Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
For the first time in Zimbabwe’s tour of South Africa 2018, could we see a different result?
Once again, the tourists had some decent moments in a match on this tour, but could not convert it into victory, as South Africa’s extra class has got them home.
But, South Africa will now be without Imran Tahir, who has been rested from the final two T20Is, much to the delight of Zimbabwe. With Tabraiz Shamsi not at his best at the moment, can the Proteas get enough out of their batsmen to win without their star bowler in this series? Debutant Rassie van der Dussen and the experienced David Miller got the Proteas out of a bit of hole in the first T20I, before Imran Tahir cleaned Zimbabwe up. Can South Africa deliver a clinical performance here to take the series?
Zimbabwe have now lost 15 international matches in a row, dating back to March, and now face a fight to keep the series alive. Their top order was a let down at East London, losing three wickets in the first 18 balls of their chase, rendering their quest for a 1-0 series lead almost impossible. With their chief destroyer Imran Tahir rested, can Zimbabwe restrict South Africa to a similar extent to East London, and make a better start with the bat?
Key to a South Africa win
South Africa’s batting looked good on paper in the first T20I, but it was the performance of a select few that got them to a competitive total. Throughout the four matches of Zimbabwe’s tour, the Proteas’ batting hasn’t fully clicked into gear, and with the series on the line here, as well as project World T20 2020, now is a good time to get going.
Can South Africa get more out of Quinton de Kock at the top on a Potchefstroom pitch expected to be good for batting? Can a platform be set for a dangerous middle order, coming off a good outing?
Also, the spotlight will be well and truly on South Africa’s bowlers – especially Tabraiz Shamsi – with Imran Tahir rested. Who will be the chief tormentor this time? Or better yet, can the bowlers bowl as a unit so no single chief destroyer is needed? Execution of plans, against a shaky Zimbabwe line up, will be the order of the day.
Key to a Zimbabwe win
Zimbabwe’s bowlers have put them in decent positions throughout this tour, but the batting hasn’t stood up. Conditions were difficult early in the ODI series, but with conditions improving significantly, Zimbabwe’s batsmen haven’t quite.
Tahir’s absence will be a relief, but not exactly a free passage to success. The loss of early, as well as regular, wickets continue to haunt them, and if they are to keep the series alive, it’s the batting that especially needs to pick up. In the 1st T20I, their total of 126 flattered them, with PJ Moor playing a fine lone hand. In this game, their experienced players – the likes of Hamilton Mazakadza, Sean Williams and Brendan Taylor, simply have to fire.
On the bowling front, there continues to be encouraging signs. Brandon Mavuta will be even better for the experience (1/19 off four), and so too Chris Mpofu, who returned good figures at East London. Like South Africa, can Zimbabwe bowl well as a unit?
Possible XIs
Robbie Frylinck is in with a chance of playing for South Africa. On what is expected to be a good batting track, his strike rate of 148.22 in T20s could be a very handy addition to the lower order. Also, will Christiaan Jonker get another chance?
South Africa possible XI: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Gihahn Cloete, 3. Faf du Plessis (c), 4. Rassie van der Dussen, 5. David Miller, 6. Christiaan Jonker, 7. Robbie Frylinck, 8. Andile Phehlukwayo, 9. Junior Dala, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi
Zimbabwe could make changes if their own, especially as Elton Chigumbura has made two ducks in his last three innings. Also, with Solomon Mire a T20 specialist, it would make sense to bring him back into the side.
Zimbabwe possible XI: 1. Solomon Mire, 2. Chamu Chibhabha, 3. Hamilton Mazakadza (c) 4. Brendan Taylor (wk), 5. Sean Williams, 6. Peter Moor, 7. Elton Chigumbura/Neville Madziva, 8. Tendai Chisoro/Tendai Chatara, 9. Brandon Mavuta, 10. Kyle Jarvis, 11. Chris Mpofu
Stats and Facts
- Zimbabwe have lost their last 15 matches across formats.
- Imran Tahir has taken 15 wickets at 7.6 across the four matches v Zimbabwe (3 ODIs, 1 T20I).
- The last time South Africa played a T20I in Potchefstroom, David Miller smashed the then fastest T20I century, against Bangladesh (35 balls). Rohit Sharma soon equaled it.
- Rassie van der Dussen has hit three domestic T20 hundreds. All of them have been at Potchefstroom.
Prediction
Like the 1st T20I, I give Zimbabwe a chance. In the 2nd T20I, even more so because of no Imran Tahir.
Can the men in red cause an upset? I think it is possible.
Am I brave enough to say I’d put money on them if I were a betting man? Not quite. The batting leaves too much to be desired.
South Africa to take out the series 2-0.
