NAM vs SA Ball by Ball Commentary

12:00 PM IST Righto, done with all the pre-match rituals and it is time to get the ball rolling in Windhoek. The two umpires have made their way out to the middle. Erasmus leads his troops out as the Namibian players take their respective fielding spots. For South Africa, it's a new opening pair. A right-hand, left-hand combination of Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Connor Esterhuizen. The captain, Gerhard Erasmus, himself is taking the new ball. Pretorius is on strike. Here we go...

11:54 AM IST Photographs and anthems - With this being the final league game before the finale, both squads and the support staff line up for photographs, while the crowd continues to stream into the venue ahead of what promises to be an exciting clash. And now, both teams walk to the middle for their respective national anthems. It will be Namibia's first, followed by South Africa's.

11:48 AM IST PITCH REPORT - The broadcaster begins by saying that the conditions are bright and sunny and also points out that it is chilly in Windhoek as well with a high of 19 degrees Celsius. Informs that it is the same surface that was used for the previous match, while also highlighting the way the ball and the abrasive surface assisted the spinners. The broadcaster notes that there is a decent covering of grass, but the pronounced cracks running through it tell a different story. Notes that coming out of the dry season here in Windhoek, sitting at 1,640 metres above sea level, there simply hasn't been enough moisture in the air to aid growth, even with plenty of watering. Adds that the result is a surface that's abrasive by nature, offering turn for the spinners and some variable bounce for the seamers too. Reckons there should still be runs on this pitch, but stresses that the batters will need to apply themselves properly to cash in.

11:41 AM IST Let's now hear from Kwena Maphaka - Maphaka says that the thinking isn't really different and hopefully they can showcase their talent. Adds that the air is a bit thinner and he actually likes the cooler conditions. On the surfaces, he says that they have generally been great, with the off surface having some variable bounce, which they are used to back home as well.

11:52 AM IST A chat with Namibia's experienced campaigner - JJ Smit says it is a big match to reach the final. Calls it a virtual semi-final and he also notes that South Africa will come in confident, having gone 2 from 2 against Zimbabwe. Stresses that Namibia should carry their own confidence into the game too, believing fully in their ability to get the better of them. On the partnership between Alexander Volschenk and Zane Green earlier in the tournament, he calls it unforgettable, praising Alex as young, talented and hardworking, someone who was thoroughly clinical that day. Admits that it didn't quite get them over the line then, but he's hopeful of seeing something similar again, this time going all the way.

11:40 AM IST South Africa (Playing XI) - Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Jordan Hermann, Dewald Brevis, Connor Esterhuizen, Rubin Hermann (WK), Eathan Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin (C), Andile Simelane (In for Duan Jansen), Nqabayomzi Peter, Kwena Maphaka, and Nqobani Mokoena (In for Prenelan Subrayen).

11:42 AM IST Namibia (Playing XI) - Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Gerhard Erasmus (C), Zane Green (WK), Alexander Volschenk, Ruben Trumpelmann, JJ Smit, Malan Kruger (In for Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton), Jan Balt, Jack Brassell, and Max Heingo.

11:38 AM IST The skipper of South Africa - Bjorn Fortuin says that it is a used wicket, so it doesn't really matter whether they bat first or bowl first. Talks about being beaten by Namibia twice in a row at this venue, mentioning that they would love to change that fact and get a win. He ends by saying that they have a couple of changes in the side.

11:40 AM IST The captain of Namibia - When asked about the possibility of making it 3-0 against South Africa with a win today, Gerhard Erasmus keeps it simple, calling it a new day, while underlining that they do have a good record against them. Says the bigger picture is booking a place in the final in front of their own fans. A win today, he says, would be special. Ultimately, he stresses, the tournament is about winning the whole thing, and today is simply a step towards that goal. He also confirms one change to the side, with Malan Kruger coming in for Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton.

11:31 AM IST TOSS - Namibia win the toss, and they will BOWL first.

