Which Zimbabwe score would you prefer at stumps on Day 1?

[Kriterion_BD]

Hypothetical Test match on an average Test match wicket. For this thread there are only two choices.

350 for 8 (90 overs)

or

250-4 (90 overs)?

[jaybro]

Great question really hard to choose .....

On one hand you have runs on the board but you could be greedy and say you could get more @ 4-250 plus you have a chance to take more time out of the match .....

I'd probably take the 4-250 ......

[pariah]

Hypothetical Test match on an average Test match wicket. For this thread there are only two choices.

350 for 8 (90 overs)

or

250-4 (90 overs)?

It would be much simpler if you said that pitch in Colombo was so flat and batsman friendly at times Zimbabwe batted like that 2000s Australian batting unit. India are on holiday over there. Have barely shifted into 2nd gear. Probably should have sent over one of their middling Ranji teams.

Forget ZIM losing just 4 wickets in one day, especially if the make Hami open with Chari etc. No way the number 3 and 4 are having a 200 run partnership, even if it's Taylor and Craig.

I wouldn't back Zimbabwe to manage 350 a day in Bulawayo in Zimbabwe against IRE, AFG, NED, SCO, NEP or PNG even if there was a Test tomorrow.

A team of the Flowers, Houghton, Goodwin, Johnson, Campbell and Guy could barely score 350 a day.

Clearly, ZIM in SL inspired this post, and it looks like they batted for runs as opposed to a balance of time+runs. The pitch was quite simply kak and they couldn't help it.

I think in Tests 315/8 is average after day one.

[Conant]

Hypothetical Test match on an average Test match wicket. For this thread there are only two choices.

350 for 8 (90 overs)

or

250-4 (90 overs)?

350 for 8 for the sole reason that 250-4 could turn into 300 all out!!

[pariah]

350 for 8 for the sole reason that 250-4 could turn into 300 all out!!

But how deep into the 2nd day?

Factor in the time lost as each of those 6 wicekts fell, plus the innings break/changeover.

That's crucial

[Jemisi]

I am going to have a bet each way. Against a Big Team whose batting we won't get through twice I'd go for 250/4.

Against one of the new teams or one towards the bottom of div1 I'd go 350/8.

[CrimsonAvenger]

+1 to Jemisi

[eugene]

350-8. Presumably Kyle Jarvis has returned and he along with Cremer will rip through the opposition, make them follow-on, and we win inside of three days.

[ZIMDOGGY]

250/4 everyday of the week.

250 and 350 is only 100 difference.

It's simple maths, in this current lineup that means williams and Raza are currently at the crease with Moor, Waller and Cremer to come. 8 down we are nearly dead but the last however many innings we've managed to have at least one kick on with the skipper holding the other end.

At 4/250 I'm expecting 400 but 8/350 I'm expecting 365.

I don't buy the burn the hand argument here, because 350 isn't really that much itself

[ZIMDOGGY]

What's a more interesting scenario is if in the 350 scenario tirpano has come and gone as a night watchman at end of days play and we have ervine in the 180 region and cremer in