hhm wrote:The man bats at six, that's my point! Put him up the order to open or bat at three like the rest then he's collect a lot of single figure scores like the rest! No one said anything about Matsi doing more than him. Overall, he has been as equally poor as Mutizwa over the same period! I'm right on the money in saying that he hasn't been at the top of his game! Drop the misinterpratations and focus on facts. He's being shielded, and doing little despite being shielded! Half-centuries in dead rubbers don't count for anything. That's when sides give their fringe players a run!
There are players and there are roles. In fact, it must be all the more admirable that he has done well coming in at no. 6. You can't just imagine out of thin air that he would fail if he is given a chance at the top of the order. He hasn't had too many chances up there, and let us see how he goes if and when he gets that. But currently, he has done a fine job as the team's no. 6.
Its not even about the man's ability or talent or performance. Its his approach towards the game, a selfless approach that has come as a breath of fresh air among all those struggling batsmen who seem to be prioritizing the need to establish themselves in the team more than doing the goods for the team in the team game.
I will do my best to translate from New Zealanderish to Zimbo.
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
hhm wrote:That's what senior players need to do, occupy the first 3 positions in ODIs (even Sachin, Ganguly, Amla) etc do that! That's what Hami, Taylor & Taibu need to do, instead of sacrificing Regis, Matsi & Forster!
It looks very embarassing when, just like the Test match they hide, and still fail!
We stood a good chance of beating this NZ side if we went about things the right way, now we're just chasing respectability!
You are right, Matsi should be shielded and come in at 11 where he belongs.
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
Taibu is so frustrating, in the last couple of years he has really taken to throwing away his wicket.
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
There will be many times that Zim will lose quick wickets, and Waller will be forced to come in before the 8th over is up. In fact, I doubt he's done well at anytime that he's been forced to come in before the 1oth over!
Once again, ignore my points but more often than not you'll be forced to withdraw your arguments!
Of how much more value would the Taylor-Taibu partnership have been if it came after Hami had fallen, and we're 71/2 now with Matsi & Regis to come, instead of 71/4!
But then Matsi and Regis would have come in, got bogged down, got out and we would have lost all momentum. Best to get the dead wood out of the way early so you still have time to save the game.
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
A good 50 for Brendan 'the anti-hhm' Taylor. Sometimes it seems like he is our only worldclass batsman.
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
