in a unbroken 39-run stand with Brevis, who struck the winning boundary to help South Africa cross the line in the 14th over.

Earlier, South Africa hit back strongly after Zimbabwe made a flying start. Zimbabwe were 68 for 1 after eight overs, but lost regular wickets thereafter as South Africa's bowlers tightened the screws. Ben Curran struck four boundaries and a six in his 12-ball 24 to get Zimbabwe off the blocks before falling to Duan Jansen. Brian Bennett top-scored with 34 off 35 but struggled to maintain the tempo after the Powerplay. Prenelan Subrayen and Bjorn Fortuin were particularly effective through the middle overs, combining for three wickets and conceding just 52 runs in their eight overs.

Zimbabwe's innings was given late impetus by Tadiwanashe Marumani, who struck 30 off 13 balls with three sixes and a four, but his dismissal in the 19th over left the lower order with little time to add to the total. Zimbabwe got 14 runs in the last two overs, losing three wickets in the process. Duan Jansen finished with three wickets, although he conceded 45 runs, while Eathan Bosch impressed on debut with 1 for 20 and Kwena Maphaka returned 1 for 24.

Brief scores: Zimbabwe 144/8 in 20 overs (Brian Bennett 34 off 35, Tadiwanashe Marumani 30 off 13; Duan Jansen 3-45, Prenelan Subrayen 2-27) lost to South Africa 146/3 in 13.4 overs (Dewald Brevis 75* off 32, Lhuan-dre Pretorius 22 off 13; Brad Evans 1-19) by 7 wickets.