South Africa cruised to a comfortable six wicket victory against Zimbabwe with a polished performance to clinch the KFC International T20 series at Senwes Park tonight (Friday, 12 October.)
The Proteas bowlers restricted Zimbabwee to a below par 132/7 with accurate pace bowling from man of the match, Dane Paterson (2/22) and Robbie Frylinck (2/20) doing the bulk of the damage.
The Proteas’ chase started poorly as Rassie Van der Dussen was dismissed for unlucky number 13 off the bowling of Christopher Mpofu, who took a smart catch off his own bowling.
SA made hard work of the chase and at one stage were 58/3 after Quinton de Kock and captain Faf du Plessis lost their wickets.
Zimbabwe’s spinners, Brandon Mavuta and Sean Williams showed their skill, taking wickets and restricting the run-rate.
Heinrich Klaasen (22 from 15) got SA on the move again with a typically belligerent innings. Together with JP Duminy (33 from 26) the pair put on 44 for the fourth wicket before Klaasen went for one shot too many giving Sean Williams (2/25) his second scalp. Duminy and David Miller 19 (13) then steered SA to victory with 5 overs to spare to send the Senwes Park crowd into celebration.
Earlier on, the South Africans looked to make the perfect start and Dane Paterson obliged taking the wicket of Solomon Mire with his second ball to leave Zimbabwe on 7/1.
Zimbabwe skipper, Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor then upped the run rate with Masakadza taking a liking to Lungi Ngidi’s bowling with a couple of huge sixes.
Masakadza though was undone by the experienced Robbie Frylinck who castled the Zimbabwe captain for 21 to leave the visitors on 33/2 after 5 overs.
Frylinck struck again in his next over taking the wicket of Musakanda caught behind for a duck leaving the Zimbabweans on 35/3.
Zimbabwe’s star in the batting line-up was Sean Williams who scored 41 (28) which included 3 sixes and 2 four in an entertaining knock. Together with Brendan Taylor (29 off 35) the pair took Zimbabwe to a total of 132/7 in 20 overs.
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Photos: Wouter Pienaar
