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The series opens with a blockbuster clash between the SA Proteas and the FNB Namibia Eagles at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground tomorrow afternoon, with tickets selling out fast and a packed stadium expected for the showdown. The match is the first of seven in the T20 series, with each team playing each other twice, while the top two will progress to the final on 6 September. Zimbabwe will depart after the T20 series, but the SA Proteas will remain in Windhoek for a three-match 50-over one day international (ODI) series from 9 to 13 September.
At the inauguration of the stadium last year, Namibia shocked the Proteas with a stunning four-wicket win, and the Proteas will be out to take revenge. Although several first-choice players like Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Ryan Rickleton, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj were not selected for the tour, South Africa has still sent a strong squad. Experienced spinner Bjorn Fortuin captains the side, which includes one of the world's most destructive T20 batters in Dewald Brevis, who already holds several records despite being only 23. In South Africa, he holds the record for the highest T20 score of 162 while playing for the Titans against the Knights, while his 150 came off only 52 balls – a world record.
On the international stage, he broke the South African T20 batting record when he scored an unbeaten 125 off 56 balls against Australia, also becoming the youngest South African to score a century in T20 internationals. The side includes several other exciting batters like Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Tony de Zorzi, the Hermann brothers, Rubin and Jordan, and Connor Esterhuizen; pace bowlers Kwena Maphaka, Lutho Sipamla, Nqobani Mokena, Eathan Bosch and Duan Jansen; and spinners Fortuin, Nqaba Peter and Prenalen Subrayen. A strong Zimbabwean team has also been announced, including most of their first-choice players, although pace bowlers Richard Ngarava and Tanaka Chivanga are unavailable due to injury.
They are captained by star all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who is currently the top-ranked T20 international all-rounder in the world, as well as the 29th-best bowler in T20 internationals. Their batting department is led by Brian Bennett, ranked 12th in the world in T20 internationals, who was also Zimbabwe's top scorer in a recent home series against Bangladesh. Dion Myers and Innocent Kaia add composure and quality at the top of the order, while Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Muramani and Ben Curran are known for their explosive batting and add depth in the middle order. The 2.03m pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani will lead their bowling attack, which includes fellow pace bowlers Evans, Kundai Matigimu and Newman Nyamhuri, and spinners Graeme Cremer, Ryan Burl and Wellington Masakadza.
Source: The Namibian
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