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Team

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

Australia A 23/1 (6.4 ov)

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

Good to see Mpofu on the warpath.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.