clikcspeed wrote:1st part of the equation done, 90 odd overs left for tomorrow and if we bat well, it could even be 75. No doubt that the day 5 pitch is going to have a bit more but to lose 9 wickets on a batting track with no incentive to chase would be treacherous.
The 1 thing outside the draw that I would like is for Raza to convert, he's such a good player who just needs to work on his temperament.
I can't imagine Mushfiqur agreeing to call it off. Even if we batted the next 75 overs without losing a wicket, Mushfiqur would have faith that the spinners could roll the next 9 wickets pretty quickly. If there's a chance of rain though?
Taylor is badly out of form and really needs to get back on the horse somehow no need to be throwing the bat at everything. With regards Ervine not putting my hopes too high. His performance has been no better than Chari save for the pair. So a lot will hinge on Taylors performance here.
CHRISTOPHER MPOFU: 'The problem was fear of failure. I used to think that when I played, if I didn't do well in one game, I would lose my place for the next one but now I've let go of that'
I was able to watch some live action finally and what an excellent batting by Sikandar today. The mountain of 450+ chase and loss of a wkt didnt deter him. It was good to see this attitude which resulted in RR of 3.7. Earlier in first innings he said 'we can win' and the record breaking 2nd wkt stand with Hamilton supplemented his thoughts. Chiggs and Regis batted beautifully too. As Taylor and Ervine are due for runs it will be interesting to watch day 5. I just cant avoid thinking about the NZ chase considering Hami, Raza, Regis, Taylor, Ervine, Chiggs, Rich all are attacking players with positive intent. A win still may have been out of question but Zim should showcase their batting supremacy tomorrow.
Zim Rules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Satendra Singh, Delhi, India
Twitter: @drsitu
Congrats to Mominul on fifties in consecutive matches. The statsguru complicates the things so much. It took me time to understand why Andy 'the great' Flower is not in the list. I vividly remember when Andy Flower joined Everteen Weeks on scoring consecutive 50's in 7 innings. That elusive list http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/conten ... 83043.html has Weeks, Flower, Chanderpaul and Sangakara as joint toppers (7 ) fifties in consecutive innings. Mominul features in the list of fifties in consecutive matches (9 mt) http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/conten ... 83050.html and the record is by DeVillers (12 matches)
Zim Rules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Satendra Singh, Delhi, India
Twitter: @drsitu
Raza You have to just love this guys audacity and ability to take the attack to the bowlers. He does have to realize though at some point that attack is not always going to come off, and he'll have to learn to pick the gaps. He seems to use his feet well though and get to the pitch of the deliveries. Massive benefit for Zimbabwe to have him opening up.
Unfortunately the Chari experiment has not worked. I have seen nothing from either Kamungozi, Mushangwe, Chari and to a lesser extent Malcolm Waller that indicates they are fit for test cricket.
Waller showed in his very first Test match he can cut it at Test level. It's just tough to find a place to slot him in.. having him bat at number 8 does him no favours, and then dropping him after he was one of our best bowlers But he and Chakabva are both competing for a middle order slot and Chakabva has better form with the bat.
It's starting to turn square now, this could be all over pretty quickly. Looks like Raza will lose this review too
If there's a chance of rain though? 
You have to just love this guys audacity and ability to take the attack to the bowlers. He does have to realize though at some point that attack is not always going to come off, and he'll have to learn to pick the gaps. He seems to use his feet well though and get to the pitch of the deliveries. Massive benefit for Zimbabwe to have him opening up. 
But he and Chakabva are both competing for a middle order slot and Chakabva has better form with the bat.