Latest news with #Proteas'
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Black Caps defeat has experimental Proteas searching for balance
STUMPED Proteas captain Rassie van der Dussen walks back despondently after being run-out in his team's 21-run defeat to New Zealand in Harare on Wednesday. Picture: Zimbabwe Cricket Image: Zimbabwe Cricket The Proteas' failure to build partnerships cost them dearly as they slumped to a 21-run defeat to New Zealand in their second match of the T20I Tri-Series at the Harare Sports Club yesterday. Both teams were evenly matched at the halfway stage, but a 103-run sixth-wicket partnership between Tim Robinson and debutant Bevon Jacobs lifted the Black Caps to 173/5 from a precarious 74/5. In contrast, the Proteas lost wickets at regular intervals despite solid contributions from Dewald Brevis (35), George Linde (30), and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (27) to eventually be bowled out for 152 with 10 balls still remaining in their innings. "I thought it was gettable. It was a good pitch. We didn't get any rhythm going, really, with our batting, particularly early on in the batting department. I think that's quite key when you're chasing a score, just getting some sort of rhythm going in the line-up, get a partnership early on," Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince said. "If you don't do that, you're kind of behind the eight ball, and you're always trying to catch up. We know that we have the power to catch up, keeping an eye on the difference between the runs required and the balls left, and we managed to bring that down nicely. But at the same time, we kept losing wickets. So, it's just about finding that balance when you're chasing that score." The fact that the entire Tri-Series is being played at the Harare Sports Club also played a part in how the Proteas approached the run-chase. The coaching staff tried to maintain a left-right batting combination in the middle as Rubin Herman (1) and Senuran Muthusamy (7) found themselves being promoted up the order to No 3 and 4 respectively, as the management looked to take advantage of the smaller side of the ground for boundaries. While the proactive decision didn't work, Prince gave a reason behind the decision-making. "I think today's lineup was maybe a little bit experimental as well in terms of left-right combinations, all those types of things that you try and put in place to try and maximise the short boundary," said Prince. "You know, next time we play, it might be in the middle of the pitch, then you don't make a decision like that. So it'll be different. Next game, you play what's in front of you. We know that we have the firepower to win every game in the series. But we also respect our position. We are also beatable." While the batters had an off day yesterday, the bowlers had a good shift upfront, with Kwena Maphaka (2/38) leading showing intent with the new ball, while left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy (1/19) was impressive on debut. "I felt we bowled really well. The plans were pretty good, we used the bouncer pretty well and that brought us a few wickets. Sen Muthusamy on debut, I think he bowled four overs for 19 and took one for 19, so that was outstanding," said Prince. "I think they (New Zealand) had a good finish towards the end. The two guys played really well in that partnership towards the end, which gave them a competitive score, but still a gettable score. So the bowling, I think, was pretty good." Having won one and lost one in their first two games of the Tri-Series thus far, the Proteas will have a few days off and return to action on Sunday when they take on Zimbabwe.
Daily Maverick
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Proteas embrace youthful energy in T20I tri-series with sights set on World Cup glory
South Africa's next-best players vie for the opening spots against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in Proteas' best T20 squad. T20 is firmly in focus for the Proteas as they're currently engaged in a T20I tri-series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in the neighbouring country. Proteas coach Shukri Conrad, in his first official series as white-ball coach, and as sole selector of the side, has opted for youth to carry the battle to Zimbabwe and the Black Caps. So far it has worked a treat, with South Africa victorious in the opening encounter against the Chevrons on Monday, 14 July 2025, with fringe players George Linde, Dewald Brevis and Rubin Hermann all playing vital roles in the team's five-wicket win. Hermann was one of three players on T20I debut alongside Corbin Bosch and Lhuan-dre Pretorius. Bosch went at nine an over in a match in which Zimbabwe only scored 141, and Pretorius fell for a golden duck. Hermann, meanwhile, after an impressive SA20 season at the start of the year for Paarl Royals where he scored 333 runs at an average of 41.62 in nine innings, carried that into the international stage after being rewarded. The 28-year-old southpaw clubbed a team-high 45 off 37 deliveries, which included five fours and one six. However, not just happy with a solid international debut, Hermann was kicking himself at not finishing the job, having been dismissed with the team needing 12 more to seal the win. 'I was a bit more irritated that I left 12 runs on the table before I could actually shake hands with the guys and say I'll pull the stumps out and end this game,' Hermann said at the post-match conference. 