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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
UNDERDOGS Zimbabwe are ready for a showdown against the world’s best Test cricket side when the one-off Test tie gets underway at Harare Sports club this morning.
It could either result in a humiliation for Zimbabwe, at the hands of a rampant South Africa side, or, even in defeat, there is so much to win for the hosts depending on how they apply themselves.
Captain Brendan Taylor and coach Steven Mangongo believe they can compete.
The last time the two sides met was in 2005 in South Africa and the hosts romped to victory by an innings and 21 runs in the first Test before an innings win in the second.
Nine years later, Taylor wants to avoid that.
Veteran batsman Mark Vermeulen returns for his first Test in 10 years, and first international in four years, and spinner John Nyumbu has been given a chance to make his debut.
“Mark has put his hands up, he is really looking solid and he is calm, for once, which is great,” said Taylor.
“He is actually bringing in a lot of experience into the side, he is full of constructive ideas and, hopefully, he can have his clear mind set on the game as he has been in the last couple of weeks.
“It can only work to our advantage, SA are expected to put a huge performance but we just need to focus on the basics and enjoy the moment and it’s a great occasion to be playing South Africa in a Test match and we are looking forward to that challenge.
“We have prepared nicely and we need to take it day by day and session by session, not to worry about the end result too much.”
Mangongo, in charge of his first match at Test level, says the fact they have not played a Test match in almost a year is going to make it difficult for them.
“It is difficult because we are always starting but it is the nature of our position, because of our rankings, and we have to accept that is where we are and we have to make the best of it.
“But the reality is that it is difficult for the players spending a year without playing and getting back into it, even on the confidence side, it becomes a different ball game altogether.
“The regular you play, the easier it gets. It’s always an uphill struggle when you don’t play a lot. But there is nothing we can do about it and we just have to make the most out of it,” said Mangongo.
South Africa captain Hashim Amla wants his team to carry their recent momentum into this game.
“Ideally a win is a win but if it happens quickly, then great, we don’t want to read much into the result of the game because for us we want to keep the depth and not get caught in other distractions.
“We want to keep the momentum but we are not yet sure if we are going to play the same XI. There are some areas we could have worked on following Sri Lanka. We have number of games left in the season so I think we just need to find the right formula. I have always felt that I need to make decisions with the long-term in mind and this Zimbabwe series can fold into a three-match series including two against Sri Lanka and one here,” said Amla.
But Amla knows that there is no team that can be taken lightly in international cricket.
“There is a different type of pressure playing a lower side, without a doubt, we have to respect the game and we have to respect our opposition and I think this team has done that over the last few years and I don’t think we are going to take it any different.
“We are anticipating it to be a good contest, Zimbabwe has a lot of good batters but it is not like we are here to give them some lessons,” said Amla.
Mangongo yesterday said he will name his final XI this morning having assessed the pitch conditions at Harare Sports Club.
“It’s a great challenge; it’s the ultimate (challenge) playing the best in the world. We are a professional team and we are under no illusion we know that we are up against it.
“We have to bring our best game for us to compete and that has been the hymn all week long that we have to play out of our skin basically.
“We have had interesting training over the last week, we have had fun,” added Mangongo.
Squads:
Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (capt/wicket keeper), Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Elton Chigumbura, Hamilton Masakadza, Richmond Mutumbami (wicket keeper), John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusi Sibanda, Donald Tiripano, Mark Vermeulen, Sean Williams.
South Africa: Hashim Amla (capt), AB de Villiers, Kyle Abbott, Quinton de Kock, Marchant de Lange, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Rilee Rossouw, Mthokozisi Shezi.
Online Reporter