Match thread - Game 3 - Sth African Composite XI vs Zimbabwe

[CrimsonAvenger]

Well, you know how it goes - every time we lay into someone, they score big.

It is indeed this glorious inconsistancy among the players that is creating problems. Picking the best playing eleven would be very difficult, since you never know, the centurion of the last match might get out for a duck

[brmtaylor.com admin]

the centurion of the last match might get out for a duck

We're looking in your direction Tatenda Taibu!

Well done Keith Dabengwa, another FC fifty to his name. Pretty good strike rate too.

Zimbabwe 7/195

[maehara]

RW Price c Bossenger b Kruger 7

217/8. 250'll be tough to reach...

[zimdan]

I shal say it again, Dabengwa is zimbabwes most consistent player by far.

He might not always make huge scores like today, but aways contributes.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

I shal say it again, Dabengwa is zimbabwes most consistent player by far.

He might not always make huge scores like today, but aways contributes.

You've said it a few times now, but I struggle to remember the last time he made any meaningful contribution besides the odd 15 or 20. He seems to be the sort of bloke that can bat and bowl, but doesn't really excel at either.

I hope this is a turning point though, 72* and must be going pretty well. Hopefully Maruma can stick around so he can score his century.

8/230.

[zimdan]

Yeah but that 15-20 odd is more than most of our players make a usual basis. Making 0 then 50 next game is no help to anyone. if everyone can make 20 thats 220 on the board everytime. Not great but its something to work on and better than 89 in one innings then 300 in the next.

We have a habit of getting out for under 100, because of too many single figure scores. Consistency is key for any team, especially Zimbabwe.

[maehara]

250'll be tough to reach...

Mmmm. This crow is tasty. Maybe I'll follow it up with some pie.
Here's hoping Dabengwa can covert this to a century. Maruma's putting in a good knock, too.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

I can see your reasoning, and I do agree consistency is the key. But I do query what he brings to the team - he's 27, yet he's not as experienced as guys like Brendan Taylor and Stuart Matsikenyeri (both omitted). He hasn't bowled recently, and isn't required to bowl 10 overs in ODI's or take a share of the load in the First Class matches.

Surely then he is playing as a specialist batsman, while there are guys trying to get in the team that are better batsmen. It was Sean Williams in the last game, it is Brendan Taylor in this game.

His 79 today is a start, I really hope he can continue that form. I think he has been very lucky to date though. 15-20 an innings wouldn't buy any other player such an extended run in the team.

Maruma travelling nicely on 22. Let's hope Mpofu can support him a bit. Maruma is an underrated batsman, he has a bit of skill. I think it is unrealistic to expect us to bat out the remaining 19 overs, but it would be nice if we could survive a little bit longer, perhaps add another 25 or 30 to the score, and if required bowl a few overs to the South Africans and take a late wicket.

[maehara]

256 all out. All things considered, that's not actually that bad...

[brmtaylor.com admin]

256 all out. All things considered, that's not actually that bad...

I think it's about 100 short of where Zimbabwe ought to be, but considering they made 89 all out in the previous match, they'd take 256. Credit must go to Dabengwa for a fine knock, a real shame that wasn't converted to 100. Useful contributions from Chibhabha, Utseya and then Maruma.

I suppose we'll get about 16 overs at the South African's, it's important we get a wicket or two and hopefully don't concede much more than 40 runs by the end of the session. I think it is a mistake not having Gary Brent in the team, this is the sort of situation where he would really choke the opposition for runs through his nagging line and length. Let's hope Mpofu can replicate that.