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Zimbabwe vs South Africa Test Preview

Written by Rick John Henry for @HollywoodbetsFollow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!


Zimbabwe vs South Africa | Saturday 09 August | Harare | 10:00

The Proteas are back at the top of the ICC Test Rankings, their tour of Sri Lanka going some way to dispelling concerns regarding the retirements of Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis. There are few environments as harsh to tour as Sri Lanka and victory in the country, especially for South African touring parties, has been extremely rare. Attention must now turn to more minor matters, a one-off Test against Zimbabwe followed by a bilateral ODI series and a triangular tournament involving Australia. South Africa’s neighbours won’t prove as stern a test as Sri Lanka, but that is no reason for the Proteas to become complacent. Zimbabwe are a side determined for success and giant-killing is a forced way of life for the minnows. Pakistan can attest to that, losing a Test in Harare in September last year. This Test ends a nine-year gap of five-day action between the two sides, last meeting in 2005.

To Win
Zimbabwe 21/1
Draw 7/1
South Africa 1/8

Zimbabwe
It would take only four more matches (and heavy defeats) for Zimbabwe to voluntarily suspend their own Test status for six years, spanning 2005 – 2011. They have played only ten Tests since their comeback, but have shown marked improvement in the format. They’ve beaten Bangladesh twice in three contests, shocked Pakistan and came within 34 runs of upsetting New Zealand in Bulawayo with a courageous decision to attempt to chase 366 instead of dead-batting a draw. Their last outing in the Test arena was against Pakistan and they shared the home series with two largely impressive performances. They gained a first innings lead in the opening Test, only to fold following a Younis Khan double century. They exacted revenge in the second Test, taking advantage of Pakistan’s fragile batting to scrape a 24-run victory. However, much has changed in Zimbabwean cricket in 2014.

Peter Chingoka, 22-year chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket, stepped down for his role and was replaced by non-cricket, administrative types. Although his power was largely diluted by men with money, although he may have had a role to play in Zimbabwe Cricket’s current financial crisis, it is the loss of a figurehead and someone with a true love for the game. Passion is a large factor for teams like Zimbabwe and only time will tell whether businessmen can nurture it. Andy Waller is no longer head coach, with controversial figure Stephen Mangongo appointed as his replacement. An experienced coach with a fiery temper, Mangongo has expressed a readiness to drop senior players that do not perform. If their experience doesn’t not translate into results, Mangongo is prepared to make “bold decisions”. Opening batsman Vusi Sibanda has already felt Mangongo’s wrath, axed from the ODI side and now competing with Mark Vermeulen for his spot in the Test side. Vermeulen hasn’t played Test cricket in ten years and suffered a long break from the game, during which he was tried for arson after burning down the Zimbabwe Academy in 2006. He was acquitted on psychological grounds and has rediscovered his love for the game. Zimbabwe have also split the captaincy, with Brendan Taylor continuing to lead the Test side. While financial and behind-the-scenes issues threaten to make a mockery of Zimbabwean cricket, the side has proved that they are still a talented outfit on the field.

South Africa
The Proteas have opted to retain the full-strength Test side that travelled to Sri Lanka. This seems the correct decision to make considering it is a side still finding the correct balance, as well as containing players still adjusting to their roles within the team. It is also another opportunity for captain Hashim Amla to impress his unique vision and identity on the team. That being said, it will still be surprising if the Proteas don’t hand at least one debutant a start against their neighbours. South Africa’s opening partnership is by no means the finished product, with Alviro Petersen in serious decline and Dean Elgar still finding his feet. This could, perhaps, open up an opportunity for Stiaan van Zyl, who has waited patiently for a chance to make his mark. Fellow squad addition Dane Piedt could be experimented with considering Imran Tahir’s poor showing on the subcontinent. The Proteas could do worse than give the Capetonian youngsters a chance to impress, though how much can be taken from a one-off Test against Zimbabwe is debatable.

Venue
The pitch at Harare will play into South Africa’s strengths, as the ball comes onto the bat and offers quite a bit for the seamers. Runs are possible for batsmen prepared to be patient and generally, the track produces a good contest between bat and ball. Zimbabwe, minnow status considered, have fared well at the ground. There shouldn’t be any significant rain interruptions.

BEST: Top Zimbabwean First Innings Batsman, Hamilton Masakadza 7/2
A stalwart in the Zimbabwe batting line-up, Masakadza is also in a good vein of form. He’s coming off of some runs against Afghanistan and domestically, scored two big centuries in a four-day game to help his club side to victory. He doesn’t have a particularly strong record against South Africa, but then, no-one in this Zimbabwean team does.

VERDICT: South Africa 1/8
The Proteas are so short it’s barely worth a punt, but there shouldn’t be much chance of an upset here. It would take a Herculean effort on the part of Zimbabwe to avoid losing by an innings, let alone winning the match. Don’t waste any cash going against the grain here.

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