Zim as good as done and dusted

The Proteas would be forgiven for taking their eye off the ball in the third one-day international against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo today. In fact, it would be irresponsible to stay focused on a mission that is already accomplished.

With the rubber won, South Africa's thoughts must turn to bigger things such as the triangular series in Harare that starts on Monday with a game between the home side and Australia.

AB de Villiers' team will take on the Aussies on Wednesday in what should prove a better measure of their progress towards readiness for next year's World Cup than anything the Zimbabweans have lobbed gently at them.

SA were almost embarrassingly superior in winning the first match by 93 runs on Sunday, but even sub-par batting on Tuesday - De Villiers termed it "a bit of a bailout batting performance" - was enough to realise a total of 257 and set up a 61-run victory.

"You've got to find a way to be competitive even if you're having an off-day," De Villiers said.

Quite. But the other side of the equation is that Zimbabwe have shown neither the playing nor the mental strength required to threaten the South Africans, much less beat them. Should they find it today, world cricket's biggest shock in recent years will be upon us.

But Zimbabwe may have a sliver of a chance, what with De Villiers talking about "possibly two or three" changes to the XI.

Rilee Rossouw, Mthokozisi Shezi and Marchant de Lange have been on the bench. Rossouw, at least, looks likely to get a game today. But he will have the biggest shoes to fill.

Hashim Amla, De Villiers said, had "played a lot of cricket and scored a lot of runs, and his boy is sick at home. So it's time for him to take a game off. Then we can get him back in for the tri-series nice and fresh."

Who of Kyle Abbott, Wayne Parnell or Ryan McLaren might be replaced by De Lange or Shezi - or by both - is less straightforward considering the incumbents are all competent batsmen. Another option would be to dispense with Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso.

TV Highlights

Today

Athletics: IAAF Diamond League from Stockholm at 8pm on SS5

Cricket: Third ODI, Zimbabwe vs South Africa from Bulawayo at 9.30am on SS2

Golf: Czech Masters from Vysoky at 11.30am and 3pm on SS1; The Barclays from Paramus, New Jersey at 8pm on SS1

Rugby: NZ ITM Cup, North Harbour vs Southland at 9.30am on SS1

Tennis: WTA New Haven Open from Yale at 7pm and 1am (tomorrow) on SS6