Proteas sweep aside Zimbabwe to win T20 tri series in Namibia

South Africa produced a convincing all round performance to beat Zimbabwe by 48 runs in the final of the T20 International tri series in Windhoek on Sunday, securing the first trophy of their season.

After posting an imposing 205 for five from their 20 overs, the Proteas dismissed Zimbabwe for 157 in 17.5 overs to complete a third victory over their neighbours in the space of eight days.

The result was particularly encouraging for a South African side still experimenting with its combinations and giving opportunities to several players on the international fringes.

Jordan Hermann and Connor Esterhuizen provided the foundation for South Africa's imposing total, sharing an opening partnership of 84. Hermann was the standout performer, scoring 53 from 29 deliveries for his first T20 International half century.

Esterhuizen made 32 from 23 balls before he was caught by Ben Curran at cover off Newman Nyamhuri in the eighth over. Hermann followed two overs later when he mistimed a slower delivery from Brad Evans and was caught by Ryan Burl at long on.

Despite losing both openers, South Africa maintained the momentum. Dewald Brevis continued his impressive tournament with 32 from 22 balls, while Rubin Hermann contributed 27. Duan Jansen then added an unbeaten 23 to help take the Proteas beyond the 200 mark for the second time in three days.

The absence of Lhuan dre Pretorius, who missed the final with a groin injury, did little to disrupt South Africa's batting plans.

Zimbabwe's chase unravelled almost immediately.

Eathan Bosch removed Ben Curran for a first ball duck before Duan Jansen struck twice during the powerplay. Zimbabwe slipped to 25 for four and were soon reduced to 57 for six, leaving their middle and lower order with an enormous task.

Jansen's pace and bounce caused particular problems, while Bjorn Fortuin continued his excellent tournament with another influential spell.

Fortuin removed Ryan Burl with his second delivery after coming into the attack, then produced an excellent catch in the field to dismiss Sikandar Raza from his own bowling. He later claimed the wicket of Nyamhuri to finish with three for 24.

Jansen also took three wickets for 38 runs, finishing the tournament as South Africa's leading wicket taker with 11 dismissals. Bosch claimed two for 22 as the Proteas attack maintained pressure throughout the innings.

Zimbabwe's Brad Evans provided the one significant highlight of their chase. After already taking two wickets during South Africa's innings, Evans produced a career best unbeaten 56 from 31 balls.

He found valuable support from Kundai Matigimu, with the pair adding 52 for the ninth wicket. By then, however, Zimbabwe's hopes of an unlikely recovery had disappeared. Matigimu made 19 from 11 balls before being dismissed in the 17th over.

Evans reached his first T20 International half century, but was left without the support required to challenge South Africa's total.

For Zimbabwe, the final represented another difficult batting display and their third defeat against South Africa during the series. For the Proteas, it was a strong collective performance in which the batting depth and variety of the bowling attack proved decisive.

The victory gives South Africa a positive start to the new season and valuable experience for a group containing several players looking to establish themselves at international level.

The Proteas will remain in Namibia for a three match ODI series against the hosts, beginning on Wednesday.

Photo: CSA X Account