Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
As Zimbabwe’s limited overs tour of South Africa comes to a close, what can we conclude from it?
The home side has had a pretty good look at their squad, which will be tested more against Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka later this season. The tourists have had their moments, but have not been able to land the killer blow.
Will it finish 6-0?
That is what South Africa would be hoping for. On the back of a clinical bowling performance in Potchefstroom, South Africa’s batsmen mainly got in and got out, and in conditions that could see a decent balance between bat and ball today, it will be interesting to see how well the Proteas go about their work. Faf du Plessis could be rested, but if the bowlers are on the mark again, it won’t matter.
For Zimbabwe, it is a case of what might have been. What might have been had Blessing Muzarabani and Graeme Cremer been available? What about Sikandar Raza? In conditions where pace bowling has been difficult to handle, Muzarabani’s bounce might have been a handful, and Raza’s middle order efforts may have been handy, too. But, for various reasons, this has not been the case, and Zimbabwe have one final chance to pick up a win in their tour of South Africa.
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Key to a South Africa win
Dane Paterson, Robbie Frylinck and Andile Phehlukwayo gave South Africa plenty to be encouraged about. In 12 overs between them in Potchefstroom, they gave away a measly 57 runs, with six wickets, which broke the back of Zimbabwe’s batting efforts. This was while two of South Africa’s more established bowlers – Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi – went for 73 in eight overs.
Can they pick up regular wickets again, in Benoni conditions that could assist the bowlers? To be successful in international cricket, consistency is important, and the Proteas bowlers have an opportunity to back up their good efforts from the second T20I.
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| Dane Paterson was impressive in the 2nd T20I |
On the batting front, what do you make of South Africa’s performances over the past two weeks? Personally, there has been a bit to be desired, with plenty of starts not converted. Zimbabwe’s low score in the second T20I didn’t enable big scores, but all of the six South African batsmen reached double figures, with only one exceeding 30. If the batting, led by the likes of Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy, fires, then there is surely no way back for Zimbabwe.
Key to a Zimbabwe win
Regular wickets has been Zimbabwe’s biggest enemy on this tour, and it is something they must guard against in their final match. Captain Hamilton Mazakadza became the first Zimbabwean to reach 1,500 T20I runs, but his four scores in the 20s this tour is cause for frustration. He, Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams tried hard, but again it wasn’t to be, and that too without Imran Tahir on the opposition team.
Can Zimbabwe’s batting finally click when the pressure to win is gone? Solomon Mire hasn’t reached the heights of the T20I Tri-Series against Pakistan and Australia, and Tarisai Musakanda and Elton Chigumbura continue to be passengers. Is it as simple as throwing caution to the wind, running hard, and see what happens?
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| Zimbabwe need Hamilton Mazakadza to capitalise on his starts |
Also, it is hard not to feel sorry for the bowlers. They have tried hard throughout the series, but haven’t had the support of their batsmen, which was well and truly on show in the 2nd T20I. Against a Proteas side still striving for their absolute best, can Zimbabwe’s bowlers trouble them one final time?
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Possible XIs
Faf du Plessis could be rested for this game to give all squad members some more game time. With the series won, it would make sense to. One player to keep an eye out for is Quinton de Kock, who has scores of 5 and 26 in this series. With Heinrich Klaasen in decent touch, should de Kock feel any pressure?
South Africa possible XI: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Gihahn Cloete, 3. Heinrich Klaasen, 4. Rassie van der Dussen, 5. JP Duminy (c), 6. Christiaan Jonker, 7. Robbie Frylinck, 8. Andile Phehlukwayo, 9. Junior Dala, 10. Dane Paterson, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi
There are a few really out of form players for Zimbabwe. Tarisai Musakanda hasn’t scored a run in either of the two T20Is, and Elton Chigumbura continues to struggle. Neville Madziva, a pace bowling all-rounder, could come into the middle order.
Zimbabwe possible XI: 1. Solomon Mire, 2. Hamilton Mazakadza (c), 3. Brendan Taylor (wk), 4. Tarisai Musakanda/Chamu Chibhabha, 5. Sean Williams, 6. Peter Moor, 7. Neville Madziva/Elton Chigumbura, 8. Wellington Mazakadza/Tendai Chisoro, 9. Brandon Mavuta, 10. Kyle Jarvis, 11. Chris Mpofu
There is never a dead-rubber in the
Dream11 world. Below is my team with a few pointers.
- Today could be the day where Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen truly fire for South Africa.
- Hamilton Mazakadza has promised with his starts, and three promising all round options are in my side.
- Chris Mpofu has bowled well for Zimbabwe in this series, and so too Brandon Mavuta.
Stats and Facts
- Zimbabwe have lost 16 straight matches across formats since March.
- This will be the first T20I between two full members at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.
- Hamilton Mazakadza became the first Zimbabwe player to reach 1,500 T20I runs. No other Zimbabwe player has scored 1,000 runs in this format.
Prediction
Like the 2nd T20I, Zimbabwe’s batting just didn’t inspire enough confidence to say they would win.
South Africa to win again and clean sweep the T20I series.
Thanks for reading!
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