South Africa warm up game ends in rain-affected tie

South Africa’s lone warn up game ahead of the Tri-nation series ended in a tie against the WICB President’s XI on Saturday night at the Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago.

In the rain affected day/night match, South Africa batsmen made full use of the opportunity before the rain took centre stage to end the game prematurely with the President’s XI on 127 for three in the 25th over.

Set a revised target of 124 from 24.1 overs, the pugnacious Evin Lewis who made his T20 International debut against Afghanistan during the recently concluded World T20, smacked a belligerent 71 not out from 61 balls.

Lewis hit six fours and four sixes and added 90 for the third wicket with West Indies Under-19 captain Shimron Hetmyer who made 29, striking four boundaries, before being bowled by the leg-spin of Imran Tahir

Kraigg Brathwaite (09) and Jermaine Blackwood (07) were the other batsmen to be dismissed; Kyle Abbott, Kagiso Rabado and Tahir each took one wicket a piece.

The South African’s total of 280 for 9 was centred around Hasim Amla who made 92 (10×4’s) from 83 balls. Big hitting all-rounders Farhaan Behardien (36), Chris Morris (31), along with Abbott (43) and Aaron Phangiso (34) all chipped in with useful scores ahead of the Tri-Nation series.

The leg-spin of Jamaican Damion Jacobs was most impressive, as he snared 4-53 from his 10 overs and was supported by Trinidadian medium pacer Rayad Emrit who took 2-72.

South Africa, hosts West Indies and World Champions Australia get back into 50-Overs mode when the series opens in Guyana at the National Stadium, Providence on Friday.

The South Africans and Australians are scheduled to arrive in Guyana on today while the West Indies touched down yesterday.