Zimbabwe v South Africa, 6th Match: Preview

Zimbabwe will take on the AB de Villiers-led South African unit in the sixth match of the tri-series at Harare Sports Club. Australia have already qualified for the final of the tri-series. However, there is still a chance that if South Africa lose to Zimbabwe by a massive margin, they may take an early flight back home. Zimbabwe also have a chance to show their wares and push the envelope to defeat the fancied South African setup.

The Zimbabwean side must be full of confidence after causing ripples in the cricketing circles with a heart-warming victory against Australia in their last game. On the other hand, South Africa would look to get back to winning ways after losing to Australia.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's win against Australia showed that cricket is a game full of glorious uncertainties. However, it is harder to repeat such a performance against another formidable foe and cause a gargantuan upset. On paper, it is clear that South Africa would start as favourities and for Zimbabwe to cause another upset, they have to again punch above their weight.

One factor that can favour Zimbabwe is the fact that tracks at Harare have helped the spinners to showcase their bagful of tricks. The decks have offered turn off the track and there is variable bounce too. Zimbabwe do have a slew of spinners and they should play a major role in the game against South Africa.

Prosper Utseya, the off-spinner, has kept it simple in the tournament and has reaped the rewards for it by taking seven wickets. John Nymubu, has extracted enough bounce to trouble the batsmen and Sean Williams, the slow left-arm orthodox, too has bowled with good control. The seamers have been a touch inconsistent. However, it is has to be said that the likes of Tendai Chatara and Donald Tiripano are raw and need to add more strings to their bow to do well in the demanding world of ODIs.

To throw in a word of caution here, Zimbabwe's batting has only fired in fits and starts. Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza and Sikandar Raza have shown flashes of brilliance only to gift their wickets away on a platter. Williams has been their most consistent batsman in recent times. Captain, Elton Chigumbura, also gave a glimpse of his willpower to steer Zimbabwe past the finishing line in the game against Australia. His tendency to stand leg-side off the ball especially, against the left-arm pacer, Mitchell Starc, worked against Australia.

South Africa

As South Africa haven't yet assured their place in the tri-series final, they have no other choice but to play their best team. So, the likes of de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel are expected to play.

South Africa will depend on both Aaron Phangiso and Imran Tahir to take advantage of a track that is offering assistance to spinners. In fact, Tahir, with his wrong 'un will always be a threat in the shorter forms of the game.

In the batting department, it is an encouraging sign for South Africa that the mettlesome, Faf du Plessis, has been amassing truckload of runs. The South African think-tank would be happy with the fact that du Plessis has cemented his No.3 spot. He has that ability to change gears as and when required. South Africa would also be hoping for Amla to comeback to rip-roaring form. The ultra consistent batsman hasn't exactly fired on all cylinders in the tournament.

Ground conditions

With five matches being hosted at Harare Sports Club, spinners have come into play by doing well on some tired tracks. Zimbabwe bank upon their spinners to take wickets. The days of Eddo Brandes and the like taking the wind out of opposition's sails with their swing/seam bowling seem to be a thing of the past. The captain winning the toss likely will opt to bat first.

Quotes

When you look at that scorecard now, it looks like we didn't compete and that's the most disappointing thing. Marsh batted exceptionally well, congrats to him. I think we were found wanting in the last 10 overs. The batters are getting really dangerous these days with freedom. I am not worried about the middle-order, probably lost too many wickets. Just that we couldn't get a big partnership. Incredible knock by Faf [du Plessis], he has cemented the No. 3 spot and I am excited to see what he can do for us in the future: AB de Villiers after the game against Australia

Trivia

Chigumbura is four short of taking 100 ODI wickets.