Zimbabwe v South Africa 1st ODI Prediction

The minnows of cricket, Zimbabwe, proved to be an easy hunting team for the heavy weights, South Africa, who won the only Test against the hosts without any difficulty. The latter maintained their unbeaten record against Zimbabwe in the longer version of the game and the two teams will move ahead for three ODI series. Both teams have faced each other 32 times, the Proteas have won 29, the home side was victorious on two occasions and one game ended without any result.

Players to watch

The batting of Zimbabwe will revolve around Brendan Taylor, Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakazda and Sean Williams and the bowling department will be looked after by John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Donald Tiripano and Tendai Chatara.

Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock are the pillars of the Proteas batting while Jean-Paul Duminy is a fine all-rounder. The prominent pace trio of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander have been rested. The left arm medium fast bowler Mthokozisi Shezi can get a cap whereas Ryan McLaren, Kyle Abbott, Wayne Parnell and Imran Tahir are capable of defending their target.

Time & Venue

Sunday August 17, 2014 @ 07.30 GMT, 09.30 local at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.

Weather

A perfect weather for the game with the temperatures around 9-20ᵒC.

Toss

The winner will opt to bat first

The Pitch

The strip will be equally good for batting and bowling

 Teams

Zimbabwe – Brendan Taylor (C), Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Elton Chigumbura, Steven Chimhamhiwa, Michael Chinouya, Luke Jongwe, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Neville Madziva, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Natsai M’shangwe, Cuthbert Musoko, Richmond Mutumbami, Taurai Muzarabani, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Donald Tiripano, Prosper Utseya, Mark Vermeulen, Malcolm Waller, Lovemore Gumunyu-Manatsa.

South Africa – AB de Villiers (C), Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Marchant de Lange, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Wayne Parnell, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Aaron Phangiso, Rilee Rossouw, Mthokozisi Shezi.

Prediction

South Africa is favourite to win the encounter.