'That was effectively my role, just to be there at the end. I was disappointed I couldn't do that, but maybe I am just nitpicking. Probably anyone would have taken that. 'But I want to be a guy to win games for South Africa, and I should have been there at the end.' Packed schedule Outside of four Tests on the subcontinent toward the end of the year, South Africa's schedule is packed with white-ball matches until the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February. South Africa travel to Australia and England in August and September for three one-day internationals and three T20Is in each country, and then have eight T20Is in total against Pakistan and India and then five T20Is against West Indies at home at the start of next year. Toss in the SA20 that starts in December this year, and that's a lot of the shortest format of the game being played by the country's best cricketers. On the international front, it allows Conrad to assess his options thoroughly heading into his first tournament as white-ball head coach. He's laid down the marker already with regards to his spin bowling options, declaring that the tweakers in the squad in Zimbabwe are the front runners to be part of his T20 World Cup squad. The two spin bowlers who were at the last T20 World Cup, under Rob Walter in 2024, were stalwart Keshav Maharaj and the highest wicket-taker for South Africa in the format, Tabraiz Shamsi. Inside lane In the current squad are Linde, Senuran Muthusamy and Nqaba Peter. Linde collected three wickets for 10 runs with the ball against Zimbabwe while Peter collected one scalp and conceded 22 runs in his three overs. Linde is also more than handy with the bat, although he didn't get to prove it on Monday, scoring an undefeated run-a-ball three at the end of the match. The all-rounder made his international debut in 2020, but under Walter and Mark Boucher before him was in and out of the national squad, only appearing 16 times in the five years after, since Conrad took over. But he now feels backed and confident to perform regularly for the national side. 'We had a good conversation a month or two ago,' Linde said of his talks with Conrad. 'It was positive, and he did say he wants me to be part of this T20 squad, and then we'll take things from there. 'I told him I want to play for South Africa, I want to make myself available and I want to give myself the best chance to play for South Africa. It gives you a little bit more confidence. You can play with a little bit more freedom. 'But I still don't really think too far ahead. I'm just trying to focus on the process now and take it game by game. If I don't do well and Shuks decides no, I'm not the guy for him, then so be it. 'I'm just trying to do my best, and if I do well and I'm on that plane to the World Cup, happy days. It's always been a dream of mine to represent South Africa in the World Cup.' DM
India.com
15-07-2025
- Sport
- India.com
West Indies All Out For 27: Full List Of Top 10 Lowest Total In Test History
photoDetails english 2931992 Updated:Jul 15, 2025, 09:37 AM IST 1. New Zealand – 26 All Out vs England (Auckland, 1955) 1 / 10 New Zealand's 26 remains the lowest-ever total in Test cricket. On a green top at Eden Park, England's fast bowlers made history, dismissing the Kiwis in just 27 overs. 2. West Indies – 27 All Out vs Australia (Kingston, 2025) 2 / 10 A record-breaking collapse saw 7 West Indies batters dismissed for ducks, setting the record for most ducks in a Test innings. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland dismantled them in 14.3 overs. 3. South Africa – 30 All Out vs England (Gqeberha, 1896) 3 / 10 In one of the earliest Test blowouts, South Africa were routed for 30 in under 19 overs. England's dominance with the ball reflected the early imbalance in Test cricket. 4. South Africa – 30 All Out vs England (Birmingham, 1924) 4 / 10 Facing relentless swing bowling, South Africa were bundled out in just 12.3 overs at Edgbaston. This remains one of the fastest and most lopsided innings in Test history. 5. South Africa – 35 All Out vs England (Cape Town, 1899) 5 / 10 Back in the early days of cricket, South Africa were no match for England's bowlers at home, getting dismissed for 35 in a dismal fourth innings effort. 6. South Africa – 36 All Out vs Australia (Melbourne, 1932) 6 / 10 South Africa's recurring collapses continued in 1932 as Australia's seamers blew them away. This marked the Proteas' fourth entry in the bottom-six lowest Test totals. 7. Australia – 36 All Out vs England (Birmingham, 1902) 7 / 10 Even cricketing giants like Australia have suffered. In a classic Ashes battle, the Aussies were skittled for 36—a rare blemish in their proud Test history. 8. India – 36 All Out vs Australia (Adelaide, 2020) 8 / 10 In the pink-ball Test era, India faced one of their darkest days. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ran riot, reducing India to their lowest-ever Test score in just 21.2 overs. 9. Ireland – 38 All Out vs England (Lord's, 2019) 9 / 10 Ireland's promising debut at the Home of Cricket ended in heartbreak. England's seamers demolished the visitors in 15.4 overs, highlighting the steep learning curve in Test cricket. 10. New Zealand – 42 All Out vs Australia (Wellington, 1946) 10 / 10 After WWII, New Zealand's return to Tests saw them collapse for 42 against Australia in Wellington. Despite a full-strength side, they couldn't handle the pace and swing.
