South African opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius powered his side to a comfortable 43-run victory over Zimbabwe on Tuesday in the fourth match of the Twenty20 tri-series also involving hosts Namibia.
Pretorius came close to a maiden T20 international century, scoring 94 as South Africa elected to bat first and scored 185-7 at the Namibia Cricket Ground.
It was a welcome return to form for Pretorius – who had managed just scores of 9 and 22 through the opening two matches of the tri-series – with the 20-year-=old confirming he had spoken with recently retired Proteas batter Heinrich Klaasen in a bid to change his fortunes.
“I spoke to Heinrich Klaasen,” Pretorius said.
“Coming off a couple of low scores in The Hundred and the first two games here, I just feel like I had to speak to him. He’s obviously played a lot of T20 cricket around the world, and he’s experienced most things – all the ups and all the downs, lows and highs. And I felt like he’s a good person to speak to.
“We obviously play different roles. He (Klaasen) bats in the middle, but he’s experienced it.
“It’s more about mindset. I feel like we can speak, and we have some similarities around it. And he really helped me in terms of my mindset going into today.”
While disappointed not to score his maiden international century, Pretorius was thrilled he could contribute to the win.
“I wasn’t too fussed about it. I believe that milestones will come and go.” he said.
“It’s a team sport. If I was worried about my milestone, I should rather play tennis or golf. So I wasn’t too upset about it.”
Zimbabwe were bowled out for 142 in reply with captain Sikandar Raza top-scoring with 45 and pace bowler Duan Jansen taking 3-21.
Pretorius hit 15 boundaries in his 51-ball innings before being bowled in the penultimate over. He and Dewald Brevis, who scored 41, added 86 runs for the second-wicket partnership.
Zimbabwe quickly had their backs to the wall, teetering on 66-8 in the 10th over before the last two partnerships gave their scorecard respectability. They were dismissed after 17.4 overs.
Zimbabwe take on Namibia on Thursday, followed by Namibia against South Africa in the last of the round-robin matches. The two teams with the most points after four matches each will contest Sunday’s final.
