Quinton de Kock’s magnificent performance in the opener against Zimbabwe was overshadowed by rain in Hobart in the T20 World Cup.
The Proteas were met with rain and overcast conditions in Hobart on Monday. The aim was to make sure that some cricket was played and the ground staff managed to do so with the match being reduced to 9 overs per side.
Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell found dangerous movement upfront. Parnell managed to find the first breakthrough to give SA the start they desired, mid-on taking a comfortable catch when Ervine attempted to clear the ring.
Lungi Ngidi was hit for six off his first delivery, but he found the wicket of Chakabva with a slower delivery which found the batter’s edge and another edge two balls later, dismissing the dangerous Raza for a duck.
David Miller reduced Zimbabwe to 19-4 with a brilliant direct hit from extra cover at the batter’s end.
Zimbabwe started to find some runs through boundaries and occasionally risky running between the wickets, Madhevere and Shumba stabilizing Zimbabwe’s innings.
They decided to target Rabada in the penultimate over and he went for 17 runs.
Nortje went for 10 in the final over of the innings.
Madhevere managed his highest score in a T20 World Cup with 35 off 18 balls. Their partnership of 55 off 33 balls was key to setting something to defend.
Zimbabwe posted 79 in their 9 overs.
Quinton de Kock was destructive in the opening over – 4 4 4 6 4 1. He hit 23 runs (4 fours and a six) in his opening over and took a single to keep the strike.
SA were 24-0 after 1.1 overs when the rain came back. Two overs were lost, and the match was reduced further to 64 in 7 overs.
De Kock continued to punish the Zimbabwe bowlers he hit 3 consecutive fours, a dot and then another four. He faced every ball in the opening two overs.
Along with Bavuma, they managed to string together a couple of singles, the skipper focusing on trying to keep De Kock on strike and he survived an umpire’s call. De Kock was on 47 off 18 balls.
The rain came back again, with the Proteas needing 13 off 24 balls and shared 1 point apiece.
PHOTO: EPA/LINDA HIGGINSON
