South Africa Beat Zimbabwe To Book Tri-Series Final Clash With New Zealand (Proteas Men/X)
Rubin Hermann hit four sixes and 63 runs as South Africa beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets with 16 balls remaining in a T20 tri-series match on Sunday. The comfortable win means South Africa and New Zealand will contest the final on Saturday after Zimbabwe lost for the third straight time.
Chasing a target of 145, Hermann and captain Rassie van der Dussen (52 not out in 41 deliveries) led the chase at Harare Sports Club. They took South Africa from 22-2 to 128-3 when Hermann, who also hit three fours in his 36-ball innings, was bowled by Richard Ngarava.
Van der Dussen was there at the end with Dewald Brevis as South Africa scored 145-3 in 17.2 overs, winning the match with a wide bowled by Trevor Gwandu. Zimbabwe earlier lost the toss and scored 144-6 in its 20 overs.
Brian Bennett top-scored for the hosts with a 43-ball 61, which included three sixes and seven fours. Bennett shared a 78-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Ryan Burl (36 not out in 31 balls). Fast-medium pacer Corbin Bosch took 2-16 in four overs. Table-topper New Zealand plays second-placed South Africa in a dead-rubber match on Tuesday. Both teams have four points but the South Africans have played one more game.
South Africa captain Rassie van der Dussen expressed delight at the win and lauded the players for their efforts. “Overall improvements, really chuffed with the bowling, both pacers and spinners – the last few overs were brilliant. We lost two early wickets, pressure again (with the bat), but I think we did well. The outfield was slightly bumpy, can do better in the field, but no real complaints. It’s been the thing as a series (playing against New Zealand), we’ll look at it as a 3-match series, we’ll play them once again before the final, look to make it 1-1 before the big game. Spinners have had it tough, George (Linde) might be a bit disappointed, but he was bowling to a short boundary. I love playing here, the crowd is informed and that gives us a lot of energy in the field,” he said.