[Match thread] Zimbabwe XI vs Bangladeshis (Tour match)

[Kriterion_BD]

In the end, it was to no advantage that Bangladesh requested an extra day for this tour match.

I don't think it's th epitch. But if is, I would be greatly disappointed to know that we deliberately prepared this pitch. However, considering that our selectors & administrators have persited with some ordinary players which they've allowed to taint our name and cheapened the value of our jersey, despite vowing to do the opposite by restoring our status, I doubt they have the capacity to make such a smart(sinister) move!

I'm pretty certain its the pitch. but we won't find out for sure until Aug 4 or 5. All I can say is I've seen Bangladesh bat in early summer England and in NZ and they were rarely shot out for under 200. They even put up better on a greentop at the Centurion against Steyn, Morkel, and Ntini. And/or its the long lay-off.

[TheBradDevil]

Hey guyz im th newest member of the forum. Very excited about the second coming of Zimbabwe to the Test arena and hope tht the team will live up to their potential. Im confident because i saw this potential being realised live at Kwekwe Sports Club against a strong Aussie side boasting the meanest and grumpiest paceman alive, Siddle, bowling his quickest. The crowd relished each and every blow inflicted upon the aussies, esp the partnership btwn Forster (67 off 70) and Chigz. Its true what they say, that sport brings a nation together. Though it was only a practice match, this feeling of brotherhood btwn virtual strangerz was amazing, the happiness on everyones face when 1 metre tall Mutizwa bludgeoned giants Copeland Hilfenhaus over the sightscreen repetitively was priceless, ive never felt more proud. Bangladesh have experience but i somehow cant help thinking that we have the edge over them: TALENT, and the ability to learn and improve going forward! Ths is smthng which Bangladesh have failed to do since 2000. Given the same resources and time Zimbabwe will do better thn what Bangla achieved. Given that these guys have been playing proper regular cricket for 2 seasonz and come this far, propz to them. As far as im concerned we have talent to compent, but as yet do not have consistency, which will come the more games we play. Persisting with this group of playerz and developing new talent is the key. I personally believe that in 5 yrz this Zim team will be as good, if not better than the Heydayz. Lets hope the guys show up tomorrow and bat all day....

[ZIMDOGGY]

I don't think it's th epitch.

fa real?

c'mon HHM, think about it.

Did ALL OF zimbabwes bowlers grow into champions overnight?


Did jarvis eco rate go from 6 to 2 naturally.

Not in one innings, but two.

Do you really think zims batting would allow themselves to be skitlled so easi......oh hang on wait....nevermind.

[andybligz93]

mawayo fails again , yes evry one else failed but surely its time to try someone else. im very pleased with meth having taken 4 wickets for the match bowling very tidy and also being one of our top scores with 19 not out including a six he couldnt do more to push for his test birth. as to you flower power im not having a go im just saying its not hard to figure iit out that mawayo simply is not good enough.

[FlowerPower]

mawayo fails again , yes evry one else failed but surely its time to try someone else. im very pleased with meth having taken 4 wickets for the match bowling very tidy and also being one of our top scores with 19 not out including a six he couldnt do more to push for his test birth. as to you flower power im not having a go im just saying its not hard to figure iit out that mawayo simply is not good enough.

No argument from me...any ideas whom to try in the absence of Ballance and Duffin?

[andybligz93]

i think taylor is a better option ,DUFFIN, marillier, vusi, chibabaha, masakadza,any one of them i have more faith in. i would seriosuly even prefer greg lamb i know it sounds rubish but i do not rate mawayo one bit . it would be lovely to have ballance he would take the slot in a heartbeat, sadly we dont have the luxury. i was a massive fan of the gritty trevor gripper but hes 35 now but i still feel he would go perfect with sibanda.who would you have as ur openers for thursday ??

[jimbo]

What exactly is wrong with duffin in terms of injury? He has been out for a long time, Definetly him at the top order with sibanda

[FlowerPower]

i think taylor is a better option ,DUFFIN, marillier, vusi, chibabaha, masakadza,any one of them i have more faith in. i would seriosuly even prefer greg lamb i know it sounds rubish but i do not rate mawayo one bit . it would be lovely to have ballance he would take the slot in a heartbeat, sadly we dont have the luxury. i was a massive fan of the gritty trevor gripper but hes 35 now but i still feel he would go perfect with sibanda.who would you have as ur openers for thursday ??

