One Day International Series – Zimbabwe face tough task against thwarted Proteas

South Africa vs. Zimbabwe

Sunday, November 8, 2.30am

Cricket Odds:
South Africa –4000
Zimbabwe +1200

Some times it is hard not to feel sorry for Zimbabwe, especially when they are about to come up against a cricketing powerhouse who has just been humiliated at home and is desperate to brush off the cobwebs before a legitimate series starts.

That is just what the Zims face when the two-match one-day international series against South Africa starts at Benoni this weekend.

The Proteas, smug with their ODI top ranking, went into the Champions Trophy with high hopes of not only securing the silverware at home but to also cement their claims as the all-round best cricket playing nation having already stolen the number one Test nation spot from Australia.

Of course as well all know now, their tilt at the Champions Trophy went pear shaped and they have been sitting at home licking their wounds ever since.

Across the way, the African neighbours Zimbabwe have been slapped about by Bangladesh in a series, which saw them record one of the lowest innings scores ever in international cricket when they were routed for 44 and losing the series 4-1.

There was very little they could take from the series except for the disheartening fact that they were going from facing fellow minnows to facing the gnashing teeth of an international cricket superpower.

The Proteas will use this series as a five-match series against England, a tour that also includes two Twenty20 matches.

The hosts are tinkering about with a top order that has developed a serious case of the yips and one that failed during their tournament yips last month. 

The biggest casualty is Herschelle Gibbs who was dumped from the ODI and T20 teams to allow him time in the domestic competition to find form but the top five still reads like a Wisden Almanac written by JK Rowling.

Jacques Kallis should partner captain Graeme Smith and should be followed by AB de Villiers, JP Duminy then Hashim Amla and possibly Albie Morkel at six.

Pretty good huh? 

It is if you are a South African fan but if you are a Zimbabwean bowler, not so much. The only hope of Zimbabwe adding to their two victories over South Africa in 27 outings is if the movie District 9 comes to fruition, or the South African team boards a plane and mysteriously disappears around the Bermuda Triangle.

Stranger things have happened so Zimbabwe can’t be discounted – oh who am I kidding? They can be and should be discounted.