[Match Thread] 1st Match - Zimbabwe XI vs Australia A

[BaijuSpeaks]

Our opening pair has impressed me a lot. For the second time in a row, they have seen off the new ball attack. This is truly commendable.

And as the outcome of this practice game, I expect a Zim loss . There is nothing so embarassing about that as we have shown the world that Zim cricket has come out of the shackles.

[maehara]

65/1 at tea - Mawoyo on 30, Hammy yet to get on the scorecard. Only 4 sessions to go!

[jimbo]

Chakbva falls before the close, Not good. Good stand though but I feel Taibu will come in for him cometh the first test match

[takleg]

To save this match Hammie will have to get stuck in. It seems as if Chakabva has this tendency of getting a start and then losing his wicket. Ervine too has that tendency, he gets a lot of twenties and thirties, but does not kick on to get the big one. I think Flower has to work hard on these lads so that they can score big.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Three down at stumps, not a great position given Zimbabwe pretty much have to bat through all of day four to save the match. Meth is due for some runs, even if he can score 20 or 30 runs but more importantly hang around for around 80 deliveries then he's more than done his job. Then one of Ervine, Chigumbura or Waller needs to put on a big partnership with Masakadza who is the key... if he makes a big score and the others bat around him Zimbabwe could hang on. Easier said than done though, 90 overs is a long time.

[eugene]

It will be tough for Zimbabwe to bat out most of a day. This where the mental toughness of our players will be tested. I still wouldn't be surprised to see an innings defeat with our last 7 wickets falling for 70 runs or less. Tomorrow is the day we find out if our batsmen are really making any progress with the longer format.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Interesting final day's play awaits. We should be proud of ourselves if we manage to hold on for a draw. Very tough ask though.

Agree with many on this forum, at least the next match must be treated as the dress rehersal for our re-entry into test cricket, with full strength team being fielded. Match paractice is of utmost importance for people like Mpofu and Price. Give Mpofu less workload, look after him; but not playing him doesn't make much sense.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

There's over 3 hours before stumps (47 more overs according to Cricinfo), the score now sits at 8/298 or an 89 run lead. It would be good if Chigumbura could notch up a century, he has responded well without the weight of the captaincy on his shoulders. It's probably too much to ask (as Ncube might not be able to bat, if he only bowled 3 overs he might be carrying an injury) but another 60 or 70 runs pushes the lead to over 150. Australia A have some powerful hitters like Warner, but even that might be enough to save the match.

An intriguing next hour or so is in store.

[sloandog]

Well batted Chigs! xD

[eugene]

Great century from Chigumbura. His performance with both bat and ball in this match will have secured him the no. 7 spot in the test side.