Deflated Zimbabwe seek consolation win

It's dead rubber time. The common factor that unites South Africa and Zimbabwe in this series so far is the fragility in the batting department. Batsmen from both teams have been exposed and found wanting. As evidenced in the first two ODIs, both teams have had their moments but eventually it was South Africa, who managed to seize them when it mattered the most to seal the series and go 2-0 up in the 3-match series.

Zimbabwe's last win in any format came in March this year. It has been less than three months since they were handed a 0-5 whitewash by Pakistan and the visitors are set to face another predicament. Avoiding humiliation is perhaps as great a motivator as anything and they will be desperate to regain some lost pride. The second ODI hinted at a Zimbabwe revival after a below-par performance in the first game; bowlers led by Chatara were instrumental in reducing the hosts to 101 for seven and Masakadza and Co. would've sniffed an opportunity to level the series. But their hopes were pinned down by a 75-run stand between Andile Phehlukwayo and Dale Steyn for the eighth wicket. The latter on his comeback trail unveiled his batting might and registered his maiden ODI fifty to drive South Africa to safer shores.

Chasing 198, Zimbabwe were bamboozled by Imran Tahir, who rattled the visitors with his box of tricks, scalping a six-wicket haul which included a hat-trick and Steyn chipped in with two wickets to shoot down the opposition for a meagre 78, winning the contest