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Kimberley - Loots Bosman, happy to be playing in the city of his birth, hopes to give the local supporters something to cheer about on Sunday when the Proteas face Zimbabwe in the second Twenty20 International at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley.
Bosman and fellow opener Graeme Smith led an onslaught against the Zimbabwean bowlers in Bloemfontein on Friday night, smashing everything that was too short or too full. The pair shared 90 runs and led the hosts to a seven-wicket victory.
"I was happy Graeme and I managed to give the guys a good platform," Bosman said on Saturday.
"I enjoy being given a free role and hope I can provide the team with another good start on Sunday in front of my home supporters. I'm really excited to be back home."
Bosman said he hoped to be considered for the three-match one-day international series starting next week if he racked up a big score on Sunday.
"All I need to do is get a big score and then leave the rest up to the selectors," he said.
Zimbabwe displayed some impressive batting, setting the Proteas a target of 169 to win in Bloemfontein, but weak bowling and sloppy fielding did nothing to help their cause as South Africa won with four overs to spare.
Although Zimbabwe took three quick wickets, JP Duminy and David Miller guided their team to victory with an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 70.
What appeared to be another injury blow to the Proteas, as Morne Morkel limped off the field after turning over his ankle, is not as serious as it was first thought.
Morkel sprained an ankle ligament while fielding, but his ankle was already strapped which prevented serious damage.
He won't take part in Sunday's game, joining injured sibling Albie Morkel on the sidelines, but should be fit again for the one-day series starting in Bloemfontein next Friday.
Zimbabwe's captain, Elton Chigumbura, was disappointed with his team's performance on Friday night but was satisfied with their batting.
"Our batsmen performed well. The guys were positive and we had a good approach," Chigumbura said.
"On the bowling side, however, we didn't execute well. We had our plans but we didn't stick to them."
Some sloppy fielding also allowed the Proteas to cash in on a couple of boundaries which could have been prevented, and the tourists missed an opportunity when Christopher Mpofu dropped Smith on 47.
Smith went on to hammer 58 runs off 29 balls before he was trapped lbw to Graeme Cremer, and laid the foundation, together with Bosman, for South Africa's comfortable win.
"We also had too many misfields, and the one chance we got, we dropped," said Chigumbura.
"We'll take the same approach to the next game but just make sure we improve on our bowling skills. This wicket could favour our spinners as well."
The Zimbabwean captain said they would consider making one change to the bowling.
Although he said there were no injuries, bowler Ed Rainsford hurt his ankle playing soccer during a training session and was being treated with ice at the team's net practice on Saturday.
