Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey
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| Image credit: SACricketMag |
On Sunday, we witnessed international match where both sides left feeling unsatisfied. One where the quality of cricket on display would have left players, coaches, fans and all associated wanting a little more.
The silver lining, though, is that both teams can take positives into the 2nd ODI in Bloemfontein.
For South Africa, their bowling looked stronger than their batting on paper in Kimberley, and it proved to be the case. Lungi Ngidi led the charge in blowing Zimbabwe away on a pitch offering bounce, but their performance overall leaves more questions than answers. Their batting hopefuls did not provide fans with much hope, crumbling a little on their way to a modest chase of 118, so much so that a total of 150 by Zimbabwe could have seen a different result. With a series win, and more importantly World Cup spots up for grabs, a much more clinical, all-round performance is required.
Zimbabwe would be kicking themselves. Their top seven on Sunday walked onto the field boasting 857 matches of ODI experience, which equated to a top score of just 27. Their batting effort was so disappointing, especially with the opportunity to target an inexperienced South African batting line up afterwards. Contributing to their downfall was the significant number of dots they played in the first ODI – 153 of the 205 deliveries faced were not scored off, equating to nearly 75%. The pressure told, and they left Kimberley thinking what could have been. Can today be the day where they get more runs on the board, and challenge the South Africans further?
Key to a South Africa win
South Africa’s bowlers could very well be too strong once again, but in this context, the performance means more than results.
Of course, winning for your country is the ultimate goal, but process is important for South Africa, given their batting line up is full of World Cup hopefuls. For the Proteas to have a say at next year’s tournament, players need to be putting their hands up now, given they will play just 15 ODIs between now and then. Reeza Hendricks, after his magnificent debut century in Sri Lanka, has scored just seven runs from his last three innings, in conjunction with Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram’s search for form. Can the top three fire today, creating a platform for a promising middle order, led by Heinrich Klaasen and JP Duminy?
If they do, you feel South Africa’s bowlers will be too big an ask for Zimbabwe to handle, led by the brilliant Lungi Ngidi, backed up by Rabada, Mulder, Phehlukwayo and Tahir.
Key to a Zimbabwe win
Tendai Chatara was simply superb in Kimberley, and would be craving further support from his colleagues. This not only includes the batsmen, but also Kyle Jarvis, who was below his best.
However, the biggest key to Zimbabwe causing an upset today is indeed their batting. Hamilton Mazakadza will play his 200th ODI today, and Brendan Taylor returns to the ground where he scored his career best 145* in 2010. On what is expected to be a good batting track, can the Zimbabweans right the wrongs from Sunday and get runs on the board to support their bowling efforts against an inexperienced South Africa line up?
Possible XIs
Despite the shaky batting effort on Sunday, expect South Africa to give the same XI another chance. With the opportunity to seal the series today, the Proteas could look at experimentation in the 3rd ODI should they win this one.
South Africa possible XI: 1. Dean Elgar, 2. Aiden Markram, 3. Reeza Hendricks, 4. JP Duminy (c), 5. Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 6. Christiaan Jonker, 7. Wiaan Mulder, 8. Andile Phehlukwayo, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Imran Tahir
With Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura and Solomon Mire in the side, Zimbabwe have quite a few bowling options. However, as mentioned, it is the batting that needs to stand up today, and the men in red could give another chance to the same line up.
Zimbabwe possible XI: 1. Hamilton Mazakadza (c), 2. Solomon Mire, 3. Craig Ervine, 4. Brendan Taylor (wk), 5. Sean Williams, 6. PJ Moor, 7. Elton Chigumbura, 8. Wellington Mazakadza, 9. Brandon Mavuta, 10. Kyle Jarvis, 11. Tendai Chatara
The first ODI was difficult from a perspective, with the batsmen having a tough day out. Below is my team for the second match, with a few pointers.
- I feel Brendan Taylor will get more of an opportunity to bat today, and he has enjoyed success on this ground before. However, if you go with the impressive Heinrich Klaasen for the wicketkeeping spot, it is still a good move.
- I will back South Africa’s top three to be in the runs today, with Aiden Markram as my captain. Hamilton Mazakadza, in his 200th ODI, could have a big game.
- JP Duminy and Sean Williams are my allrounders.
- Two of South Africa’s quality seamers make my side, with Ngidi my vice captain. Given I feel South Africa’s top three will score well today, I won’t include a Zimbabwe opening bowler, but rather, spinner Wellington Mazakadza.
Keen to have a go yourself? Join me and !
Stats and Facts
- South Africa have won 36 of 39 ODIs against Zimbabwe.
- Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Mazakadza plays his 200th ODI today.
- Five of the six 300-plus scores at Bloemfontein have come since 2003, including 399/9 by England in February 2016.
- South Africa scored 351/6 against Zimbabwe in the last meeting between the sides at Bloemfontein, thanks to centuries from Hashim Amla and Colin Ingram. Brendan Taylor responded with 145*, but Zimbabwe fell short by 64 runs.
Prediction
There are a few things for Zimbabwe to be optimistic about, but their batting isn’t inspiring much confidence.
Can they bounce back today? It remains to be seen.
I will back South Africa to win, thanks to an improved batting display, and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Thanks for reading!
