Brevis show gets Conrad's T20 era underway

DEBUTANT Rubin Hermann top-scored with 45 and Dewald Brevis hit quickfire 41 to ensure Shukri Conrad's tenure as the new Proteas white-ball coach started on a positive note with a five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Monday.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

Conrad has enjoyed great success with the Test side, climaxing in the World Test Championship Final success at Lord's last month, but is embarking on a whole new journey with the limited-overs teams. The 57-year-old began by fielding three debutants in top-order batters Hermann and Lhuandre Pretorius along with allrounder Corbin Bosch.

The latter played his part too by guiding the Proteas' past Zimbabwe's 141/6 with an unbeaten 23 off 15 balls.

It was, however, Conrad's former SA U19 prodigy Dewald Brevis that made the biggest impact.

The Proteas were precariously placed at 38/3 after the dismissal of stand-in skipper Rassie van Dussen (16) towards the end of the Powerplay when Brevis walked to the crease.