The South African Cricket team shone in T20 Tri-Series in Harare, Zimbabwe. This was when the Proteas was called upon to put in their efforts against Zimbabwe and New Zealand teams respectively. The Proteas took out their Zimbabwean hosts with a five-wicket win. George Linde scored with the ball for South Africa. He took three wickets in as many overs and only conceding eight runs in their victory.
George Linde starred with the ball for the Proteas, taking three wickets in as many overs and only conceding eight runs in their victory. Zimbabwe were put in to bat after losing the toss, and their innings got off to a poor start when opener Wessly Madhevere (one) stepped onto his own stumps. Sikander Raza (54 not out) anchored the innings for Zimbabwe, but they failed to accelerate the run rate in the latter overs of their innings, setting a total of just 141-6. South Africa’s innings did not start much better when Lhuan-dre Pretorius was caught and bowled by Richard Ngarava (3-35) for a golden duck on his T20I debut. The visitors were reduced to 38-3, but Rubin Hermann (45) settled their innings before Dewald Brevis (41 off 17) and Corbin Bosch (23 not out) fired them over the line with 25 balls to spare.
South Africa has been blessed with finest batsmen and bowlers to be on the Proteas. The team has done the country proudly. The game was a tough match for both teams on either side of the wickets. The skill and talent of Lhuandre Pretorius, Rubin Hermann, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch and the like have proven themselves against the tests of endurance in practice and during a tournament match. Scoring against Zimbabwe’s national team would have taken a great focus on skill and effort. The Proteas would have sent the Zimbabwean Cricket team back to the drawing board depending on what the Zimbabwean team was able to learn. The Proteas were able to juggle the pressure of the watchful spectators in the stadium and the preparation of the Zimbabweans to win. The balls Brevis and Bosch were able to score carried them on the path to achieve victory.
Corbin Bosch finished unbeaten on 23 as the visitors wrapped up the chase in under 16 overs. Player of the Match Dewald Brevis summed it up best after the game: “It’s a huge privilege to represent South Africa and make an impact, that’s what I kept thinking out there. I just focused on watching the ball; God’s blessed me with this talent and I play for Him. For me, if it’s a boundary opportunity, it has to go, no matter the ground size.” He added, “We knew we were in a tricky spot, but not chasing a huge total, so there was no need to panic. The plan was simple: stay calm, play our game, and the runs would come.”
This was a game that tested patience and wit as well as skill and talent. Bosch and Brevis had their work cut out. Juggling a T20 Tri-Series match with the intensity and fame of professional cricket is not an easy task. The players will have had all eyes from across the cricketing world watching them. The cricketers would have had been under immense scrutiny. Staying calm is an essential part in keeping up a profession career. If you want to keep the scores professionally you have to be prepared for the opposing team which is itself made up professional players. Talent can take many forms but practice knows no laxity. This was a match which South Africans and Zimbabwean alike could be proud of. It was battle of wits as well as talent.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
