Rain expected as South Africa target series sweep

Overview
**South Africa v Zimbabwe**3rd T20I
Willowmoore Park, Benoni
Sunday, 14 October, 02:30 PM local time, 12:30 PM GMT

Zimbabwe's batting has repeatedly faltered against the South African bowling attack, as a result of which they were clean swept in the one-day international series and are on the verge of meeting the same fate in the three-match T20I series.

In the first T20I, they were bowled out for 126 in response to South Africa's 160/6, while in the second game they could only put up 132/7, which South Africa chased down with ease.

Despite the scoreline, South Africa have also had problems in the batting department, particularly in the top order. That is an area they will look to fix in the third match.

They should, however, be pleased that the likes of Dane Paterson, Robin Frylinck and Rassie van der Dussen – all new faces in the team – have performed well. With the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 on the horizon, it is an opportune time for them to come good and put themselves in the fray.

Gihahn Cloete and Christiaan Jonker, two of the other newcomers, were left out of the second game, but with the series in the bag, South Africa might be tempted to give them another shot.

Zimbabwe's next assignment will be a tour to Bangladesh soon, and they must be pleased that their bowlers have shown signs of promise. In the previous game, Sean Williams sparkled with both bat and ball too.

Overall, Zimbabwe have been competitive in patches, but they will look to pull together as a unit in the final game to try and upset South Africa's plans for a whitewash. The more experienced players like captain Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura and Williams will have to lead the way.

Key players

Lungi Ngidi (South Africa): In his short international career, fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has already made a big splash. He has taken three wickets in the two T20Is so far, but was a tad expensive in the previous match, conceding 36 in his four overs, while taking a couple of wickets. Batsmen seemed able to pick his slower ball, and he will want to work on disguising them better.

Hamilton Masakadza (Zimbabwe): The captain has been getting impressive starts at the top of the order throughout the series but has repeatedly been dismissed in the 20s. In the previous match, his knock of 21 featured a couple of fours and sixes each. He's looked in good touch, but has just been unable to get the big scores. He'll want to change that trend in the final game.

Conditions

It is set to be a cloudy day in Benoni, and chances of rain are worryingly high. The wicket at Willowmoore Park tends to have something in it for the quicks, but it is typically good for batting.

Squads

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Junior Dala, Quinton de Kock, Jean-Paul Duminy, Robert Frylinck, Christiaan Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Gihahn Cloete, Rassie van der Dussen

Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza (c), Solomon Mire, Neville Madziva, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Chris Mpofu, Chamu Chibhabha, Wellington Masakadza, Tarisai Musakanda, Tendai Chatara