Black Caps defeat has experimental Proteas searching for balance

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 T201 Tri-Series at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.

- ONGAMA GCWABE

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 Lhuandre 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 lineup, get a partnership early on," Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince said.