Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, [email protected]
AFTER a dismal performance in the third match of the series, Zimbabwe Emerging will be needing nothing short of a win to keep their hopes of clinching the title alive as they go in for the fourth match at the Groenkloof Oval in Pretoria, South Africa today.
Today’s encounter will be a do-or-die for Zimbabwe Emerging as the hosts, South Africa are leading the five-match series 2-1, having come from one game down to win two consecutive matches.
Going into the third match on Friday, Zimbabwe Emerging coach, Stuart Matsikenyeri stressed the importance of being disciplined and that will also be one aspect that they will have to work on in today’s encounter.
Under pressure already, senior players will have to put in a lot of work and bring their best game to help the team secure a win.
On Friday, Matsikenyeri made changes to the team that played in the first two matches, resting some of the players due to injury concerns as they tried to manage the workload of seamers such as Tanaka Chivanga.
The bowlers will play a huge part in Zimbabwe Emerging’s quest for victory in today’s encounter and discipline will be key through minimising extras. The bowling department which boats of players such as Brandon Mavuta and Chivanga has failed to bowl out the South Africans in all the three matches while their opponents have managed to bowl them out in two of the three games.
Zimbabwe’s top order will also have to come in good in today’s clash as they have been losing early wickets at the top. One player who has been off throughout the series is Zimbabwe’s captain, Roy Kaia and his experience will be needed in today’s do-or-die encounter.
An improvement from Friday’s game where they lost by 10 wickets will be much welcome by the strong Zimbabwe Emerging team.
Batting first, Zimbabwe Emerging were bowled out for a paltry 129 runs in the last ball of the 30th over and the hosts went on to make light work of the experienced Zimbabwean bowling, chasing down the target in just 15,2 overs without losing a wicket to take a 2-1 series lead. South Africa Emerging finished on 130/0.
After today’s game, the last match of the series is set for Wednesday at the same venue.
The match starts at 10am and is available for livestream on the Cricket South Africa (CSA) YouTube page. – @brandon_malvin
Online Reporter