Zimbabwe vs New Zealand | Test Series | First Test | 30 July 2025 - 03 August 2025

[CholeZimbo]

Can people relate to me when I say I have spent years watching Zim batsmen get out in ways that are like club players??

Of course they get bowled out by great balls and get more than their fair share of roughies. But lots of caught out pulling, no foot movement etc. Just all a bit amateurish

Yep. Always at least 50% of the wickets would have been avoided in most of our innings.

[sloandog]

Wow that was poor from Bennett.

[CholeZimbo]

Hopefully no final over curse. Please

[CholeZimbo]

Now hopefully no first ball curse for Welchy tomorrow

[Googly]

Not only worry about Santner but O'Rourke and Henry with the new ball on this pitch will trouble any batting attack on the planet. Theyre lethal.

I honestly dont know how Ben and Brian survived those first 4 overs.

That shot that Bennett went out to was near identical to his first innings. There's a few balls where he just doesnt get his head into the ball and then prods at it with his hands. His contact point is way too far out in front. This one came after a short ball that may well have contributed to him not being positive on that shot. He likes to stand on leg and play to his strength which is that point quadrant, but I wonder if an off-stump guard wouldn't take that little prod out of his game?
His current set up gets him runs but gets him out as well. The cat's out the bag with this little glitch, the guys now know and he has to counter it. Maybe just needs to get his head into the ball more positively.

Curran has never moved his feet much, thats the way he plays, but today there was less than usual. Its more head into the ball at this level and pace. Rainsford picked up something there though- he saw an initial movement where he opens his front foot slightly. Dont think he does that when he's in, havent really paid attention.

Theres no tougher gig than opening at this level against this quality of bowling.

We really really really needed to have survived that intact.

[Googly]

Always with Bennett he can look scratchy, but I said before, u look up at the scoreboard and he's suddenly on 20. Its in every format.
Today came courtesy of three pretty easy put-aways, but he's ready for them.

[CholeZimbo]

Who remembers Vusi Sibanda and the pull shot

[Andy31]

watched up until tea.

What's everyone's predictions.

I would say making them bat again is the minimum pass requirement.
I would really love a lead and making them get to day 4 but history tells us otherwise.

[Googly]

Nathan Smith unlikely to bowl, which should help. Spare a thought for him, he got absolutely bombed by TK and Blessing. He must be sore today. He was getting the most movement. He really struggled with the short stuff, but the wicket is two paced and the short ball is clearly a serious weapon on this pitch. Gonna be ugly for our boys as well because Henry and O'Rourke are quick and accurate.
Umps must have told them they couldnt bowl their quicks in those last 4 overs.

[TapsC2]

Definitely prefer these type of games over opposition batsmen getting triple centuries. Our top 3 shouldn't change because that's the future. They have to figure it out. BT either comes in as an extra batsman for Masekesa next game or he waits until Sri Lanka come. That's how it should go. In the medium term he can replace Raza in this format. That's the best solution in my opinion.