Black Caps defeat leaves Proteas seeking 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 T20I 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 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 lineup, 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.