A phenomenal unbeaten century by Jordan Hermann was not enough for South Africa A as New Zealand A claimed a consolation 18-run win on the DLS Method in the final one-day match in Benoni on Wednesday.
The left-hander, Player of the Match in game two where he scored a ton and claimed three wickets, finished 14 runs short of a double century after recording 186* off 153 balls, slamming 26 fours and three sixes along the way. It was his fourth List A century.
Rivaldo Moonsamy supported him well with 73 off 88 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes) with the home side posting an imposing 348 for five after winning the toss and batting.
Then in reply, the tourists gave the chase a real go thanks to Dale Phillips’ 147 (109 balls, 18 fours, 5 sixes). That effort was just enough after his side reached 310 for four when the weather intervened with five overs remaining, securing a narrow win. Jordan was also the best of the bowlers, bagging two for 57.
It ended the closest match of the series, which was already decided after the hosts had gone 2-0 up after two games, eventually settling for a 2-1 scoreline. The two sides now move on to their two-match four-day series starting in Potchefstroom on 7 September.
There was no third century of the series for Jordan’s older brother Rubin after he fell for 13. Prior to the final match, he had scored 158* and 109.
But Jordan kept the family name flying. He came together with Moonsamy and put on 159 for the second wicket as the home side reached the 30-over mark in a powerful position.
After the latter departed, captain Marques Ackerman (25) helped the centurion put on 75 for the third wicket, before a stand of 54 between Sinethemba Qeshile (24) and Jordan for the fourth wicket.
The latter then cut loose at the death to propel the hosts to an imposing target of 349.
Tshepo Moreki (1/59), with seven wickets already to his name in the series, then struck with his third ball of the innings to leave the Kiwis on none for one – Rhys Mariu falling for a duck.
South African-born Phillips, whose older brother Glenn is a regular for the BLACK CAPS, then put on 135 for the second wicket with Joe Carter (47), before another century stand of 113 for the third wicket alongside Muhammad Abbas (66 off 70 balls, 6 fours).
Unfortunately for the tourists, it was Phillips to fall at that stage, but Abbas kept them in the hunt with a 45-run stand alongside Curtis Heaphy (30*).
New Zealand got 17 more when rain intervened to bring a premature end to proceedings. But they were ahead of the game at that stage and secured a fighting win.
South Africa A One-Day squad against New Zealand A
Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Okuhle Cele (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Rubin Hermann (North West Dragons), Tristan Luus (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepo Moreki (World Sports Betting Western Province), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tsepo Ndwandwa (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lutho Sipamla (DP World Lions), and Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).
Fixtures - One-Day Matches
Saturday, 30 August at 10am
South Africa A beat New Zealand A by 3 wickets - Willowmoore Park, Benoni
Monday, 01 September at 10am
South Africa A beat New Zealand A by 7 wickets - Willowmoore Park, Benoni
Wednesday, 03 September at 10am
South Africa A lost to New Zealand A by 18 runs (DLS Method) - Willowmoore Park, Benoni