du Plooy leads Derbyshire to victory

A half-century from Leus du Plooy led Derbyhire to a 48-run victory in their Twenty20 against a Zimbabwe Select XI on Saturday. 

The batsman struck 79 not out from just 51 balls, while Wayne Madsen hit 44 as the visitors posted a total of 174-5 from their 20 overs.

Brian Chari top-scored for the hosts with 42, but Zimbabwe Select XI finished on 126-8, after Mattie McKiernan claimed 2-25.

The pre-season tour of Zimbabwe has since concluded, with the Derbyshire squad and coaches returning to the UK amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

While no member of the touring group has shown any symptoms related to COVID-19, the health and safety of our players and staff remains of paramount importance and therefore the decision was made to bring the group home.

Captained by Alex Hughes, Derbyshire won the toss and elected to bat first, with Luis Reece (7) and Matt Critchley (0) opening, although both were dismissed within the first five overs.

Madsen and du Plooy led the fightback for the visitors, with their 48-run partnership taking the score from 22-2 to 70-3, by the time that the former was caught by Luke Jongwe off Wellington Masakadza.

Despite the quick wicket of Hughes (0), du Plooy continued and passed 50 with three-consecutive sixes off Ernest Masuku.

The Derbyshire innings finished with du Plooy unbeaten on 79, including six sixes, while Anuj Dal was not out on 22 from 18 deliveries.

McKiernan struck in the first over of the chase to bowl Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (0), while Ravi Rampaul (1-14) bowled Tadiwanashe Marumani to leave the hosts 6-2.

Chari hit four fours and two sixes to reach 42 from 37 deliveries, before he was caught behind by Harvey Hosein off Luis Reece, as Derbyshire moved closer to victory.

With the final ball of the match, McKiernan bowled Faraz Akram (1) to round-off a comfortable win for the visitors at Bulawayo.

Click HERE to view scorecard.

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