Contrasting African teams set for Pool B opener

One team is considered as one of the favourites of the tournament; the other isn't good enough to deserve consideration. Be that as it may, come Sunday when South Africa play their neighbours Zimbabwe in an ICC World Cup Pool B match at Hamilton's Seddon Park, there would be no dearth of excitement among expatriates from both countries.

There is a huge contrast in both teams' challenge. South Africa have gone into the past World Cups mostly as favourites but their best performances have been semi-final appearances in 1992, 1999 and 2007. Can they go all the way this time and shake off their "chokers" tag? That's the question on every South African's lips.

The Proteas turned in a mixed performance in the two warm-ups leading up to this day-nighter. They beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in a rain-curtailed contest before New Zealand, one of the pre-tournament favourites, brought them down several pegs by inflicting a 134-run defeat. The latter performance indicated amply that the South Africans haven't completely cast off their habit of absolutely falling apart on a bad day.

Surprisingly, Zimbabwe, going in the tournament as the number 10 team in the ODI rankings, did very well in their warm-ups. In their match against New Zealand, they had reduced the hosts to 157 for 7 before rain brought the contest to a premature end. And then in their second game, they stunned 2011 World Cup finalists Sri Lanka by chasing down 280. Clearly, Zimbabwe are capable of spoiling a couple of parties and if they somehow could get the better of their much-superior opponents on Sunday, they could even begin dreaming of their maiden knockout appearance.

The importance of seasoned batsman Brendan Taylor's wicket and Zimbabwe's upset win against Australia in a triangular series last year weren't lost on South Africa captain AB de Villiers on the eve of the match. "He's [Brendan Taylor] just always been the thorn in the side for us growing up, and he's still a great player, and he's done so well in his career," De Villiers said on Saturday.

"Lots of credit to him, and we will witness his capabilities in tomorrow's game, and the other boys. Look, they beat Australia not long ago. They're a dangerous side."

South Africa are also looking over their shoulders over the fitness of batsman Farhaan Behardien who is battling a back injury. In case the 31-year-old fails to get fit in time, fast bowler Wayne Parnell could be drafted into the XI. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, face no such concerns. The pitch at Seddon Park is expected to be full of runs and when one adds up short boundaries to the equation, things look more harrowing for the bowlers.

Despite having stunned South Africa by 48 runs in the 1999 World Cup, Zimbabwe haven't won against them since 2000. That tells you how big the gulf is between the two teams.

Squads:

Zimbabwe

Regis Chakabva (wk), Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura (capt), Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Solomon Mire, Tawanda Mupariwa, Tinashe Panyangara, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor (wk), Prosper Utseya, Sean William

South Africa

AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn