Predicting Zimbabwe’s playing XI vs South Africa 

Zimbabwe have played some impressive cricket in the last few months, especially in the longest format. Craig Ervine and his side have played five games this year and lost four, and won just once. That win, though, came away from home against Bangladesh earlier this year at the Sylhet stadium. 

Zimbabwe then toured England and played a one-off Test match, where they gave a decent account of themselves. Brian Bennett, Sean Williams, and Sikandar Raza did well with the bat in their innings loss. With more Test cricket, this relatively Zimbabwean side will do much better. Ervine will be facing the new WTC winners and will be hoping to build on their impressive performances and looking to pull off an upset. 

Here is the likely XI for ZIM vs SA

Top order-  

21-year-old batter Brian Bennett has emerged on the scene as one of the best young batters from Zimbabwe in recent years. Bennett has played seven Test matches for Zimbabwe, scoring 460 runs with an average of 38, with two centuries and two fifties, with a best of 139, which came in the game against England. Veteran opener Prince Masvaure has played a total of nine Tests, scoring 432 runs with an average of 27, with four fifties. The 36-year-old will be keen to do well as Ben Curran misses out due to injury. 

Middle Order –  

Zimbabwe will be banking on their two most experienced stars to shore up their batting unit. Sean Williams has played 20 Tests, scoring over 1800 runs with five centuries and six fifties with an average of 44 and has also picked 25 wickets. Craig Ervine has played 26 games, scoring 1690 runs with four centuries and seven fifties with an average of 34. Nick Welch, who has just made his debut, has so far played three games and has already scored two fifties with a best of 90. 

Lower-order- 

Clive Madande has played just one Test match so far, which came last year against Ireland. Madande is a highly experienced white ball player with 16 ODIs and 40 T20i games. Wesley Madhevere has played six Tests, scoring 199 runs and also taken six wickets with his off breaks. Veteran batter Kaitano has played four games so far and scored 206 runs with one fifty. 

Tail enders – 

Kundai Matigimu is counted as one of the fastest bowlers in Zimbabwe and can bowl at over 140 KPH. Blessing Muzarabani has picked 54 wickets from 13 games with 3 fifers so far and is one of the best bowlers for Zimbabwe across formats. Trevor Gwandu is a decent medium-pacer and a decent lower-order batter for Zimbabwe across formats. 

ZIM vs SA

B Bennet, P Masvaure, S Williams, C Ervine, N Welch, C Madande, W Madhvere, T Kaitano, K Matigimu, B Muzarabani, T Gwandu. 

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

For more exclusive updates, visit BJSports to access Exclusive News that is only for you, incisive analysis, and updates, and to keep up with all of the latest information on your favorite remarkable cricket players and teams. To ensure you never miss out, join in on the fun right away!