BEAT IT

THE Proteas are looking to regain their rhythm in Zimbabwe after losing to New Zealand by 21 runs on Wednesday. 

Facing the hosts, who they beat by five wickets in the first match of the series, at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday at 1pm, batting coach Ashwell Prince says they lacked rhythm in the second outing. 

Chasing 174 for victory, the Proteas faltered despite lekker individual efforts from Dewald Brevis (35), George Linde (30), and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (27), eventually being dismissed for 152 with 10 balls to spare.

New Zealand had earlier looked vulnerable at 74/5 before a game-changing 103-run stand between Tim Robinson and debutant Bevon Jacobs pushed their total to 173/5, proving decisive in the end.

And Prince believes that the Proteas should have gotten over the line. 

He said ahead of Sunday’s fourth match of the seven-game tri-series: “I thought it [New Zealand's total] was gettable. It was a good pitch. We didn’t get any rhythm going, really, particularly early on. 

“If you don’t do that, you’re kind of behind the eight ball, and you’re always trying to catch up. We managed to bring that down nicely. But at the same time, we kept losing wickets. So, it’s just about finding that balance when you’re chasing that score.”

With a few days to reset, the Proteas will be eager to fine-tune their approach, particularly at the top of the order, and come out firing against a spirited Zimbabwean side.

In off-field news, Cricket South Africa has announced the appointment of Patrick Moroney as the new Convenor Selector for the Proteas, a move that signals intent to build a stronger, more consistent national setup moving forward.