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South Africa batsman Hashim Amla plays a shot during the first ODI match at Queens Sports Club on Saturday, while ZImbabwe’s wicket keeper Richmond Mutumbami prepares to catch the ball

Ngqabutho Moyo Sports Reporter
THE national cricket team is optimistic of victory in today’s second One Day International (ODI) match against South Africa at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
In the first ODI match on Sunday, South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 93 runs to take a one nil lead in the three match series, the first between the neighbours, since 2010.

The two sides have now met on 33 occasions, with Zimbabwe only tasting victory in two games, although one of those successes was a shock win at the 1999 World Cup.

History has proven odds are very much against them making a comeback in the three ODI series.
However, Zimbabwe national team cricket head coach Steven Mangongo was optimistic that his side could pull off a win if they correct the wrongs that led to the Proteas dominating the first game of the series.

“We have a chance of winning tomorrow’s (today’s) game if we manage to improve on our weaknesses from the batting side of our team,” said Mangongo.

Zimbabwe’s attacking “fast” bowlers Shingi Masakadza and Nevile Madziva failed to put pressure on their opponents opening batsmen Quinton de Cock and Hashim Amla who opened with a century partnership.

South Africa’s success was built on the back of Hashim Amla’s 15th ODI century, his third against Zimbabwe. Such is his ODI form, that he has now passed three figures four times in the past six matches.

Amla received batting support from Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis, who both scored 50s, and shared century stands with the test captain, as the Proteas piled on 309 runs in their 50 overs.

Although the batsmen fell well short of their target against what was essentially a reserve bowling attack, it was in the bowling department that Zimbabwe lost the game.

Zimbabwe’s own rookie “fast” bowlers lack sufficient pace to extract any life from the placid strips in Bulawayo as they bowled short balls that were dispatched to the boundary emphatically by the worldclass batsman, Amla.

Shingi Masakadza gave away 77 runs in his allotted 10 overs without taking wickets, while Luke Jongwe did not have a great debut either, conceding 45 from his six overs also without taking wickets.

Only the spinners provide a threat to any batting attack, with former captain Prosper Utseya leading the pack and bowled 10 overs for just 44 and took one wicket.

Bulawayo boy Sean Williams with his left arm off spin could only slow down the Proteas run rate with his counterpart John Nyumbu on debut being expensive but took two wickets.

South Africa is a top side because their bowling attack is formidable, with Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander being among the best ODI bowlers in the world.

The same is true for their batting side as captain AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and JP Duminy who are some of the best batsmen in the world.

With the retirement of the iconic Jacques Kallis from ODI cricket after the tour to Sri Lanka, the South Africans have begun planning for the 2015 World Cup.

The Proteas, meanwhile, will have the opportunity to measure the bench strength, and the team might look to uncapped Mthokozisi Shezi and recalled Marchant de Lange.