South Africa vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 4th Match Preview
South Africa vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 4th Match Preview:
South Africa vs Zimbabwe Preview | South Africa vs Zimbabwe is the 4th match of ICC Twenty20 world cup 2012. ICC T20 World Cup 4th match between South Africa and Zimbabwe, where South Africa will start their campaign to shed the `chokers` tag when they take on minnows Zimbabwe in their opening Group C match of the World Twenty20 on Thursday at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota. The game should not prove too much of an ask for the Proteas as it would take a very special effort from Zimbabwe after being thrashed by hosts Sri Lanka in their opening match yesterday. On paper, it is a battle of unequals with the A B de Villiers-led South Africa looking way too formidable for Brendan Taylor`s Zimbabwe. Whatever the department of the game, the South African stand far superior in talent and experience. And it would be tough for Zimbabwe to bounce back from the opening-match thrashing against a quality opposition, for which winning this match would be good enough to make the Super Eight cut. South Africa vs Zimbabwe will be a good match for cricket viewers.
South Africa:
The Proteas have played only one warm-up but they looked an effective enough outfit to suggest that game time was not what was required. They beat New Zealand by nine runs. South Africa opened up with Richard Levi and Faf du Plessis but one of those is expected to make way for Jacques Kallis. The engine room of AB De Villiers and JP Duminy looks one of the best around. Dale Steyn looked a real danger and he claimed four Kiwi wickets for just 25 runs. Hashim Amla continued his prolific English summer by top scoring in every possible game and he will obviously be the one to watch in this contest. There is some hope for Zimbabwe here however, and if they get Amla early, there is a suggestion that the remainder of the side are relying too heavily on his runs without taking enough responsibility themselves. The main threat to the Zimbabwean batsmen is likely to come from pace as opposed to spin and the twin attack of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel could cause damage at the top of the order. The back-up bowlers may lack that kind of penetration but Robin Peterson, JP Duminy and Botha himself will take pace off the ball and will be difficult for the opposition to get away.
Zimbabwe:
Zimbabwe turned in a poor performance in the curtain raiser to this tournament as they lost by the considerable margin of 82 runs to hosts Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Brendan Taylor’s side had issues with batting, bowling and fielding and unless they can somehow address those problems against South Africa, the squad will be heading home before most teams have started their campaigns. Chasing 182 to win that opening match, Zimbabwe crumbled to 100 all out from 17.3 overs and the top score was a mere 20 from Hamilton Masakadza. Captain Brendan Taylor was out first ball and has been in poor form since the start of the Sri Lankan Premier League last month. Along with Masakadza, Taylor is the best batsman in the side but will have to find some form if his side are to stand any chance of causing an upset. In truth, a target of 182 never really looked to be within the Zimbabwean’s reach after a weak display in the field. Brian Vitori and Chris Mpofu were particularly expensive but they weren’t exactly helped by dropped catches and poor fielding overall. There was little to get excited about with the bat, however. Elton Chigumbura managed a strike rate of 100 with his 19 but otherwise the Zims look short of class.
Squad for ICC World Twenty20 4th Match:
South Africa Team:
AB de Villiers*†, HM Amla, F Behardien, J Botha, JP Duminy, F du Plessis, JH Kallis, RE Levi, JA Morkel, M Morkel, JL Ontong, WD Parnell, RJ Peterson, DW Steyn, LL Tsotsobe
Zimbabwe Team:
BRM Taylor*†, E Chigumbura, AG Cremer, CR Ervine, KM Jarvis, H Masakadza, S Matsikenyeri, CB Mpofu, F Mutizwa, R Muzhange, RW Price, V Sibanda, P Utseya, BV Vitori, MN Waller
For more cricinfo: ICC World T20 Sri Lanka 2012
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