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 Lhuan-dre 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.

The MI Cape Town starlet brought an immediate impetus to the Proteas’ innings with a flurry of boundaries.