[Match Thread] Zimbabwe vs South Africa, 2nd ODI

[brmtaylor.com admin]

I remember really enjoying the match last time we played at this ground (even though we lost). Taylor carried his bat for 145* and I was so happy seeing my two favourite players (Taylor and Grant Flower) batting together - a situation I think none of us could have ever predicted would ever happen again.

[SpitfiresKent]

drop Ervine to number 6

Weren't you the one giving Streak and co sh*t for playing Ervine in a similar position against UAE?

Ervine needs to stay @3 in my opinion, he was very unlucky to be given out having not edged it in the first match.

[SpitfiresKent]

I remember really enjoying the match last time we played at this ground (even though we lost). Taylor carried his bat for 145*

Grainy highlights on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5xEuq1kVj8

[TapsC]

drop Ervine to number 6

Weren't you the one giving Streak and co sh*t for playing Ervine in a similar position against UAE?

Ervine needs to stay @3 in my opinion, he was very unlucky to be given out having not edged it in the first match.

This is why I clearly stated in the same post that I doubt we will need a finisher at any point in this series because we are heavy underdogs. Completely different context. He has a clear weakness against pace. Its not a coincidence either that he couldnt score 24 off 18 against pacers from the UAE.

Its not like I want to see him do badly. I am actually backing him and Williams to be up to the task against one of the best spinners in the game who will probably bowl between the 20th over and 40th over.

He was unlucky in the first game. That is true. Its actually shocking that we have no drs for this series. Shows how much SA cares

[jaybro]

I can see where you’re going TapsC but I think a stable batting lineup is best for everyone, plus your theory that we don’t need a finisher because we’ll get bowled out early is very negative, what happens if we’re chasing and the top order does well leaving Ervine to come in needing to hit 25 off 15 ?? You’ll probably hammer him again or the coaches for leaving him until the end.

I’ve always said Ervine is best suited to bat 3 or 4 as he is a slow starter and an accumulator of runs, batting him down at 6 or 7 is negative because he only serves as a back up plan if we fold early.

Although Ervine is a better player of spin I don’t think he has a weakness against pace, well any more so than our other guys. His weakness is his first 20-30 delivered he has always been a terrible starter.

As for dealing with Tahir the best way is for our top order to not lose early wickets so we have set batsman in when he comes in to bowl. I’d be leaving the order as it is the only change I had was Moor in at 5 and Willy at 6.

[Melon.]

In today’s world, you need to be a finisher in ODIs no matter where you bat.

[Melon.]

And that also includes bats coming in at number 3s

[TapsC]

In fact looking at the history of big scores at the stadium we are playing at this time around my idea might not work. Lets stick to the same order

Hami was at uni there. BT played a big knock there too. Hopefully they find some form.

[Kriterion_BD]

ODIs are all based on which team plays better from overs 11-40 both with bat and ball. The first 10 overs almost never decide a game, and the last 10 only occaisionally do. Its those middle 30 overs that really seperate the good teams from the bad.

[Stoneman Returns]

There is so much difference in thinking regarding young talents between upcomming team like Afghanistan & Zimbabwe. Rashid Khan, 16 yrs age leg spinner who was smashed by AB De villiers in World T20 2016 is now ruling world cricket. Mujeeb Zadran another young spinner has, emerged as a star as Afghanistan Board did'nt made any delay of selecting him after the conclusion of youth world cup.

And then there is Zimbabwe, where selectors are killing the confidence of the youth players by dropping them even after performing and not giving enough chance to prove their worth, banking on so called experienced players who already have been emerged as failure and still continuing their average performances with the help of politics & friendship with the selectors