Brendan Taylor lauds Zimbabwe’s all-round performance against South Africa – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 in a surprising 29-run victory in the 3rd match of the ongoing Twenty20 Triangular Series at the Harare Sports Club
on June 20.
“We got both departments right today and very proud. The toss did play a part, but we took full advantage of it with the 100 opening partnership,” he said. “We changed our bowlers well today and we are all extremely happy.”
The ongoing unofficial series was initially considered imbalanced in terms of the rankings of participating teams, with South Africa towering over minnows Zimbabwe and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747. However, the series recently took an exciting turn with Zimbabwe’s 29-run
defeat of the formidable Proteas, courtesy a professional, all-round effort by the entire team.
Things appeared to be going in their favour after the Rhodesians won the toss and obtained the advantage of batting first on a pitch which has been known to slow down as the match draws on.
Using the opportunity to the fullest, Zimbabwe’s openers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/H-Masakadza-c1517 (55) got their team off to a powerful start with a 114-run stand.
Masakadza was sent back to the pavilion by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/E-Chigumbura-c1411 packing), the host
team refused to slow down. Skipper Brendan Taylor stepped in with a contribution of 38 off 21, and Zimbabwe posted a fighting total of 176 on the board.
Emboldened by their success on the pitch, the team’s bowlers backed the stellar batting performance with an equally effective bowling attack. South African skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HM-Amla-c1557 was dismissed on 11 in the 3rd over, granting the hosts an early breakthrough,
and none of the bowlers went wicketless, with Player of the Match http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AG-Cremer-c947 (4-0-29-3), and Richard Muzhange (4-0-28-2) proving particularly deadly.
The Rhodesians managed to reduce their opponents to 147, all out, by the end of 20 overs, marking a spectacular victory for the underdogs.
However, the skipper refused to encourage a complacent attitude post-victory, stating that Zimbabwe, who are currently unbeaten and in the lead with 4 points on the series points table, need to concentrate on their next match, scheduled to take place at
the same venue on June 21 against Bangladesh.
“Tomorrow is another game and we have to stay focused,” he insisted.
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