We preview the third game of the Triangular series, between South Africa and Zimbabwe, taking place on Friday 29 August at 9:30am.
It’s starting to feel like groundhog day around here. Yet another clash between South Africa and Zimbabwe, with the same expected result. You’ve got to feel sorry for Zimbabwe, who were thrashed by Australia on Monday, just days after being whitewashed in the three-match ODI series with South Africa.
They are little more than whipping boys in this competition, and with news of friction in the squad, which has seen Tinashe Panyangara expelled from the side for the rest of the series, there is little hope of a turnaround in fortunes for them.
For South Africa, this game is another opportunity to rest some of their senior players, though Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Hashim Amla should be retained in order to gain some form and/or match practice. We would, however, give AB de Villiers or Faf du Plessis a break, leaving space for Rilee Rossouw to slot in to the top order, while Wayne Parnell should be dropped for either Kyle Abbott or, preferably, Mthokozisi Shezi.
KEY PLAYERS:
The spin duo of John Nyumbu and Sean Williams will need to come to the party for Zimbabwe. The Harare pitches offer little to their frontline seamers, so if they want to make inroads into the Proteas’ formidable batting order, the spinners will need to be on song.
He may not even get a game, but if he does, look out for Mthokozisi Shezi. Our hope is that he is elevated to the side in place of Parnell, who had a shocker against Australia on Wednesday. Shezi bowled well in the third game against Zimbabwe last week, and he looks to be a solid left-arm line and length bowler. Given another chance, he may take a few sticks against an unsettled Zimbabwe side.
OUR PREDICTION:
Another easy win for South Africa, and more misery for Zimbabwe.
SQUADS:
South Africa – AB de Villiers (c), Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Rilee Rossouw, Mthokozisi Shezi, Dale Steyn.
Zimbabwe – Elton Chigumbura (c), Tendai Chatara, Luke Jongwe, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingi Masakadza, Tino Mawoyo, Natsai M’shangwe, Cuthbert Musoko, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Vusi Sibanda, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams.
The game starts at 9:30am on Friday 29 August. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for regular score updates.
Photo: CSA
