The hosts won the toss and chose to bat first, scoring a very decent 208 on Saturday afternoon.  The two openers struggled against some excellent spin-bowling by Bjorn Fortuin (1 for 21) and new-comer Nqaba Peter (2 for 32).  But they accelerated in the middle and later period, thanks to a 56-run fourth-wicket partnership between Roston Chase and Andre Fletcher and a 63-run fifth-wicket stand off between Chase and Romario Sheperd. The two partnership also secured Chase’s first T20 fifty.

Lungi Ngidi (2 for 41) and Andile Phehlukwayo (2 for 51) both took two wickets as well, but were expensive, as was Anrich Nortje who didn’t take any wickets for 47 runs.

South Africa’s seasoned openers, Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks, were quick out of the blocks as expected and scored 100 runs in eight overs, before De Kock fell to Akeal Hosein with 41 runs on the board. Hendricks was dismissed by Chase for 34.  The middle order – without Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaassen, Tristan Stubbs and David Miller – never got going and the Proteas were all out for 191. 

The third and final T20 match will take place on Sunday night and starts at 21:00.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger