South Africa ‘A’ clinch T20 series with soul-crushing victory

South Africa ‘A’ handed Zimbabwe XI and devastating 142-run victory over Zimbabwe XI in a T20 match at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Put in to bat first, South Africa ‘A’ had a shaky start, as they were reduced to 28 for the loss of two wickets at the 3.2 overs. Tendai Chatara removed the dangerous Lesiba Ngoepe for 19. Soon after, Wessly Madhevere bowled Reeza Hendricks for three.

Captain Hendrick Klaasen started the rebuilding work, and together Ryan Rickleton combined 97. Wellington Masakadza forced Klaasen into a false shot for a brisk 56 off 31 balls. Rickleton followed soon after for 47, a brilliant catch collected by keeper Richmond Mutumbami of the bowling of Tanaka Chivanga.

Wickets then fell at regular intervals, and Zimbabwe XI would have been happy to have restricted the South Africans to 184 for the loss of eight wickets.

Chivanga took three for 29 and Madhevere two for nine.

Zimbabwe were a disaster in their batting and were limited to 42 for nine. Masakadza could not come out to bat after picking an injury while bowling.

Only Mutumbami got to double figures, making 16. Poor shot-making was the death of Zimbabwe XI.

Junior Dala, seeing the first action for the first time in the series, took three for 12, Bjorn Fortuin two for four and Lizaad Williams two for seven.

The two sides meet again at the same venue on Sunday, before rounding off the series on Tuesday.

South Africa A lead the five-match series 3-0.