Fortuin, Hermann and Esterhuizen lead Proteas to crushing win

Bjorn Fortuin grabbed career-best figures while openers Jordan Hermann and Connor Esterhuizen blasted half-centuries as the Proteas cruised to a nine-wicket victory in the third and final ODI against Namibia at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Winkhoek on Sunday. The win gives the visitors their third lopsided win in the series this week.

Set to score 157 after they had dismissed Namibia for 156 in 36.2 overs, the Proteas raced to victory in 21.3 overs with openers Jordan Hermann (77 off 59 balls) and Connor Esterhuizen (68* at a run a ball) carving out half-centuries to go with their hundreds earlier in the week. It was help-yourself cricket for the South African batters who struck a combined total of 17 fours and four sixes in their brief stay against some generous bowling by the hosts.

There was a smile at the death, however, for Namibian paceman Waldo Smith who yorked Hermann for his first international wicket, but the match was over immediately afterwards when Dewald Brevis blasted a huge six off his second ball to clinch victory.

Indeed, the day game was all over by 2.15pm with the gulf in class between a Full member and an Associate member of the ICC being graphically exposed.

Earlier, South Africa’s captain, Bjorn Fortuin, grabbed career-best figures of 4/33 in 10 overs as the Proteas dominated the Namibian batters yet again after the hosts batted first after winning the toss for the third consecutive time.

The visitors’ opening attack of Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka was pacy and hostile and Michael van Lingen was soon out, well caught on the square-leg boundary by Maphaka attempting to hook. Maphaka then beat Jan Frylinck for pace with a full and straight one, shattering his stumps.

Bent on survival, Alexander Busing-Volschenk and Louren Steenkamp featured in a conservative partnership of 53 in 83 balls to partially resurrect the innings before Steenkamp became Fortuin’s first victim, bowled after being beaten through the air by a slower, fuller delivery.

Steenkamp’s dismissal was the first of three wickets to fall for seven runs in two overs, with Busing-Volschenk being run out after a direct hit on the stumps from fielder Nqobani Mokoena and then skipper Gerhard Erasmus holing out off Fortuin to Mokoena at long-off.

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton was leg before sweeping at Fortuin who completed his four-for when he bowled Waldo Smith.

It was left to wicketkeeper Zane Green (33 off 42 balls) and tailender Max Heingo to provide the innings with a final flourish with the latter raising some belated cheers from spectators as he belted an unbeaten 20 in six balls with two sixes and two fours.

Aside from his excellent bowling figures in which he baffled the Namibian batters with exquisite control and occasional turn, Fortuin pulled off the catch of the innings, diving full length running back in the covers to dismiss Green to end the innings. Maphaka and legspinner Nqaba Peter captured a couple of wickets each as Namibia again disappointed with the bat.

Jordan Hermann was made the Batter of the Series and the Player of the Series while Namibia’s Ruben Trumpelmann was made Bowler of the Series.

Player of the match Fortuin commented afterwards: “We spoke about it in the T20Is, different guys contributing in different games. Game time is precious and the best learnings happen on the field. It was nice to come back here and play some cricket.”

Namibia: Michael van Lingen, Alex Busing-Volschenck, Jan Frylinck, Louren Steenkamp, Gerhard Erasmus (capt), Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Zane Green (wk), Ruben Trumpelmann, Waldo Smith, Jack Brassell, Max Heingo

South Africa: Jordan Hermann, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Jason Smith, Corbin Bosch, Eathan Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin (capt), Nqobani Mokoena, Nqaba Peter, Kwena Maphaka