Is Trevor still playing?...anyways I digress, I'm not sure really who I would have there, because I am almost 80% sure save for the two spots occupied by Mawoyo and Craig. Moving either of Taylor or Hami up the order would still leave us with two spots to fill in middle order...

Current setup
1. Mawoyo?
2. Sibanda
3. Masakadza
4. Taylor
5. Taibu
6. Ervine?
7. Chigumbura
8. Meth (Creamer/Utseya)
9. Price
10. Vitori
11. Mpofu

That is what I think is (will be) the current team with question marks on Mawoyo and Ervine. Meth for me in the absence of Creamer is a definite. Prosper will have to be a long term replacement for Price, we cannot afford the luxury of all 3 of Creamer, Price and Utseya. When Creamer comes back, I dont know if we should drop a seamer for him, as Chigumbura seeems to be recovering from his slump (and hence could be the 3rd seamer)...thoughts

[FlowerPower]

i think taylor is a better option ,DUFFIN, marillier, vusi, chibabaha, masakadza,any one of them i have more faith in. i would seriosuly even prefer greg lamb i know it sounds rubish but i do not rate mawayo one bit . it would be lovely to have ballance he would take the slot in a heartbeat, sadly we dont have the luxury. i was a massive fan of the gritty trevor gripper but hes 35 now but i still feel he would go perfect with sibanda.who would you have as ur openers for thursday ??

Is Trevor still playing?...anyways I digress, I'm not sure really who I would have there, because I am almost 80% sure save for the two spots occupied by Mawoyo and Craig. Moving either of Taylor or Hami up the order would still leave us with two spots to fill in middle order...

Current setup
1. Mawoyo?
2. Sibanda
3. Masakadza
4. Taylor
5. Taibu
6. Ervine?
7. Chigumbura
8. Meth (Creamer/Utseya)
9. Price
10. Vitori
11. Mpofu

That is what I think is (will be) the current team with question marks on Mawoyo and Ervine. Meth for me in the absence of Creamer is a definite. Prosper will have to be a long term replacement for Price, we cannot afford the luxury of all 3 of Creamer, Price and Utseya. When Creamer comes back, I dont know if we should drop a quickie for him, as Chigumbura seeems to be recovering from his slump (and hence could be the 3rd quickie)...thoughts

[foreignfield]

i think taylor is a better option ,DUFFIN, marillier, vusi, chibabaha, masakadza,any one of them i have more faith in. i would seriosuly even prefer greg lamb i know it sounds rubish but i do not rate mawayo one bit . it would be lovely to have ballance he would take the slot in a heartbeat, sadly we dont have the luxury. i was a massive fan of the gritty trevor gripper but hes 35 now but i still feel he would go perfect with sibanda.who would you have as ur openers for thursday ??

The desperation is growing, but we only have to look at one spot, because Vusi will open anyway, as much is settled.

Now, Mawoyo should definitely be out of the race after his failures. Duffin is injured (or has he recovered) so not an option.
Stephan Marrilier is not part of the training squad (is he even in the country?). Masakadza is set against opening, so we should keep him at 3 where he's comfortable. That said, the only thing which is working in our batting is the 3-4 combo of Hamilton and Taylor - don't fix etc. ... (add to that the weight of captaincy). So for me Taylor to stay at 4.

Now we get to the point of makeshift openers, as there are no other openers from the domestic scene that have done anything. Chibabaha has at least opened in first class cricket before, but with moderate success. Nothing I've seen convinces me that there's test opener lurking inside, so that's another no. Then there is Raza, similar story to Chibabha, bats in the middle order in first class cricket. I would certainly be "something completely different", we never had a biffer at the top of the order. Maybe worth a gamble, times are desperate.

The only other option could be Mutizwa. Bats at first drop for Mashonaland, so opening should not overly worry him.

My gut feeling is, whoever of the two gets runs today will open on thursday. They've just come together at the crease, Raza 31 off 64, Forster just off the mark.