[Match Thread] Ireland v Zimbabwe (World Cup Pool B)

[jimbo]

I would like a series against Ireland with Michael chinouya and Brian Vitori in place of the spent forces of payangara/Mupariwa. We would certainly win. Payangara is more of a test player and mupariwa has lost loads of pace

[sloandog]

mupariwa has lost loads of pace

He's never had any pace mate. Always hovered between 70 and 75Mph at a push. He looks very average at the moment

[FlowerPower]

Would it be the end of the world if Taylor played county cricket? Look at Elton chigumbira. He played county with northants and still turned out for Zimbabwe in the tri series vs India and Sri Lanka

He'd need to be an overseas player which is hugely competitive (beats me how Chigs got his North amps gig) else he'd have to be on a Kolpak contract which is exclusive I.e. can't play international cricket and be kolpak....as to having a British passport...would be strange as Zim doesn't allow dual citizenship but that would help his cause greatly.

If there is money Zim needs to tie down Taylor and Williams as they are most likely to be lost. They with Hami if he can get consistent should be the core for next WC...

[FlowerPower]

mupariwa has lost loads of pace

He's never had any pace mate. Always hovered between 70 and 75Mph at a push. He looks very average at the moment

True that he never passed pace which is one of the reasons given for his 5 year absence as Streak et all pursued pace.

But to be fair I think he was decent overall econ of 5.11 for the two matches he played.

Zim bowling needs a revisit. Chatara at 24 has to be the spearhead we build around. Jarvis would've been a good hunting partner and still can't help but feel Vitori can't be a lost cause at 25 can't be a lost cause...surely there must be others Muzhange what's the story there? Agreed Panyangara isn't an ODI bowler besides at 29 he may have at most only one more WC in him same goes for Mpofu Chinouya Shingi etc Then bring in someone to work with them like Streak did

[eugene]

Our bowling is just crap. AB de Villiers bowls with as much pace as our 'strike' bowlers.

[jaybro]

We dropped 3-4 catches didn't we ?? Can't blame the bowlers for that ( except when Mupariwa dropped one of his own bowling ) .....

I actually think our front line seamers have been pretty good, it's our allrounders Mire and Chigs that have killed us. Neither are even bowling now cause they can't keep it under 6 an over. I really liked the idea of 8 batsman but without the allrounders bowling well and a quality spinner it just didn't work ......

Vitori will be back for sure and there are some other youngsters coming through like Chimhamiwa, Mupunga, Musoko, Mumba etc so it's about developing these guys and making sure they're ready to go for the next WC .....

I'm very worried Williams will get a county deal and take off, he has runs and wickets this WC he must surely now be looked as our best 'all round' player ??

Btw gutted by the loss after such a good effort by BRMT and Williams then Mupariwa's heroics at the end, I can't believe they lost ......

[foreignfield]

... I think this cockiness brings added juice to the game, which would otherwise be boring.

Tastes obviously differ, which is okay with me, it's a free world. But it is also okay to criticize a behaviour which is not to one's taste.

I think "respect your opponent" is the first lesson every kid starting out in sport needs to learn -- and it certainly was high on the agenda of my coaches when I was a kid. And if they forget that lesson in later years, or have never learned it, it doesn't hurt to remind them.

Ireland have claimed that BD and ZIM don't play them due to fear of losing - and Ireland are correct. They have backed their "arrogance" on the field, something the Afghans have only done somewhat. Ireland now have a better W/L record against top 8 sides in world cups than BD even. They are being marginalized by the ICC. I think they can be excused for their behavior. This was a HUGE game for them.

The first part of what you say is true, but it has nothing to do with the players. No player has any say in who they play against, and to my knowledge no Zim cricketer has ever said that playing Ireland would be beneath them or anything else the Irish could feel aggrieved about.

I wouldn't have a problem if that "cockiness" was directed where it should be, but I guess it is so much easier to act like a p**** to your opposition than to publicly show the ICC the middle finger.

[C Boomer]

You are old Skipper!

