The opening match went according to form and rankings, but South Africa still need to iron out a few wrinkles ahead of the bigger and sterner task against England. They are viewing this short series as a warm-up and for two thirds of thematch in Benoni they performed impressively, but Zimbabwe didn’t fold meekly thanks to Tatenda Taibu’s fine century and South Africa will need to be at top gear going into the first Twenty20 against England on November 13.
England have also issued the war cry after thumping wins against the Eagles and Warriors and Mickey Arthur has underlined the importance of being at “full strength” by next week. Albie Morkel and the fresh pair of Alviro Petersen, debutant Ryan McLaren all impressed during in Benoni and Arthur will have taken note of the performances as assesses his bench strength. JP Duminy is set to return from injury and Jacques Kallis may play as a specialist batsman so there is no shortage of top-order power.
The promise that Zimbabwe had shown after the sweeping changes in administrative personnel and the creation of new domestic competitions seems to have been short lived, a fact nailed by five consecutive ODI defeats. However, Taibu’s performance and the 188-run stand with Stuart Matsikenyeri has given them something to cling to.
Teams
South Africa (possible): 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Graeme Smith (capt), 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 AB de Villiers, 5 JP Duminy, 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Albie Morkel, 8 Ryan McLaren, 9 Johan Botha, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Charl Langeveldt
Zimbabwe (possible) 1 Hamilton Masakdza, 2 Mark Vermeulen, 3 Brendan Taylor, 4 Chamu Chibhabha, 5 Tatenda Taibu (wk), 6 Elton Chigumbura, 7 Stuart Matsikenyeri, 8 Graeme Cremer, 9 Prosper Utseya (capt), 10 Ray Price, 11 Kyle Jarvis
Timings
Tuesday, November 10, 2009, Start time 14.30 pm (12.30GMT)
