[Match Thread] Zimbabwe v Netherlands, 1st ODI, Harare, 21 Mar 2023

[zimbos_05]

We knew you’d think that tbf

Glad I could deliver.

[Donald]

Williams has to play tomorrow. We are missing his middle order grit

[tej_27]

Another big problem is whoever bats second in Harare has a massive advantage. It flattened out perfectly. The gaps between the teams isn't that big anymore meaning that winning the toss in Harare in winter will narrow almost any gap between the sides. Bangladesh suffered heavily from this last year if we are also honest with ourselves here.

The winter here will see the team batting first fighting for their lives from 9.30 to about 10.45 and on the other side from about 2pm onwards the weather will flatten out the pitch perfectly. The change is actually not too extreme right now

I absolutely don't want the old Harare sports club pitch during qualifiers werein you win the toss and you win the match

[secretzimbo]

I’d consider bringing Larry in for Evans tbh. For whatever reason, Ervine clearly doesn’t trust Brad with the ball. And let’s be honest he’s offering nothing with the bat anyway. This is Chats’ best format.

Obviously Williams comes in if he wants to play probably for Wes. Although what’s the betting one of the other big guns is injured? Ballance hurt his hand I think fielding

[tej_27]

I’d consider bringing Larry in for Evans tbh. For whatever reason, Ervine clearly doesn’t trust Brad with the ball. And let’s be honest he’s offering nothing with the bat anyway. This is Chats’ best format.

Obviously Williams comes in if he wants to play probably for Wes. Although what’s the betting one of the other big guns is injured? Ballance hurt his hand I think fielding

Hahah so true . You will definitely have one of the big guns if Williams is playing I can bet on it

[CrimsonAvenger]

I’d consider bringing Larry in for Evans tbh. For whatever reason, Ervine clearly doesn’t trust Brad with the ball. And let’s be honest he’s offering nothing with the bat anyway. This is Chats’ best format.

Obviously Williams comes in if he wants to play probably for Wes. Although what’s the betting one of the other big guns is injured? Ballance hurt his hand I think fielding

Yeah, Chatara for Evans and Williams for Wes. Makes it possibly our best XI on form at the moment.

[Googly]

Ballance will be lucky if he didn't break/fracture a finger. That ball was hit like a rocket. Between him and Williams sitting out half the time it's going to be testing for us supporters.

[Donald]

Brad Evans had a warning early on for running on centre of pitch. Not sure if that was a motivation for holding him back

[Donald]

Be happy to see Chatara back in the side. Ngarava can hold a bat and has shown against India and Bamgladesh he can get some good scores for a tail ender.

[Kriterion_BD]

Brad Evans had a warning early on for running on centre of pitch. Not sure if that was a motivation for holding him back

That and I don't think Evans was all that threatening on that pitch. If you take his 5-fer out, he averages close to 60 with a high econ rate. I do think he has some raw tools at his disposal and certainly looks a very good bowling prospect...but right now the numbers just aren't there.