Spinner Subrayen praises Proteas bowling response against Zimbabwe after Namibia setback

By IOL Prenelan Subrayen believes the Proteas’ bowling unit showed the character required to bounce back from their disappointing defeat to Namibia after helping South Africa secure a convincing seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Windhoek on Saturday. South Africa conceded 163/9 against the hosts on Friday before losing by 18 runs, but their bowlers were more disciplined against Zimbabwe, restricting them to 144/8 at the Namibia Cricket Ground. Subrayen, who finished with 2/25, said the bowling group had used Friday’s disappointment as an opportunity to identify the areas they needed to improve.

“It was a case of us reflecting in the change room yesterday after the day’s play and then also looking into ways we can be better, especially the small areas,” he said after Saturday’s win. “I think the bowling unit came out today and they really fired.” The response was particularly impressive after Zimbabwe made a fast start, reaching 54/1 during the powerplay. Subrayen, skipper Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen and the other bowlers then applied the brakes, with Zimbabwe managing only 90 runs from the final 14 overs.

Subrayen also credited Fortuin for helping the bowlers stay composed and focused during difficult periods, when asked if they had needed a mindset shift after Friday’s loss. “I don’t think it was much of a mindset thing,” he said. “I think working with the captain and the way he leads the team, he takes a lot of the load off your shoulders.

His ability to think about the game and read the game definitely helps you as a bowler and helps you think about every single ball as you need to.” The performance was another positive sign for a relatively inexperienced Proteas squad, with Jansen, Ethan Bosch and Kwena Maphaka among those gaining valuable exposure during the tri-series. Subrayen knows Jansen particularly well, having played alongside the all-rounder at the Joburg Super Kings, while he was also a teammate of Bosch at the Dolphins. “Knowing them as people and what they bring to the table, as well as them as cricketers, I think they fit in really well,” he said.

While South Africa’s bowling unit played its part, Dewald Brevis again stole the show with the bat. After scoring 75 off 50 balls in Friday’s defeat, Brevis smashed an unbeaten 75 off just 32 deliveries on Saturday to power the Proteas to victory with 36 balls to spare.