Tri-series preview: Zimbabwe v South Africa, Australia

Zimbabwe, South Africa and Australia will meet for seven ODIs in late August and early September.

<b>Zimbabwe</b><br>The tournament hosts didn't do themselves any favours by chopping and changing the squad throughout the the recent three ODIs against the Proteas. If not a positive results margin, a settled set-up would have served them better going into this considerably stiffer test. Alas, the selectors have other ideas – and your guess as to the composition of the squad will be as good as captain Elton Chigumbura's deduction.

Overcoming opposition substantially stronger in the International Cricket Council rankings, regardless, will remain the daunting task at hand – as <a href='http://www.paddypower.com/bet/cricket' target='_blank' class='instorylink'><b>odds on Paddy Power</b></a> will attest. The team is not short of spirit and a change of scenery – from Bulawayo to Harare – will bring a change in conditions, and perhaps fortune. Chigumbura must come the party, to justify the veteran Brendan Taylor's loss of the captaincy.

<i>Key Man</i><br>All-rounder <b>Sean Williams</b> is proving as key with the ball as he is with the bat – and will come more into play amid reservations of former skipper Prosper Utseya's bowling action.

<b>South Africa</b><br>The Proteas ongoing experimentation with combinations can continue against the Zimbabweans – but must all but be finalised in twin fixtures against the Australians. Consistently billing each and every match as a build-up to the World Cup, now is the time for captain AB de Villiers and coach Russell Domingo to walk the talk. They weren't entirely convincing in the three ODIs this month.

The return of fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel will certainly help, while the absence of the injured Vernon Philander and Beuran Hendricks isn't ideal. The inexperienced Kyle Abbott and Mthokozisi Shezi, though, are worthy like-for-like replacements. And time will soon tell if the rookie Rilee Rossouw can crack it on the big stage.

<i>Key Man</i><br>Left-arm seamer <b>Wayne Parnell</b> is becoming a senior member in this attack, and did a good job in leading by example in the recent three-nil whitewash over the Zimbabweans. Always second fiddle to Morkel and Steyn, though, he must maintain a niche role regardless.

<b>Australia</b><br>The Aussies hardly ever associate themselves with Zimbabwe cricket in a positive light – and their media have done an embarrassing job in labeling the country the worst to tour. Coach Darren Lehmann has suggested the squad is rusty but ready, while captain Michael Clarke – like the South Africans – is eager to finalise options ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

The side is somewhat understrength, with all-rounder Shane Watson and batsman David Warner absent due to impending fatherhood. Opportunity knocks for the inexperienced Ben Cutting and Kane Richardson, then. Amid a plethora of limited-overs fixtures this week and the next, the Australians will surely play the most attractive cricket.

<i>Key Man</i><br>Pace ace <b>Mitchell Johnson</b> will be afforded the chance to reassert the dominance displayed against England, really intimidate the Zimbabweans – and lay an indelible mark on the South Africans ahead of next year's World Cup. The big-hitting Aaron Finch, meanwhile, is at <a href='http://www.paddypower.com/bet/cricket/zimbabwe-triangular-series?ev_oc_grp_ids=1884433' target='_blank' class='instorylink'><b>11/4 to be the tournament's top run-scorer</b></a>.

<b>Last Five Head-To-Head Results: Zimbabwe v Australia</b><br>2011: World Cup, Group A: Australia won by 91 runs in Ahmedabad<br>2004: Tri-series: Australia won by 148 runs in Hobart<br>2004: Tri-series: Australia won by 99 runs in Sydney<br>2001: Tri-series: Australia won by one run in Perth<br>2001: Tri-series: Australia won by six wickets in Hobart

<b>Last Five Head-To-Head Results: Zimbabwe v South Africa</b><br>2014: Third ODI: South Africa won by seven wickets in Bulawayo<br>2014: Second ODI: South Africa won by 61 runs in Bulawayo<br>2014: First ODI: South Africa won by 93 runs in Bulawayo<br>2010: Third ODI: South Africa won by 272 runs in Benoni<br>2010: Second ODI: South Africa won by eight wickets in Potchefstroom

<b>Last Five Head-To-Head Results: South Africa v Australia</b><br>2011: Third ODI: Australia won by three wickets in Durban<br>2011: Second ODI: South Africa won by 80 runs in Port Elizabeth<br>2011: First ODI: Australia won by 93 runs in Centurion<br>2009: Fifth ODI: South Africa won by 39 runs in Perth<br>2009: Fourth ODI: South Africa won by eight wickets in Adelaide

<b>Squads</b><br><i>Zimbabwe:</i> To be confirmed.

<i>South Africa:</i> AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Rilee Rossouw, Mthokozisi Shezi, Dale Steyn.

<i>Australia:</i> Michael Clarke, George Bailey, Ben Cutting, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Shane Watson.

<b>Fixtures</b><br>First ODI: Zimbabwe v Australia, 25 August, Harare Sports Club<br>Second ODI: Australia v South Africa, 27 August, Harare Sports Club<br>Third ODI: Zimbabwe v South Africa, 29 August, Harare Sports Club<br> Fourth ODI: Zimbabwe v Australia, 31 August, Harare Sports Club<br>Fifth ODI: Australia v South Africa, 2 September, Harare Sports Club<br>Sixth ODI: Zimbabwe v South Africa, 4 September, Harare Sports Club<br>Seventh ODI: Final, 6 September, Harare Sports Club

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