ZIM vs AUS: 3rd T20I, Preview- Bruised Zimbabwe itch for a comeback against rejuvenated Aussies

The teams have met only once in T20Is back in the 2007 World T20.

Published - 02 Jul 2018, 22:32 IST | Updated - 02 Jul 2018, 22:32 IST

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Both Zimbabwe and Australia have had contrasting fortunes in their first match. The hosts don’t have the services of their formidable players and their shortcomings were exposed by the number one ranked Pakistan. The bowlers impressed in patches, but not frequently enough to get the Green Army on the mat. Their batting looked alarmingly short of firepower and they stumbled along throughout.

The Aussies, on the contrary, had a stupendous match. Aaron Finch and his boys didn’t look nervous versus the Men in Green as they outclassed Sarfraz Ahmed and his boys without dropping any sweat. More than the victory, the team garnered back some confidence after the turbulent times they have had to encounter ever since the ball-tampering fiasco in March.

The victory also ensured that they move to the top of the points table with a Net Run Rate of 5. The conditions are expected to be bright and sunny and the Yellow Army would want to chase bearing in mind the form they showed in their opening encounter. Zimbabwe would need to pull off a herculean task, provided they are to overpower the might of Finch and Co.

Team Combination

Zimbabwe

Apart from the defeat, Kyle Jarvis’ thumb injury has landed them in a deeper hole. Chris Mpofu is likely to replace him. Malcolm Waller may replace Ryan Burl in the eleven. Tarisai Musakanda, after an impressive debut, will want to score in the next contest as well. Tendai Chisoro was their standout bowler and the home team will wish for him to deliver. Hamilton Masakadza needs to motivate the team somehow.

Predicted XI

Soloman Mire, Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza (C), Tarisai Musakanda, Peter Moor (wk), Elton Chigumbura, Malcolm Waller, Tendai Chisoro, Blessing Muzarabani, John Nyumbu, Chris Mpofu

Australia

The Men in Yellow are likely to field the same eleven. Aaron Finch played a blinder in Birmingham earlier and he didn’t disappoint in Australia’s opening match. It will also be interesting to see how Zimbabwe counter Stanlake’s pace and venom. D’Arcy Short missed out on a decent batting wicket and he would want to make amends. With the likes of Maxwell and Head, the rest of lineup is explosive as well.

Predicted XI

Aaron Finch (C), D’Arcy Short, Nic Maddinson, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake

Players to watch out for

Elton Chigumbura (Zimbabwe)

Chigumbura made his comeback to the national team after a couple of years, however, the match didn’t turn out to be memorable for him. He started with a couple of boundaries, but just when Zimbabwe needed him to carry on, Hasan Ali nipped him out. He also didn’t get to bowl. The Midlands-born all-rounder would be hoping for a better show versus Australia.

Billy Stanlake (Australia)

Stanlake bowled his four overs on the trot and his spell of 4-0-8-4 invariably sealed the fate of his team’s first match. The pacer generated prodigious bounce from the wicket and pinned even the likes of Sarfraz and Mohammad Hafeez, who are seasoned players. He is expected to be a handful even against the hosts.

Head to Head

Played – 1 | Zimbabwe – 1, Australia – 0, Tie/NR – 0

Stat Attack

2– This will be the second occasion when the two sides will meet in T20I format. Their first encounter was in the 2007 World T20 which Zimbabwe won by five wickets.

226– Aaron Finch’s average in T20I cricket in 2018.