AI Simulation, ZIM vs SA | Coetzee and Hendricks star in opening game at Harare

‌‌Pitch and Weather

Though the wicket at the Harare Sports Club was slightly on the drier side, the conditions still seemed perfect for batting in the first innings. However, as the game progressed, the spinners managed to get some grip and turn off the surface going into the second innings of the game.

The temperature in Harare was 22 degrees Celsius. It was a nice and cool afternoon, where the weather remained clear throughout the game.

Toss

South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl.

Lineups

Zimbabwe XI: Brian Bennet, Sikandar Raza (c), Wesley Madhevere, Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu.

South Africa XI: Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen (c), Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka.

Match Report

South Africa's stand-in skipper, Rassie van der Dussen, won the toss and elected to bowl first. Openers Brian Bennet and Clive Madande came out with positive intent in the first three overs but the Proteas struck back by dismissing both batters in quick succession to leave Zimbabwe at 55/2 after six overs. The Chevrons looked comfortable thereafter as skipper Sikandar Raza (38 off 24) and all-rounder Wessly Madhevere (24 off 21) managed to form a decent partnership. Unfortunately for the hosts, things took a drastic turn after Raza mistimed a pull shot off a well-directed bouncer by Gerald Coetzee which went straight into the hands of Dewald Brevis at deep square leg. The home side's struggled continued when left-arm spinner George Linde also entered the wickets column by dismissing the dangerous Ryan Burl and Dion Myers in the 15th over. Coetzee returned in the 17th over to get a couple of more scalps and ended with figures of 3/26 in his four over before Lungi Ngidi and Kwena Maphaka kept discipline at the death to restricted Zimbabwe to 149/8.

The Proteas started their innings slowly as Zimbabwean pacers Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava bowled good lines with the new ball. Debutant opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius struggled to get going and eventually edged it through to the keeper after chasing the ball outside off-stump off Muzarabani. Though South Africa could manage to score only 45 runs for the loss of one wicket in the powerplay, Reeza Hendricks and van der Dussen steadied the innings in the middle. While Hendricks brought up his 18th half-century in T20Is, scoring 52 off 36 deliveries, Rassie made sure he supported him with his knock of 41 off 34 deliveries. The Men in Red did give themselves a slight chance when Raza and Masakadza dried up the runs to eventually dismissed the two set batters , followed by Blessing uprooting Corbin Bosch’s off-stump, until Brevis' brilliant cameo doused all hopes. The power-hitter remained unbeaten on 28 off just 14 deliveries and scored the winning runs to ensure a six-wicket win with nine balls to spare.

Player of the Match

South African pacer Gerald Coetzee was named the player of the match for his crucial spell in the middle overs, which helped restrict Zimbabwe in the first innings.

Scorecard