ZIMBABWE are looking to take the winning momentum from their Thursday triumph over Netherlands into today’s third one-day international decider between the two when they meet at Harare Sports Club.
The two teams have so far served two gripping contests with the tourists claiming honours in the first before Zimbabwe hit back with a 1 run win on Thursday.
This has set up what promises to be another exciting clash and one that is likely to attract a full house at the arena.
Hattrick hero, from the last match, Wessly Madhevere is hoping that they can wrap up the series as they prepare for the International Cricket Council World Cup qualifiers.
“The win is a boost... We will try to carry the momentum into the third match, cricket is about momentum so the win was good. Hopefully, we will win the decider. Playing against these guys you don’t wanna underestimate them, they got match winners. You never know at any given day two players might win a game, you have to be on your toes when you play against these kind teams. It's a good experience playing against these guys and hopefully with the preparations that we are having, we are going to win in the qualifiers and go to the world cup,” he said.
Madhevere scored 43 runs opening with skipper Craig Ervine, having lost a wicket in an unfortunate run out in the Tuesday clash which Netherlands won by 3 wickets.
Having struggled for form prior, he has never lost confidence in regaining his touch.
“If you don’t push yourself it will be difficult. Self-belief and confidence have to come from within. I just told myself to believe.”
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The all-rounder claimed a sensational hat-trick to help the Chevrons turn the game in their favour, having struggled for wickets in Netherlands' pursuit of a 271 run winning target.
He became the third Zimbabwean to take a hattrick in this format after Prosper Utseya, against South Africa and Eddo Brandes against England at the same venue.
It seemed Netherlands were coasting to a series clinching win until Madhevere struck first to remove Colin Ackerman after inducing a stumping to reduce the tourists to 213 for 4 after 43.1 overs.
He turned the game on its head when he bowled Teja Nidamanuru for a single ball duck before he also uprooted Paul van Meekeren's middle stump, again for nought.
Batting first, after winning the toss it was another topsy-turvy innings for Zimbabwe who flew out of the blocks with openers Madhevere (43) and Ervine (39) putting 61 runs on the board before the latter departed.
Some of Zimbabwe’s batsmen will be hoping to improve their performances, particularly Gary Ballance, who has struggled for runs thus far.
All eyes will be on Sean Williams (77) and Clive Madande (52) who did well with the bat in the last math.
Williams made a return to the national team after a long injury lay off.
He hit 11 boundaries after facing just 73 balls, while Madande, who also hit a half century in the first match, cracked five fours after facing 57 deliveries.
