Dewald Brevis smashes 98* as South Africa ‘A’ down Sri Lanka ‘A’ in Pallekele

Dewald Brevis smashed his maiden List A fifty as the Tony de Zorzi-led South Africa ‘A’ side, on Sunday, beat Sri Lanka ‘A’ by four wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match unofficial ODI series.

Chasing 265, the visitors were in deep trouble at 104/5, with spinners Dunith Wellalage, Sahan Arachchige and Lakshan Sandakan wreaking havoc. But walking in at No.7, a stunning onslaught from Brevis — 98* off 71 balls — against an Lankan attack that featured as many as five capped international bowlers, including left-armer Dilshan Madhushanka, helped South Africa ‘A’ get home with nearly eight overs to spare. 

Brevis, in his knock, smashed six fours and seven sixes; he put together an unbroken 113-run stand with Beyers Swanepoel off just 67 balls to take his side home.

The 20-year-old, who prior to the encounter hadn’t registered a fifty in List A cricket, took a liking to the Sri Lanka ‘A’ spinners, smashing six sixes in total against the tweakers. From 77* off 65 balls, Brevis went 4 6 4 1 6 to end the day on 98* and help his side go ahead in the unofficial ODI series.

Earlier, fifties from wicket-keeper Nishan Madushka and all-rounder Janith Liyanage had propelled the hosts to 264. Brevis himself took the wicket of Ashen Bandara, but it was Lutho Sipamla that did the damage for the visitors, finishing with 3/33 off 8 overs.

The second unofficial ODI will be played on Tuesday, June 6.