[Match Thread] Zim XI v Australia A

[zimfan1]

Team

BRM Taylor*, V Sibanda, H Masakadza, CR Ervine, RW Chakabva†, E Chigumbura, P Utseya, KO Meth, RW Price, CB Mpofu, F Mutizwa

[zimfan1]

Australia A 23/1 (6.4 ov)

Decent start by Zimbabwe with Mpofu bowling tightly, intresting no Taibu in the side injury?

[Maraicha]

Good to see Mpofu on the warpath.

[hhm]

Glad to see the match underway, things looking ok for Zim - 230 should be within our reach. Although it's sad to see Taibu out of the side! Due to a mixture of inexperience&lack of form Mutizwa+Chakabva+Elton=Taibu. Like you I hope he's injured as opposed to being dropped. Mutizwa should have been a regular by now, so he must grab his chance. I would have had Taibu in place of Chakabva, and of course Waller for Elton (in home conditions the part-time spin of Waller, Taylor & Hamilton can make up for Cremer). Otherwise, I'm ok with the rest.

In case he's not injured, perhaps what might explain Taibu's absence if the fact that [1]they wanted to create room to have a look at Mutizwa (they've seeen enough of Chakabva), and [2]create room for a shootout between Elton & Meth. Unless either of them picks up a wicket, it might be down to their batting - where Elton can be a handful if he's not out of sorts. Would be a pity to see Meth relegated on that basis, he offers more value as a bowler. Elton is too wayward & expensive.With our frail batting, we can't really afford to go in with more than two seamers now.

[Lostart]

Our spinners are less than impressive at the moment. Mpofu doing the job on his own.

I reckon Taibu was left out so we can get a look at how Foster goes one the next level. Hope he does well. With the way things are going with wickets in hand we could be chasing a very big score.

[clikcspeed]

Interesting to see Mpofu bowling 7 overs straight. My observation during the world cup was that he did very well in his opening spell which was normally 4/5 overs in the mandatory powerplay thereafter he was a bit wild in terms of runs per over. So instead of having 5 good overs and 5 bad ones, he has 7 good overs and 3 overs to spoil which means less exposure. I'd say that is a sign of good captaincy by BT.

[Lostart]

And he brought him back for 1 over and Mpofu picked up a wicket. Looks like they have managed to pull the game back after that one big partnership. Hopefully we can keep them under 250 or so.

[clikcspeed]

Anyone for a wager? I have a good feeling about this one

[jimbo]

Hastings, Warner and Payne are the only one's with much ODI experience playing for the aussie side at the moment. |Zim should beat these really especially with their and aussies one day squad.
Now the four dayers will be more interesting with peter siddle and Hilfenhaus playing

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Australia A are 6/182 after 40 overs. Still 2 overs each from Price and Mpofu but we're a bit light on otherwise. We still need 4 overs out of the part timers... it's good to see Meth bowl well. After a shocking first over (12 from it) he's now got 1/44 from 9, taking the big wicket of Marsh.

Just as I've finished writing this post another wicket falls, 7/185 with Chigumbura getting a wicket. Zimbabwe have them on the ropes now... it would be exciting to see Taylor make a really attacking move and bring Mpofu back into the attack to try and clean up the tail rather than leaving him until the death overs.