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South Africa vs Zimbabwe ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 match preview: Zimbabwe look to regain respect against powerful Proteas

Zimbabwe and South Africa have played each other only two times in Cricket World Cup history.

South Africa vs Zimbabwe ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 match preview: Zimbabwe look to regain respect against powerful Proteas
Zimbabwe and South Africa have played each other only two times in Cricket World Cup history © Getty Images

They may be the No.1 Test team, but South Africa are yet to reach the summit of One-Day Internationals (ODIs). They start off their ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 campaign against Zimbabwe, a nation whose cricket scene has been tested by the political turbulence over the years. Though South Africa may look more powerful on paper than Zimbabwe, Proteas should not take the Dav Whatmore-coached team lightly, especially after their recent win over Sri Lanka in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 warm-up match.

Zimbabwe have played 30 ODIs in the last two years and have managed to win only six — against Bangladesh (twice), Afghanistan (twice), and more significantly, Pakistan and Australia. Their last ODI win was against Australia last August. Since then they have struggled till February 11, 2015, when they defeated a far stronger team in Sri Lanka. Riding on an all-round performance by Sean Williams and a century by Hamilton Masakadza (who is surprisingly yet to play a World Cup match), Zimbabwe crushed Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2014 warm-up match. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS

Led by Elton Chigumbura, Zimbabwe  is currently No. 10 in the ICC ODI ranking, whereas South Africa are at No. 3. Zimbabwe have an inexperienced team compared to South Africa. The Proteas have played 50 ODIs in the last two years and have won 29. Though their last tour to Australia did not turn out to be the way they had expected, South Africa still remains one of the favourites in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Live Scorecard of the ICC Cricket World Cup Pool B encounter between South Africa and Zimbabwe

Despite their powerful pace attack and strong batting line-up, South Africa were crushed by New Zealand in their ICC World Cup 2015 warm-up match. The Black Caps defeated South Africa by 134 runs, though it can be argued that South Africa had rested Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn.

For Zimbabwe, a lot will depend on the veterans, Brendan Taylor, Elton Chigumbura, Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams and Prosper Utseya. Seddon Park is usually a good batting track. If South Africa get to bat first, Utseya (unfortunately, restricted to only medium-pace) has to lead the bowling from the front with Tinashe Panyangara, Tafadzwa Kamungozi and Tendai Chatara playing the support role. The good thing about Zimbabwe is that both Williams and Chigumbura can bowl, and even Taylor can always come handy.

Batting can be a worry for Zimbabwe with their openers seldom failing to form a big partnership. As a result the pressure comes down to the middle-order. It is not that they lack quality batsmen, but they fail to convert starts to partnerships. With Whatmore at the helm of things a lot can be expected to be different. Whatmore has a reputation of being an optimistic coach. Everyone is aware of Whatmore’s famous runs for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE

For South Africa, everything seem to be quite settled at the moment. Apart from the recent ICC World Cup 2015 warm-up match defeat, South Africa have been one of the major force in world cricket today. Riding on the amazing pace trio of Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, their bowling unit can destroy the opposition mentally. Not to forget South Africa also have Imran Tahir, who on his day can produce match-winning performances. Tahir is in good form, and South Africa will depend a lot on him.

On the batting front, South Africa are likely to open with Amla and Rilee Rossouw. The Protean opening partnership has been tested quite a few times in the past, especially when Amla has not played. Apart from Amla, South Africa have a lethal batting line-up that consists of Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, David Miller and JP Duminy, all of whom can shift gears as will. Zimbabwe will have to work very hard and come up with a plan on how to stop them, especially de Villiers. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage

However, the biggest chink in the Protean armour has been their lower middle-order batting. Miller can be explosive, but is inconsistent, and Farhaan Behardien has seldom lived up to the expectations of the selectors. A lot would depend on Duminy, probably one of the most under-rated cricketer of the modern era. Duminy has performed under pressure, and is more than handy as a part-time bowler.

All in all, despite being the stronger team on paper, compared to Zimbabwe, South Africa have the reputation of being the chokers. On other hand, Zimbabwe have caused major upsets in the past, especially in World Cups. They have not reached the top four, but have managed to cause upsets (Australia in 1983, England in 1992, India and South Africa in 1999, and so on). They are not to be taken lightly. After all, they do not have anything to lose in the tournament. A win will not only motivate them, but keep their hopes alive for regaining their lost respect. On the other hand, a loss for South Africa will be a major disappointment for the team, who are touted as one of the three strongest teams in the World Cup.

Zimbabwe and South Africa have played each other only two times in Cricket World Cup history. The first time they met was in Benson & Hedges World Cup 1992, when South Africa won by seven wickets. The second time was in ICC Cricket World Cup 1999, when Zimbabwe won by 48 runs, riding on Neil Johnson’s all-round performance.

Squads:

South Africa: AB de Villiers (c), Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn.

Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura (c), Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva (wk), Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Solomon Mire, Tawanda Mupariwa, Tinashe Panyangara, Brendan Taylor, Prosper Utseya, Sean Williams.

Time: 14:00 local time |01:00 GMT | 06:30 IST

(Sudatta Mukherjee is a reporter with CricketCountry. Other than writing on cricket, she spends penning random thoughts on her blog. When she is not writing, you will catch her at a movie theatre or watching some English television show on her laptop. Her Twitter handle is @blackrosegal)

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