Ahead of semi-final against Kiwis, Proteas try out their bench strength
New Delhi, March 2 -- South Africa, already qualified for the semi-finals, was keen not only to extend their unbeaten run but also to test their bench strength against Zimbabwe in their final Super Eights game. And with a five-wicket win in their last match before the semi-final against New Zealand in Kolkata, they did exactly that.
On match eve, batting coach Ashwell Prince had spoken about giving an opportunity to players who hadn't been playing regularly.
Kwena Maphaka, Anrich Nortje and George Linde - the guys coming in for Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj - provided a glimpse of what they had to offer should the team need their services in the all-important games to follow. Maphaka was the pick of the bowlers with 2/21 while Nortje bagged 1/29. Linde got 1/22 and an unbeaten 30 with the bat.
"We don't have wrist spinners or mystery spinners but we have always had fast bowlers. So we have focused on what yorkers, change ups, pace to bowl. And it has kind of worked out for us. We have added subtleties to the armoury. Today was about managing guys, we hope they run well after the rest (to Jansen, Rabada, Maharaj),"South Africa coach Shukri Conrad told reporters after the match.
Chasing 154, a rare top-order failure saw in-form Aiden Markram (4) and the explosive Quinton de Kock (0) depart early but it was an opportunity for the middle-order to step up. Zimbabwe kept chipping away with wickets but South Africa's firepower proved to be enough for SA to coast to a win.
Brief scores: Zimbabwe 153/7 (Raza 73, Maphaka 2/21). South Africa 154/5 (Brevis 42, Rickelton 31, Raza 3/29). SA won by 5 wikts...
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