South Africa will begin their ICC World T20 Campaign against minnows Zimbabwe. South Africa who starts the tournament as one of the title contenders will want to live up to the tag and shed the dubious reputation of being ‘chokers’.
South Africa are the number one ranked team in all three formats of the game and they are expected to find it easy against their African neighbours.
Zimbabwe who were toyed with in the first match by Sri Lanka will hope to bounce back, but their task do not look easy especially after taking into consideration their performance in the last match.
The odds are stacked up high against them and they can spring some surprises as the format in itself is such that nothing can be predicted. The Proteas will avoid getting complacent and will not take their less fancied opponents lightly
Here are few players who can make the difference in the match:
South Africa:
Richard Levi: Richard Levi will open the innings for South Africa and he can get his team off to a flyer. He won the ICC T20 performance of the year award for his swash-buckling century against New Zealand and would like to leave his mark on this global arena. He is a raw talent and can lack elegance sometimes, but his power hitting and ability to destroy bowling attack makes him a dangerous player.
AB de Villiers: The wonder boy from South Africa can do everything on the field and that includes batting, keeping and fielding. But then the Proteas would want him to shine with the bat in the tournament. He is someone who can adapt to any role while batting. If his team requires him to bat up the order he will do that or later when the tempo needs to be increased. De Villiers with a strike rate of 120 has the knack of winning matches from losing situations and his team will be counting on him.
Morne Morkel: His expertise in this format was seen during the IPL season V. His vicious and precise line and length has made him one of the most dreaded bowlers of this format. He was one of the reasons why Delhi topped the point table in the IPL. His captain will be depending on him a lot to deliver the goods.
Johan Botha: One of the most experienced players in their side as far T20 is considered. The way the wickets have behaved so far in the tournament, Botha is expected to get assistance to from the pitch. He is a clever customer and can contain the batting in the middle overs.
Zimbabwe:
Brendan Taylor: The skipper missed out in the first match and was out for a first ball duck. He will look to make up for that and he is capable of doing it. He is one of the most experienced batsmen of Zimbabwe and the team be expecting him to lead from the front today.
Hamilton Masakadza: One of the most experience batsmen in the team, Masakadza did not have a good start to the tournament. He has a good record in this format of the game and if in his elements can create some problems for the Proteas.
Graeme Cremer: Cremer was the only bowler who managed to pick up a wicket in the match against Sri Lanka. He bowled a very strict line and was very economical. He will be very crucial in containing South Africa’s middle order and also can get some important breakthroughs.
By Indian Sports News Network