Said a precocious nipper
to his experienced skipper;

"You are old yet still a cunning critter,
a very handy hitter,
you never miss a sitter,
over point a classy chipper,
of the pads a crafty clipper!
And you bowl a deadly dipper,
a floating flipper,
mixed with the odd, rotating ripper,
the batsmen's knees tremble and jitter,
as you run in patter-pitter,
the only sound a little titter,
when you release that stealth, stump splitter
to claim another 5 for or double hat-tricker!
Not forgetting a specialist slipper,
a great fielder, catcher, grabber, gripper!
Pray tell, what makes you such an all round,
cracking, cricketer"?

Replied the experienced skipper
to the precocious nipper;

"Now listen very carefully,
young snapper-whipper!
Time is much too precious,
to throw away or fritter,
for if you choose to wander,
or simply be a quitter
you'll end up on the shelf
like a moldy kipper
so here are my proven tips,
from an expert tipper!
Practice makes perfect
and helps get you fitter,
so don't lay around too long,
tweeting on that twitter
sending silly messages,
by electronic transmitter!
Avoid smoking or risk becoming,
a cougher and a spitter
though a social beer is recommended,
or a pint of bitter
but don't go the way of many
and become a steady sipper,
throwing away good money
as you would the litter!
Find a supportive wife,
who does not nag or nitter,
enjoys cricket, is domesticated,
a thrifty sewer, stitcher, knitter,
don't fall for the first who flashes long lashes,
with a flirtatious flitter!

Finally, enjoy the game
and your career will surely glitter,
but remember, the umpire is the adjudicator,
judge, jury, the sole arbiter,
his decision is final, so please,
no back chat or silly chitter!

And if you prove yourself my son..
One day you may be the skipper”!

[Kriterion_BD]

Tastes obviously differ, which is okay with me, it's a free world. But it is also okay to criticize a behaviour which is not to one's taste.

I think "respect your opponent" is the first lesson every kid starting out in sport needs to learn -- and it certainly was high on the agenda of my coaches when I was a kid. And if they forget that lesson in later years, or have never learned it, it doesn't hurt to remind them.

Did the Irish players refuse to shake hands with the ZIM players at all? Or was this one of those shakes right after Taylor got out? If its the former, then yes, that kind of behavior cannot be condoned. If its the latter, than its the heat of the game, I'm sure the Irish were thinking "thank God cuz he was going to take the game away from us" instead of "jolly good knock that". You have to realize that when a Dale Steyn or a Mitchell Johnson says "good job" to Taylor or a Shakib, its because they really don't care. We're never going to beat them, so why not help the little kiddies out with a congrats on a great but ultimately futile achievement. Its condescending actually.

I'm sure BD players never congratulate Taylor or Hammy after they score tons, because we're worried about losing and its a big rivalry to us. India doesn't care about ZIM because they will almost never lose.

I remember when Ashraful hit his magestic ton vs Ponting's Australia in Cardiff 2005. No congrats whatsoever at the moment, only Gilly absent mindedly clapping his hands while Punter had a "man we're so fucked" expression on his face. Absolutely acceptable IMO.

The first part of what you say is true, but it has nothing to do with the players. No player has any say in who they play against, and to my knowledge no Zim cricketer has ever said that playing Ireland would be beneath them or anything else the Irish could feel aggrieved about.

I wouldn't have a problem if that "cockiness" was directed where it should be, but I guess it is so much easier to act like a p**** to your opposition than to publicly show the ICC the middle finger.

It may be a case of displacement. But you have to look at the vantage point of the Irish. The Irish have a legitimate claim at the position that BD and ZIM enjoy. Afghanistan doesn't and even they mouth off and talk shit about BD. I think it brings color to the game and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm not saying I don't get riled up, but I enjoy that. Makes smashing them that much more enjoyable.

[jaybro]

I still haven't seen the law about only 10 teams being allowed to have test status ??

If the Irish want test status go do something about it stop whinging that Zimbabwe shouldn't have it, I'm with who ever said they can't stand the Irish they are a pack of cocky pricks Porterfield and the O'Brien brothers are the worst but I'd love them to have test status so we can build a rivalry with them. They clearly don't like us so let's return the favour and invite them for a tour and prepare some pitches that suit us and give them a hiding ......