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Historic Boxing Day test match and a genuine privilege to be starting the thread.

I think we’ve got a good chance whatever the final XI selected. All the best boys.

Pray for rain?

Afghans have so far been pretty poor in red ball cricket. Most of their white ball stars don't play Tests, and their Test players are largely still minnows.

The last time either team won a Test was in March 2021, so its been almost 4 years for both teams. A great series nonetheless, and Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan need to play 5-6 Tests a year if they want to close the significant gulf between themselves and the bottom ranked WTC sides.

I think its gonna end up being 2-0 to the Afghans because of their spinners and the venue being Bulawayo. I'd have gone 1-1 if the series was played on a traditional Harare track.

Kriterion_BD wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 25, 2024 11:48 pm

Afghans have so far been pretty poor in red ball cricket. Most of their white ball stars don't play Tests, and their Test players are largely still minnows.

The last time either team won a Test was in March 2021, so its been almost 4 years for both teams. A great series nonetheless, and Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan need to play 5-6 Tests a year if they want to close the significant gulf between themselves and the bottom ranked WTC sides.

I think its gonna end up being 2-0 to the Afghans because of their spinners and the venue being Bulawayo. I'd have gone 1-1 if the series was played on a traditional Harare track.

They should all be incorporated into the WTC somehow.

I think if we play 8 batsmen all we need is one batsman to score big and we have a chance. I'm hoping Williams gets a few big scores. Also an opportunity for one of the new faces to show they deserve to play at this level. Completely different ball game.

The vaguely Christian cricketers must hate Boxing day tests, especially the guys with kids.

The forecast is overcast today and then rain and thunderstorms from tomorrow.

How's this Konstas guy scooping Bumrah from the get go!!
It's actually a pretty safe shot if you're good at it.

Googly wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 26, 2024 4:57 am

The vaguely Christian cricketers must hate Boxing day tests, especially the guys with kids.

It's a huge market for sports and entertainment. I'm surprised we haven't been doing this for years. Unfortunately it's one of the things you sign up for in their profession. It's good to see ZC thinking in a commercial way actually. Probably the biggest possible crowd you can get for a test match

They made it free at the ground for today I think to try and get a big crowd in to create an atmosphere. Should be good for the TV audience who are the main target. If we don't fold in 30 overs of course