NZ Warm Up Match Thread

[totoro]

Chakabva has booked his spot in the test side, he's made sure Zimbabwe get a small lead as well. Also a good innings from Shingi.

[FlowerPower]

Mutizwa out now 45-2. Chakbva may well have an outside chance of getting another test match call

oh dear ... maybe they'll panic and throw the much-maligned Matsi instead

There goes Mutizwa's test hopes.

Fortunately I think Butcher and Grant have a bit more maturity than that. One duck in a practise match doesnt undo all the months good work and one big heart performance doesnt all of a sidden make Chakabva a better player (congrats to him though).

If you ever played cricket you'd understand. But if FM went on to fail (a couple of times, like Craig, )then you will hear my call for him to sort himself at FC...after ONE practice match? ....Talk about wait with sharp long knives ...you ought to be ashamed!

[FlowerPower]

Great knock from Reggie, Waller and Taibu...maybe this is what the selectors see in him (Reggie). Moral victory of a lead! But batting is a worry.

[PSR]

Chakabva has been impressive

[FlowerPower]

Mutizwa out now 45-2. Chakbva may well have an outside chance of getting another test match call

oh dear ... maybe they'll panic and throw the much-maligned Matsi instead

There goes Mutizwa's test hopes.

Fortunately I think Butcher and Grant have a bit more maturity than that. One duck in a practise match doesnt undo all the months good work and one big heart performance doesnt all of a sidden make Chakabva a better player (congrats to him though).

If you ever played cricket you'd understand. But if FM went on to fail (a couple of times, like Craig, )then you will hear my call for him to sort himself at FC...after ONE practice match? ....Talk about wait with sharp long knives ...you ought to be ashamed!

Although based on Reggie's knock I can understand the temptation. But remember pre Pakistan in the A game Foster did simillarly well only to be left out for an incumbent who was struggling. Lets see how this plays out. Everything aside Chakabva has done very well and hopefully his critics (including me) have food for thought.

[FlowerPower]

and I see Price is making me eat my words for calling his batting a myth!!! Good on yah Pricey!

[Jemisi]

Broadly, we are competing. We don't seem to be excelling, but hopefully that will happen at just the right time in the Test.

[FlowerPower]

Here is a wild thought. Reggie faced the new ball with Shingi and did fairly well. Why not let hom open and drop Hami one down. Then shoot out between FM and Chigs for 7. I did say it was wild but think about it...

As for 7 I still contend this is a batting spot and Chigs the batter is not better than FM, maybe POTENTIALLY ODI but certainly not Test.

[takleg]

Maybe Chakabva faced the new ball, but he got to face TIRED guys on a pitch which probably had little juice left in it as these probably wasn't any moisture left in it. The question is, can he face a fresh Marto, Dougeh, Southee and Boult on a green bouncy seaming top?

[betterdays]

oh dear ... maybe they'll panic and throw the much-maligned Matsi instead

Fortunately I think Butcher and Grant have a bit more maturity than that. One duck in a practise match doesnt undo all the months good work...!

you misunderstood my tone FP, i was saying that toungue-in-cheek. I haven't 'seen' FM bat since the last time he batted in an International game so it's hard to say about his demeanor, attitude at the crease, technique, etc. but the thing is, he was brought along, not as a given for a spot, but as an option - which is why they brought Chaks as well (I think Matsi has come early in the case of major disaster like illness and injury). Chaks is clearly rated highly [and i have to say the little i've seen of him has been unimpressive and his stats back that up but they do see something or he could not still be being picked]. There is only one practise match and having brought them both along we have to assume they are in some sort of competition for the spot... it's a good total, they've done well for a little confidence booster battingwise