South Africa v Zimbabwe, 29 May 1999

It is hard to see this match being anything other than one-way traffic. South Africa have been the slickest team of this tournament so far, although Pakistan are perhaps more talented individually (and more volatile).

Zimbabwe have wins to their credit against Kenya and (importantly if head- to-head comes into play) India, but the losses to Sri Lanka and more particularly England were less impressive. The bizarre thing is, Zimbabwe could yet qualify for the super six if India lose today, especially if Kenya do the unexpected to Sri Lanka tomorrow...

Lance Klusener (112 runs without dismissal, 12 wickets at 10.33) will, as usual, be the man to watch for South Africa in this game. For my money the player of the tournament thus far, he has on more than one occasion in this series lifted South Africa from a good position into a winning one. Hansie Cronje (51 runs at 17.00) has been the disappointment of the South African bats in this World Cup, but his value to the team is more Tayloresque in nature.

Zimbabwe must either rely on their specialist batsmen to push the runs at the top of the order or find a pinch-hitter who can pinch-hit. The Paul Strang disaster must not be repeated if Zimbabwe are to have any success, and for first drop they really need look no further than Murray Goodwin. Like Klusener, Zimbabwe's best performer has been an all-rounder, Neil Johnson. But when his batting strike-rate of 73.39 per 100 balls is the best of the Zimbabwean camp, you know that they have a problem.

It's time for Zimbabwe to stop smelling the Flowers and lift their overall team performance.

Prediction:

South Africa by (batting first) 80-100 runs or (batting second) 12-14 overs in hand.

Head-to-Head Statistics:

ODI matches played: 7 (in South Africa 3, in Zimbabwe 2, neutral 2)
South Africa won 6, Zimbabwe nil, no result 1
On neutral soil South Africa have won 1-0 (1 no result)