Jordan Hermann, Connor Esterhuizen Hit Fifties As South Africa Crush Namibia

Jordan Hermann, Connor Esterhuizen Hit Fifties As South Africa Crush Namibia (Jordan Hermann and Connor Esterhuizen )

Openers Jordan Hermann and Connor Esterhuizen scored half-centuries as South Africa hammered Namibia by nine wickets on Sunday to complete the sweep of three one-day internationals.

South Africa are third in the ODI rankings and second-tier cricket nation Namibia 16th, and the gulf in class was demonstrated in Windhoek over five days.

The visitors won the rain-shortened first ODI by 99 runs and the second by 157 runs with the same squad that won a preceding Twenty20 tri-series involving Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Hermann and Esterhuizen, two of the players given opportunities in a young, experimental South African side, have starred in the ODI series. Both struck centuries in earlier matches.

On Sunday, Hermann top scored with 77 and Esterhuizen was unbeaten on 68 as South Africa, chasing 157 to win, reached the target for the loss of only one wicket after 21.3 overs.

Hermann fell after facing 59 balls when a low, angled delivery from seamer Waldo Smith uprooted the stumps. His knock included 13 fours.

Esterhuizen hit three sixes and four fours off 68 deliveries before Dewald Brevis sealed victory through a fiercely struck six.

Namibia won the toss and posted 156 with wicketkeeper Zane Green the last man out after top scoring with 33 runs.

The innings ended when a Green chip eluded the covers, but not captain Bjorn Fortuin, who dashed from extra cover to make a spectacular diving catch.

Spinner Fortuin (4-33) was the most successful South African bowler and is in the squad that will host world champions Australia in a three-match ODI series from September 24.

Brief scores

Namibia 156 in 36.2 overs (Z. Green 33, A. Busing-Volschenk 31; B. Fortuin 4-33) v South Africa 157-1 in 21.3 overs (J. Hermann 77, C. Esterhuizen 68 not out)

Result: South Africa won by nine wickets

Toss: Namibia

Series: South Africa won 3-0