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Mehluli Sibanda   in Potchefstroom, South Africa

ZIMBABWE failed to put a good batting track to better use when they lost the second Twenty20 International cricket encounter by six wickets to South Africa at Senwes Park here last night.

The win by the Proteas saw them wrap up the three-match series with one fixture left at Willowmoore Park in Benoni tomorrow.

Sean Williams top scored for Zimbabwe with 41, followed by Brendan Taylor on 29, the Chevrons, who won the toss, chose to bat compiled 132-7 in 20 overs.  Pace bowlers, Robbie Frylinck, Dan Paterson and Lungi Ngidi did the damage with three wickets                                                 apiece. Paterson was named man of the match.

Such a score was never going to bother South Africa on what appeared like a batting wicket, the Proteas cruising to victory with 26 balls to spare. Jean-Paul Duminy struck an unbeaten 33 from 26 deliveries to see the home team over the line.

Zimbabwe’s top order continued to be their weak point, with the Chevrons finding themselves at 35/3 in 6.2 overs. It was left to Williams and Taylor to take Zimbabwe to respectable total.

Christopher Mpofu had Rassie van der Dussen for the second time in the series, the left hander chipping one back to the bowler who took a low catch. Brandon Mavuta claimed the scalp of the dangerous Quinton de Cock, the explosive opener chopping one onto his own stumps to depart for 26. Left arm spinner Williams struck with his first delivery when he bowled, getting rid of South African captain Faf du Plessis.

Williams had his second, Heinrich Klaasen taken in the deep by Mavuta, with that being the last cheer for Zimbabwe on the night as Duminy finished the game with a boundary off Mpofu’s bowling.

Score:

South Africa (Duminy 33, De Cock 26, Williams 2/25) Zimbabwe 132-7 (Williams 41, Taylor 29, Frylinck 2/20, Paterson 2/22, Ngidi 2/36) by six wickets