11:07 AM IST Shades of brilliance - South Africa have bounced back in stellar fashion after that opening day loss and since then, a number of different players have stepped up. Dewald Brevis has shown flashes of brilliance, whereas Lhuan-dre Pretorius missed out on what would have been a stellar ton in their last encounter. The bowling attack, especially the spinners, have been brilliant and the Proteas would love to head into the Final with another win. Stay tuned for the toss and team news.

11:04 AM IST Memories of a recent past - This tri-series between the three African teams began with hosts Namibia shocking South Africa and the home crowd will be hoping they get a repeat of that performance. Gerhard Erasmus fought a line battle in the last game against Zimbabwe and he will be hoping that his troops deliver a big performance.

11:00 AM IST All or nothing for the hosts - Namibia square off against South Africa in the 6th and Final round robin match of this tri-series. The Proteas are pretty much guaranteed a place in the final, win or lose, but for Namibia it has to be a win or Zimbabwe go through. On that note, welcome to the coverage.

10:58 AM IST ... MATCH DAY ...

6:49 PM IST Final in sight - We are down to the final game of the round-robin stage in what has been a highly competitive Tri-Series, with the final spots still to be decided. We could not have asked for much more going into the last game. Zimbabwe's win over Namibia has kept them alive in the competition, but given their poor net run rate, the realistic route to the final is for them to go through on points. For that to happen, the Chevrons will be hoping South Africa beat Namibia, which would see the hosts miss out on the final. Youth making a mark - After being stunned by Namibia in the campaign opener, the Proteas have responded well, putting together a couple of wins to get their campaign back on track. It has been a case of individual brilliance driving their batting efforts so far, with two young stars who have a long future ahead of them living up to their promise. Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius have been the standout performers, while the Hermann brothers, Jordan and Rubin, are yet to make a significant impact, as is Connor Esterhuizen. A promising bowling unit - Having been handed the opportunity to lead this second-string Proteas side, Bjorn Fortuin has thrived in the role. He has picked up 7 wickets in 3 games while also being miserly with the ball. In his debut series, Duan Jansen has made a strong impression as well. He has made a case for himself for future assignments in this format. Prenelan Subrayen has also made his presence felt and complemented Fortuin nicely. The openers need to fire - For the past couple of games, Namibia have found themselves in trouble before being lifted by individual acts of brilliance. Their two openers have combined for the fewest runs among the 3 teams in the tournament so far, and they will need Jan Frylinck and Louren Steenkamp to set the tone with the bat. Namibia have found different individuals stepping up at different stages, with their skipper Gerhard Erasmus being the most recent to make an impact. A collective effort will be needed if they are to challenge the Proteas bowling unit. A varied bowling attack - With the ball, Namibia have had plenty of contributions across the attack. Gerhard Erasmus, with his ability to bowl from different angles and varying heights with his off-breaks, has posed plenty of questions. JJ Smit and Ruben Trumpelmann have 5 wickets apiece, with Trumpelmann being the more impressive of the two, while Smit will want to be more economical. The challenge for Namibia will be to put it all together against a strong South African batting line-up. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - NAM - LLWWW | SA - WWLWW. What to expect? In this Tri-Series, the conditions have generally provided a good contest between bat and ball. The surfaces have offered something for the seamers with the new ball, while the slower nature of the pitches has brought cutters and changes of pace into play as the innings has progressed. The batters have had to adapt rather than simply look to attack from the outset. Once they have spent some time at the crease, there have been runs to be scored, but shot-making has not always been straightforward. A rematch with plenty at stake - These 2 sides faced off in the curtain-raiser of this Tri-Series, with Namibia coming out on top. They will take confidence from that effort, although they have since lost both their games. South Africa, meanwhile, will be riding high on confidence after putting together 2 wins on the trot. They also have the best net run rate of the 3 teams, knowing that as long as they avoid a big defeat, they should be in a strong position to make the final. Who are you rooting for?