ZIMBABWE TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA 2018

Zimbabwe hang on to the possibility of one-odd upset

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

This was supposed to be Zimbabwe's best chance to upset their much-dominant neighbours, but two games down and they have already conceded the series. © Getty

Imran Tahir or no Imran Tahir - there seems to be little improvement in Zimbabwe's showing against South Africa. Pluck five players out of the team the hosts fielded in the second T20I, and they would be left with virtually their second string side. Having got their near full-strength squad to feature in the series, this was supposed to be Zimbabwe's best chance to upset their much-dominant neighbours, but two games down and they have already conceded the series.

The experiment that South Africa were conducting by providing opportunities to their fringe players can be pushed to the fifth gear in the dead rubber clash on Sunday in Benoni. And given how Zimbabwe's tour has panned out so far, they can do that safely betting their result won't be affected in the inconsequential encounter.

The inability to form partnerships in batting has been Zimbabwe's biggest undoing in the T20Is. Neither have the younger players put up any noteworthy contributions, nor have the senior batsmen - Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams - managed to single-handedly dominate. The bowling, barring in the first two games of the ODI series where the conditions favoured them, has lacked the bite as well.

All through the tour, Zimbabwe, at best, have managed to threaten to bring the contests in balance but that's the best they have attained, as all have ended in one-sided affairs. They had come to South Africa with much hope but they haven't even managed to push the hosts into uncomfortable positions. With only a solitary game left, all that could leave them inspired is the possibility of a one-odd upset.

What: South Africa vs Zimbabwe, 3rd T20I, Benoni

When: October 14, 2018, Sunday at 02:30 PM local

What to expect: This will be the first T20I set to be hosted at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. The venue, in the last 10 years, has witnessed some high scoring encounters in ODIs. However, the domestic contests at the venue in the last one week proved to be low-scoring affairs. The weather could aid the seamers. It is expected to be cold with the possibility of scattered thunderstorms and cloud cover.

Team News:

South Africa: With the series sealed, South Africa might look to rest some of their senior players, especially Faf du Plessis who has hinted at that.

Zimbabwe: Wellington Masakadza and Neville Madziva could get a look in in the third T20I.

What they said:

"There's been a lot of guys coming in and sometimes it creates a bit of a headache and it's a good one to have. Other guys getting opportunities are doing well... The plan is that everyone gets two games and that means the skipper is going miss out unfortunately in the next game." - Faf du Plessis.

"Guys are getting starts, but it's about building on those starts. We've continued to lose wickets at the wrong times." - Hamilton Masakadza, pointing at Zimbabwe's inability to forge partnerships with the bat.

Squads:

South Africa: Faf du Plessis(c), Junior Dala, Quinton de Kock, Jean-Paul Duminy, Robbie Frylinck, Christiaan Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Gihahn Cloete, Rassie van der Dussen

Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza (c), Solomon Mire, Neville Madziva, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Chris Mpofu, Chamu Chibhabha, Wellington Masakadza, Tarisai Musakanda, Tendai Chatara

© Cricbuzz

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