South Africa have taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 in three match ODI series. It was expected that South Africa would win both the T20 and one day international games, and so far they have done so.
The match at Benoni on 22nd October may have some surprise in store for us as Zimbabwe would love to put a win under their belts. A pitch suitable for batting is expected. There have been plenty of runs for both teams in this series.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers would be feeling a lot of pressure going into Thursday’s encounter; there bowling has hopelessly struggled in touch conditions in South Africa. Zimbabwe would be happy that their batsmen have done very well in the series despite Grant Flower’s unpretentious return to international cricket.
Brendon Taylor alongwith with other batsmen has shown maturity and aggression in T20s and ODIs. Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu was positive about his team and said they were ready to bounce back to end series on a high note. Zimbabwe will have to improve their bowling performance if they want a different result on 22nd October. Zimbabwe are eyeing to play test cricket in 2011. 
Every game is a motivator as they want to get their Test status back.
South Africa’s performance in their last game was their best in this series. They would be a team with sky high confidence ahead of third and final one day international at Benoni on 22nd October.
Led by Graeme Smith, their batting consisting of JP Duminy, AB de Villiers, Colin Ingram and Hashim Amla, looks a solid wall of concrete. All of their batsmen are in good form. Hashim Amla has scored back to back centuries in the series. South African captain praised his bowlers but admitted that his bowling would need change a thing or two. Graeme Smith said his side looks in good shape to take on a stiffer Pakistan in Dubai later this month, he said his bowlers can and should perform well there. 
South Africa will gleefully accept Rusty Theron’s bowling efforts in the series, he has taken eight wickets in two ODIs including a five-for in the last game. It would be interesting to see how Theron’s builds on his success and what would Wayne Parnell, Johan Botha and others would do to end a forgettable series on a high note.
South Africa would hope to continue their winning momentum before taking on Pakistan in UAE.
South Africa have won all five matches recently.