Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
After an ODI series that wasn’t quite one for the ages, we now move to Michael Holding’s most favourite format.
Jokes aside, while a format change will have little impact on Project 2019 for the Proteas, it is an opportunity to improve their less-than-impressive T20I record over the past two years. For their opponents, the shortest format of the game (for now…) gives them a shot at breaking a losing streak dating back to March.
Since the beginning of 2017, South Africa have played 13 T20Is, losing seven. Closely following Project 2019 for South Africa is Project World T20 in 2020, and now is a good time for them to successfully decode the format. Quinton de Kock and David Miller return to the side after being rested in the ODIs, and opportunities for inexperienced players to impress are also available. Following a successful, but somewhat unconvincing ODI series, can the Proteas inflict more hurt on the men in red?
Zimbabwe, the men in red, have now lost 14 games across formats since their win over Ireland in the World Cup Qualifiers in March. What will give them hope is not only the return of key players, but also the fact that they pushed both Pakistan and Australia to last-over finishes in the Zimbabwe Tri-Series back in July. The top ten ranked T20I teams by December 31 2018, excluding Australia, automatically qualify for World T20 2020, and Zimbabwe will likely finish outside the top ten by then. However, if momentum and confidence can be built, there could be some light in what is a very dark tunnel right now.
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Key to a South Africa win
South Africa’s batting didn’t fire in the ODIs, attributed to both inexperience and difficult pitches. The return of Quinton de Kock and David Miller is a boost, and so too the form of Rassie van der Dussen, who has had a good year in T20s. You get the feeling if the South Africans fire with the bat, Zimbabwe won’t have enough runs in them to compete.
With the possible XI on paper, and a good pitch expected, there is no excuse.
But, whether the batting fires or not, there are places up for grabs in the bowling attack. Junior Dala showed promise earlier in the year against India, and will likely get a chance here. With Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir, Andile Phehlukwayo and Robert Frylinck likely to make up the bowling attack, re-opening Zimbabwe’s batting wounds with regular wickets will be the order of the day.
Key to a Zimbabwe win
Apart from Lungi Ngidi and Imran Tahir, South Africa’s team possesses quite a bit of inexperience on the bowling front. An opportunity awaits Zimbabwe, who put on a better show in the 3rd ODI, but still not enough to win.
In their close matches against Pakistan and Australia earlier in 2018, Zimbabwe, mainly through the excellent Solomon Mire, were able to get runs on the board and put pressure on the opposition. Can they repeat this away from home? Mire again will be key, so too Hamilton Mazakadza, Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams, who all showed some promise in the ODIs.
However, how Zimbabwe’s bowlers fare will also be key. Can they contain what looks to be a potent South African top seven? Can they build as many dots as possible and build pressure? For Zimbabwe, nailing the basics is vital to giving them a chance in this match.
Possible XIs
South Africa’s possible side is a good mix of youth and experience. There is a question mark over whether both Heinrich Klaasen and JP Duminy will play. It is likely they will, in my opinion.
South Africa possible XI: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Gihahn Cloete/Rassie van der Dussen, 3. Faf du Plessis (c), 4. JP Duminy, 5. David Miller, 6. Heinrich Klaasen, 7. Robbie Frylinck, 8. Andile Phehlukwayo, 9. Junior Dala, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Imran Tahir
For Zimbabwe, their attack remains to be seen, with Tendai Chatara a chance to be left out after a poor 3rd ODI. However, his good first two ODIs should be taken into account by Zimbabwe’s management.
Zimbabwe possible XI: 1. Solomon Mire, 2. Chamu Chibhabha, 3. Hamilton Mazakadza (c), 4. Brendan Taylor (wk), 5. Tarisai Musakanda, 6. Sean Williams, 7. Elton Chigumbura, 8. Tendai Chisoro, 9. Brendon Mavuta, 10. Kyle Jarvis, 11. Chris Mpofu/Tendai Chatara
This will be an interesting game for
Dream11, with a number of decent options for your team. Below is mine, with a few pointers.
- Quinton de Kock screams out to me as a captaincy choice.
- Solomon Mire’s good T20 form this year gives him a place in my team. Faf du Plessis, David Miller and Hamilton Mazakadza make up the rest of the batting.
- Andile Phehlukwayo could bowl his four overs, and Sean Williams was very promising in the ODIs.
- Junior Dala represents good value, so too Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi and Kyle Jarvis.
Stats and Facts
- South Africa have played 13 T20Is since the beginning of 2017, winning six and losing seven.
- Zimbabwe have lost 14 straight games across formats since beating Ireland in March.
- East London has played host to one T20I before, with New Zealand just beating South Africa thanks to Martin Guptill.
Prediction
I give Zimbabwe a good chance of winning this one, given the potential they showed at times during the ODIs.
However, logic does suggest South Africa’s batting might be too strong in this one, which is why I will predict South Africa to go 1-0 up.
Thanks for reading!
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