Match abandoned without a ball being bowled (No toss)
Unfortunate and disappointed, Zimbabwe will head back home with some bitter memories and next week this time, they'll be in Bangladesh playing an ODI game. The Proteas, though, will have a week's rest before they pack bags for Down Under. A 3-match ODI series and a sole T20I awaits them. But, we have a lot of cricket before that. Keep tracking this space for all the latest in cricket. Until next time, adios!!
JP Duminy: If you look at the series, it was said at the start that this would be one where we would give guys opportunities. It did unsettle the batting order but guys got opportunities. Wasn't a series of high scores but guys got game time. In terms of the T20I series, Patterson was good and many other potential players. Going to Australia with a lot of confidence. We've been speaking of this brand of cricket that we've wanted to play and it will be an opportunity to explore that in Australia. Playing against a quality side in their conditions will be a challenge. Have a good few months heading to the World Cup and hopefully we can fix issues. Assessing conditions will be crucial wherever we go. There are a few more days before we leave for Australia, so the guys will go to their provinces and do their preparations.
Tahir is the Man of the Series He isn't available to speak as he had been released earlier from the squad after the first T20I.
H.Masakadza: We spoke about this earlier, the bowlers did really well throughout and the fielders also complimented them. Batting has been a disappointment and we need to correct that going to Bangladesh. The top three or four needs to set a platform. We lost too many wickets earlier and that didn't allow us to express ourselves in the end. We have to adjust quickly to the conditions there (Bangladesh) as there isn't much time before the first game. Important for the top order to build a platform, conditions should be easier to bat there but it's important to start well. Plenty of surprises, Brendon Mavuta, being one. Made his debut recently and has done really well. Hopefully he carries on.
15:48 local: It's a pool right now in Benoni. Fancy a swim? And uh-Oh, our worst fears have come true. The game has been called off and South Africa take the series 2-0. With rain refusing to relent and the outfield soaked to saturation, the umpires have decided to put an end to the hide-and-seek bummer. So, that's all we have from this game. There's only so much a sport can do when mother nature decides to dictate proceedings.
15:40 local: Another inspection scheduled @ 16:00 local.
15:00 local: 'Raining cats and dogs' Ever heard of that phrase? It's getting stronger by the minute is the latest and I'm afraid the bad news - of play being called off - is warming up round the corner.
14:35 local: Bad news, peeps! The (rains) intensity has gone up, and chances of play look pretty bleak.
14:11 local: Okay, scratch all that! It's PELTING DOWN, AGAIN.
14:08 local: It has gotten a bit gloomy, but no rain as of now. Inspection at 14:45 local. Remember, this is the maiden T20I scheduled at this venue. Well, well...
13:54 local: Covers coming off, yay! Looking much brighter now. There could be a bit of delay before toss.
13:45 local: Yikes! "A gloomy, rainy day at Benoni," is what Mpumelelo Mbangwa had tweeted a few moments back. Also, the entire square has been under covers for a while now. More updates as and when we have it...
South Africa, on the other hand, tried and tested a few players to clear a few hiccups before the all important World Cup. Faf, during the post-match presentation in the last game, revealed that the plan is to give 2 games to every individual and get the confidence going. He also added that he won't be part of today's T20I which means JP Duminy will take over the captaincy duties. You know what to expect then! Toss and team news to follow....
13:35 local: Huzzah, people! Welcome to the final game of Zimbabwe's tour of South Africa. The visitors had their moments, some shone with the bat and some with the ball, but the lack of a complete performance is what hurt them in both formats thus far in the series. Today is their last chance saloon moment. Can they click in unison and salvage some pride?
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Preview
Imran Tahir or no Imran Tahir - there seems to be little improvement in Zimbabwe's showing against South Africa. Pluck five players out of the team the hosts fielded in the second T20I, and they would be left with virtually their second string side. Having got their near full-strength squad to feature in the series, this was supposed to be Zimbabwe's best chance to upset their much-dominant neighbours, but two games down and they have already conceded the series.
The experiment that South Africa were conducting by providing opportunities to their fringe players can be pushed to the fifth gear in the dead rubber clash on Sunday in Benoni. And given how Zimbabwe's tour has panned out so far, they can do that safely betting their result won't be affected in the inconsequential encounter.
The inability to form partnerships in batting has been Zimbabwe's biggest undoing in the T20Is. Neither have the younger players put up any noteworthy contributions, nor have the senior batsmen - Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams - managed to single-handedly dominate. The bowling, barring in the first two games of the ODI series where the conditions favoured them, has lacked the bite as well.
All through the tour, Zimbabwe, at best, have managed to threaten to bring the contests in balance but that's the best they have attained, as all have ended in one-sided affairs. They had come to South Africa with much hope but they haven't even managed to push the hosts into uncomfortable positions. With only a solitary game left, all that could leave them inspired is the possibility of a one-odd upset.
What: South Africa vs Zimbabwe, 3rd T20I, Benoni
When: October 14, 2018, Sunday at 02:30 PM local
What to expect: This will be the first T20I set to be hosted at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. The venue, in the last 10 years, has witnessed some high scoring encounters in ODIs. However, the domestic contests at the venue in the last one week proved to be low-scoring affairs. The weather could aid the seamers. It is expected to be cold with the possibility of scattered thunderstorms and cloud cover.
Team News:
South Africa: With the series sealed, South Africa might look to rest some of their senior players, especially Faf du Plessis who has hinted at that.
Zimbabwe: Wellington Masakadza and Neville Madziva could get a look in in the third T20I.
What they said:
"There's been a lot of guys coming in and sometimes it creates a bit of a headache and it's a good one to have. Other guys getting opportunities are doing well... The plan is that everyone gets two games and that means the skipper is going miss out unfortunately in the next game." - Faf du Plessis.
"Guys are getting starts, but it's about building on those starts. We've continued to lose wickets at the wrong times." - Hamilton Masakadza, pointing at Zimbabwe's inability to forge partnerships with the bat.
Teams:
South Africa (From): Quinton de Kock(w), Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis(c), Jean-Paul Duminy, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Robbie Frylinck, Dane Paterson, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Junior Dala, Gihahn Cloete, Christiaan Jonker, Reeza Hendricks
Zimbabwe (From): Solomon Mire, Hamilton Masakadza(c), Brendan Taylor(w), Tarisai Musakanda, Sean Williams, Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Brandon Mavuta, Kyle Jarvis, Chris Mpofu, Tendai Chatara, Neville Madziva, Chamu Chibhabha, Wellington Masakadza