India Today
14-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
ZIM vs SA: Hermann, Brevis star as South Africa win 1st match of tri-series
South African batter Rubin Hermann made an impressive T20 debut and led the Proteas to a five-wicket victory against Zimbabwe in the opening game of the tri-series on Monday. The 28-year-old Herman top-scored with 45 off 37 balls and made up for the top-order collapse before South Africa cruised to 142-5 in 15.5 overs in its first T20 this Brevis smashed five sixes in his belligerent 41 off just 17 balls in a strong Proteas was earlier limited to 141-6, despite an unbeaten 54 from its skipper Sikandar Raza, with George Linde picking up 3-10 after South Africa captain Rassie van der Dussen won the toss and elected to field. Fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi (1-15) and Nandre Burger (1-22), returning after an almost 10-month absence from lower-back stress fracture, bowled well upfront before Raza and Ryan Burl (29) provided the acceleration for Zimbabwe in the second half of the Africa will take on New Zealand in the second game of the tri-series on and Brevis control the chaseTall fast bowler Richard Ngarava (3-35) struck twice inside the powerplay when another debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius offered a return catch off the first legitimate ball in Proteas' chase and Reeza Hendricks' middle stump was knocked over when he tried to go for an ambitious drive and got a big inside van der Dussen struck two sixes, but was caught at mid-on off fast bowler Trevor Gwandu (2-15) as South Africa slipped to 3-38 in the sixth Herman and Brevis steadied the chase with 72-run stand as Brevis smashed Burl for 25 runs in one over that featured three sixes and a boundary. Brevis fell in the 12th over when he tried to hit Gwandu inside out over extra cover and sliced a catch to Bennett. Ngarava flattened Hermann's off-stump off a ball that kept a bit low with only 12 needed for and spin pin down ZimbabweFast bowlers Ngidi and Burger didn't allow Zimbabwe batters to score freely in the first half and Brian Bennett's (30) patience also ran out as he holed out to deep mid-wicket when he tried to push the acceleration against Linde in the 11th and Burl tried to up the ante in the death overs but Burl was caught by Hermann at long off in the 18th over after scoring 29 off 20 picked up two wickets of successive balls in the final over before Wellington Masakadza avoided the hat-trick ball, but left-arm spinner Linde finished off well without conceding a boundary off his three overs.- Ends
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hermann's debut heroics lead South Africa to T20 victory over Zimbabwe
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — South African batter Rubin Hermann made an impressive T20 debut and led Proteas to a five-wicket victory against Zimbabwe in the opening game of the tri-series on Monday. The 28-year-old Herman top-scored with 45 off 37 balls and made up for the top-order collapse before South Africa cruised to 142-5 in 15.5 overs in its first T20 this year. Advertisement Dewald Brevis smashed five sixes in his belligerent 41 off just 17 balls in a strong Proteas chase. Zimbabwe was earlier limited to 141-6, despite an unbeaten 54 from its skipper Sikandar Raza, with George Linde picking up 3-10 after South Africa captain Rassie van der Dussen won the toss and elected to field. Fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi (1-15) and Nandre Burger (1-22), returning after almost 10-month absence from lower-back stress fracture, bowled well upfront before Raza and Ryan Burl (29) provided the acceleration for Zimbabwe in the second half of the innings. South Africa will take on New Zealand in the second game of the tri-series on Wednesday. Advertisement Hermann and Brevis control the chase Tall fast bowler Richard Ngarava (3-35) struck twice inside the powerplay when another debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius offered a return catch off the first legitimate ball in Proteas' chase and Reeza Hendricks' middle stump was knocked over when he tried to go for an ambitious drive and got a big inside edge. Captain van der Dussen struck two sixes, but was caught at mid-on off fast bowler Trevor Gwandu (2-15) as South Africa slipped to 3-38 in the sixth over. But Herman and Brevis steadied the chase with 72-run stand as Brevis smashed Burl for 25 runs in one over that featured three sixes and a boundary. Brevis fell in the 12th over when he tried to hit Gwandu inside out over extra cover and sliced a catch to Bennett. Ngarava flattened Hermann's off-stump off a ball that kept a bit low with only 12 needed for victory. Advertisement Pace and spin pin down Zimbabwe Fast bowlers Ngidi and Burger didn't allow Zimbabwe batters to score freely in the first half and Brian Bennett's (30) patience also ran out as he holed out to deep mid-wicket when he tried to push the acceleration against Linde in the 11th over. Raza and Burl tried to up the ante in the death overs but Burl was caught by Hermann at long off in the 18th over after scoring 29 off 20 balls. Linde picked up two wickets of successive balls in the final over before Wellington Masakadza avoided the hat-trick ball, but left-arm spinner Linde finished off well without conceding a boundary off his three overs. ___ AP cricket:
