With the regular captain, Faf du Plessis out of the series, South Africa is all set to host Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series starting on Sunday, September 30, 2018. The first match will be played at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley.
Final scores:
South Africa wins by 5 wickets.
South Africa 119/5 in 26.5 overs.
Zimbabwe 117 all-out
The match is scheduled to start at 10:00 AM Local, 8:00 AM GMT.
The two teams will also play a three-match T20I series after the conclusion of the One-day series. Prior to this series, the two teams have faced each other 38 times in the ODI format, out of which South Africa has won 35 times and Zimbabwe has won twice with one game ending without any result.
South Africa beat Zimbabwe by five wickets!
— ICC (@ICC) September 30, 2018
Heinrich Klaasen top-scoring with 44 in the run chase.
Re-live the action 👇https://t.co/ySg78XtMzb pic.twitter.com/E5U2kPypp2
A new look Proteas to take the field on Sunday
Injuries to key players mean that South Africa will be without some experience at the top of the order as Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, and captain Faf du Plessis will be out of this series. Even though they are without some firepower in the batting, their bowling will be completely packed with all the key players.
South Africa are 45/3 at the interval chasing Zimbabwe's 117.
— ICC (@ICC) September 30, 2018
It's been wickets galore so far, will it continue that way after the break?
Follow #SAvZIM live 👇https://t.co/ySg78XtMzb pic.twitter.com/rAJV3klQ46
Led by Jean-Paul Duminy, South Africa will be starting this series as favourites, not only because they seem to be more competent, but the fact that they are playing their own backyard.
The Proteas have a good line of all-rounders as well, with Wiaan Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo expected to play in the first ODI.
Zimbabwe welcome back the experienced star players
Zimbabwe are 38/3 against South Africa!@andileluck19 with the wicket of Hamilton Masakadza in his first over.
— ICC (@ICC) September 30, 2018
Follow #SAvZIM live 👇https://t.co/ySg78XtMzb pic.twitter.com/txkOfNgH8D
Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor will be back in the Zimbabwe side after missing the Pakistan series due to pay disputes with Zimbabwe Cricket.
The three players will surely be in the middle-order, according to ESPN Cricinfo. Captain Hamilton Masakadza will have to make a tough decision while choosing the wicket-keeper. Both Ryan Murray and Peter Moor have served as the keeper in the past, but only one of them will make the XI on Sunday, given the balance of the side.
The pitch in Kimberley has yielded a lot of runs in the past when teams have played at this venue. According to ESPN Cricinfo, Sunday will be a hot day in Kimberley with no chances of rain. In addition, there will be some breeze which is expected to blow, making it a suitable day for cricket.
The live coverage of the series between South Africa and Zimbabwe will be telecasted on the SuperSport channel in South Africa. The live streaming and highlights will be available on the website and app of SuperSport.
