Connor Esterhuizen targets tri-series trophy after impressing with bat

Esterhuizen contributed 88 runs against Namibia in their final round robin match yesterday, which complemented that of Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who notched up his maiden T20 International ton after falling six runs short just days before, to help South Africa to a healthy 228 total batting first.

Esterhuizen, who moved up the order to opener for this match, says they know the Chevrons will bring their A-game tomorrow in the decider, and they’ll have to be even better to win the trophy.

"Uhm, well I think first and foremost we're looking forward to the challenge, there's a trophy on the line so it's a great opportunity to win a trophy. We know how good that Zimbabwe outfit is, so we're gonna have to be on top of our game in order to come out on top," Esterhuizen said.

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This was Esterhuizen’s highest individual total in nine T20 International matches, and he’s hoping to also go one better in the final tomorrow. 

He says he found it easy to partner Pretorius at the top of the order, one of the many positions he’s played at in the shortest format of the game.

"I think it's obvious to get the win and get some momentum going into the final. I think mindset wise, not much, just to keep it simple, batting with Lhu is nice and simple out there,” he added. 

“I know my job when he's going like he's going, so yeah, we just try to get as many runs as possible because it was a good wicket and we knew it was a good wicket. “Then on the bowling end it was just damage control, as I said it was a good wicket so restricting him under the target was a great effort so we're looking forward to Sunday."