Batsmen to watch out for South Africa against Zimbabwe in the first ODI
South African batsmen have tormented the ordinary bowling attack of Zimbabwe as they dominated the T20 series against the tourists.
The top batsman of South Africa will be looking to cash in, on an opportunity to score big runs as they take on spirited Zimbabwe in the ODI series. Well, we have to discuss inform batsmen ahead of the first match.
Graeme Smith
Graeme Smith, the captain of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 has made himself the most dependable batsman in the team. As an opening batsman, he is capable of providing quick starts and is equally good at playing a sheet anchors role.
Furthermore, he is strong off his legs as he whips everything on the on-side that is pitched on middle and leg stump. Mainly, the left hander is strong in front of the wicket, playing straight is one of the keys to his success in all forms of cricket.
In Test cricket, Smith is fond of playing orthodox cricket, but it is the shorter version where he announces himself as big, muscular and devastating hitter.
His numbers in Limited over version will suggest his class as an opening batsman. In all, the burly left hander has played 154 matches, piling up 5732 runs at an impressive average of 40 with a best of 141.
His tally of runs includes 8 centuries and 41 half-centuries. Most importantly, his average of 40 is backed up by a breathtaking strike rate of 83 runs, considering the fact he has played most of his matches on bowling friendly pitches of South Africa.
Prior to the ODI series against Zimbabwe, Smith has been in great touch in the recently concluded T20 series between the two countries. Add to this, his 59 runs in 29 balls in the first match set up the chase of 168 runs, nicely for Proteas.
Moreover, his first innings devastation was followed by his ballistic 46 runs in 29 balls in the 2nd T20 match as he laid the foundation for a huge score. As a result, South Africans amassed a mountain total of 194 runs, which in the end, proved
enough to beat Zimbabwe.
The South African captain remains an integral part of their team to dismantle their opponents in the upcoming ODI series against Zimbabwe. If, Smith carries his current form to the ODI series, than it will be game over for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JP-Duminy-c1742
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jean-Paul-Duminy-c66758 is a touch player and a wonderful timer of the cricket ball. As a left hand batsman, he is capable of hitting down the ground and over the boundary rope by not using his muscles, but with pure timing and use of his wrists.
Duminy can play shots all-around the park as he is a well-rounded batsman. There is no such trademark shot for him, as every shot he plays is dealt with complete mastery over his strokes. His ability, to clear grounds at will, has made him a certainty in
ODI cricket for his team.
Overall, the dashing left hander has been a part of 58 ODIs, hunting down 1392 runs at an impressive average of 35 with a single century. Mainly, he features in the late middle order, which is why he hasn’t been able to strike more centuries, though he has
made some significant contributions to his team’s cause.
JP showed his class in the T20 series against Zimbabwe. In doing so, he guided his team to victory with his 35 runs off 22 balls, in the first match of the series. Proteas chased down a teasing total of 168 runs in 16 overs with 6 wickets to go.
Furthermore, he played the best T20 innings of his career, taking the depleted Zimbabwean attack to the cleaners. His unbeaten 96 runs came off just 54 balls, including ten boundaries and 4 sixes. As a result, he made the opponent’s batsmen sweat, while
chasing a mammoth total of 194 runs. Zimbabwe, despite their excellent batting display, only managed to reach 186 runs.
Duminy will be seeking an opportunity to further improve his numbers in the ODI series against similar oppositions.
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