Test Match Review (and marks out of 10)
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 10:16 pm
I have never watched as much of a Test match not involving Bangladesh as this one. It was a rivetting contest and one I expected Sri Lanka to run away with if not from day 1, then definitely by day 2. Full credit to Zimbabawe for fighting so hard, and possibly winning the game if the 3rd umpire had given Dickwella out.
Marks
Graeme Cremer - 8
Played like a true captain. Took a 9 fer and scored vital runs in both innings. He may be good enough to bat at #8 so that an additional specialist bowler can be picked. Two issues prevented him from getting a perfect 10: his sometimes defensive field settings, and his unwillingness to rotate his bowlers more efficiently in the 2nd innings. As many have suggested, Waller and Masakadza ought to have bowled at least a few overs, even if it wouldn't have changed the outcome of the game, it would have reflected the necessary dynamism of thought that Test cricket requires. But as is, he is very close to being considered a genuine all-rounder.
Craig Ervine - 7
Superb under pressure knock of 160 that really brought Zimbabwe into a position of competing after they were reduced to 70-4 on a benign surface batting first. Test matches really cannot be won by scoring 70s, or 80s, no matter how attractive they may be, and even small hundreds often will leve you short. Big hundreds beyond 125 and 150 are necessary and are the hallmark of a truly Test class batsman. Ervine is hands down the best batsman in the side now, and arguably better than Brenden Taylor himself!
Sikandar Raza - 7
Deserves the same grade as Ervine and I think he's cemented his place ahead of the rest of the pack as the second best batsman in the side across formats. His second innings century was critical in allowing Zimbabwe to post a defendable target. If he can work on his bowling a bit more, he may be a genuine all rounder in the years to come.
Malcolm Waller - 6
Contributed very important runs down the order, but the #8 needs to take bowling responsibility. However, he was only given 5 overs and that can't be counted against him. Really surprised people with his performance and makes him a very tough player to drop in the quest for an additional bowler.
Donald Tiripano - 5
His run scoring and crease occupying abilities are golden, but his main job is to take wickets and his lack of venom there was exposed by the fact that his captain never bothered to toss him the ball in an innings of 115 overs. This leaves his place in the side even more precarious than Waller's. Difficult to justify keeping, but also hard to drop him after the guts he's shown time and time again.
PJ Moor - 5
Did OK with the bat with scores fo 19 and a crucial 40. I didn't actually watch his batting so I can't comment too much and his marks are based purely on the number of runs he scored in the context of the game.
Sean Williams - 4
Scored only 44 runs in the match, and picked up 4 wickets though at considerable cost. Like Raza, he must take the responsibility to bowl a fair share of overs in tours of the subcontinent, but his primary job is to score runs. Needs to be more consistent.
Regis Chakabva - 4
Failed with the bat, but I feel he was forced to open and thus he gets a generous mark. Took a couple of excellent catches, but also dropped some he should have taken. I think the think tank needs to figure out who between Moor and Regis is more valuable and slot that player in their natural position and role.
Tarisai Musakanda - 4
Guys on debut should always be cut some slack. I do like what I see, despite his first class average and lack of centuries. His fielding was brilliant throughout the match. I think he could be a real gem as the future #3 or #4 batsman across formats. Needs to be persisted with now that he's been selected.
Hamilton Masakadza - 4
I debated giving him a 4 out of 10, but the seniormost guy should have scored more runs in the first innings. In the end I gave him a 4 because I think he is also batting out of position and being forced to open. Its not his fault the middle order is as croweded as it is. Took some excellent catches, but the big man has got to start scoring some runs.
Christopher Mpofu - 3
Didn't do anything of note, but in his favor, these pitches were terrible for seam bowlers. I don't think he has a place in the XI once Chatara and Mumba are fit.
Overall Analysis
All in all this was a very solid performance from Zimbabwe. The win in the ODI series was fabulous and displayed a rare resilience. The multiple fight backs in the Test match were also hearteneing to see for someone who is a neutral. But there were some issues that need to be addressed in the near future keeping in mind the WI series is coming up.
1) Asides from Afghanistan, the West Indies and Sri Lanka are arguably the two sides closest to Zimbabwe in terms of ability across formats. The West Indies series therefore represents a golden opportunity to build on the successes of this series and push for a Test and possible even a series win. The Windies can't play spin and therefore making dustbowls and picking a spin heavy bowling attack is a must. The Windies pace attack is still decent with Gabriel, Joseph, Roach, and Holder so it must be a totally dry track with no grass whatsoever.
2) Do everything possible to fit Burl into the XI. His FC average indicates he knows how to bat big and that is necessary to win or draw Test matches in any condition. Since their resumption in 2011, Zimbabwe have a top score of just 412, and that remains their only score beyond 400. 350 or 375 will let you compete in Test matches, but unless the wicket is truly sporting, that usually won't be enough to win games in the modern era. To get 400+ run totals consistently, you need to have at least 3-4 batsmen contributing in a given innings. That has been the problem so far. Its always been a case of if Ervine scores, no one else does. When Willy gets stuck at the crease, everyone else seems to want to stay in the dressing room. I didn't think Raza had the temperment or the skillset, but I think he's shown a lot of improvement over the years. Hamilton and Willy have shown they can't be the elite batsman of the team, but are still good enough to have pretty guaranteed spots in the team. Fine. Run with that, and select the remaining 2-3 slots for batsmen to bat around Ervine and Raza. Musakanda deserves his spot due to his talent level. Moor possibly deserves another. Burl I think should also be in contention, possibly at the expense of Moor. If Taylor comes back soon, then you'd have a very strong Big 3 with Ervine and Raza.
3) The 8 batsmen theory almost worked here, but the way SL were going they'd have chased down another 50 runs or just batted out for a draw. In order to win, you need at least 3 strike bowlers. Cremer, Chatara, and Mumba are those bowlers for all conditions. You can pick a second specialist spinner or a third seamer as the conditions dictate. But 8 batsmen is overly defensive just like picking 5 bowlers would be. The 8th batsmen is unlikely to get the job done if the other 7 collectively cannot just like a 5th bowler is unlikely to win the match if the other 4 can't get the wickets. 7-4 is a balance that almost all teams should stick to.
Marks
Graeme Cremer - 8
Played like a true captain. Took a 9 fer and scored vital runs in both innings. He may be good enough to bat at #8 so that an additional specialist bowler can be picked. Two issues prevented him from getting a perfect 10: his sometimes defensive field settings, and his unwillingness to rotate his bowlers more efficiently in the 2nd innings. As many have suggested, Waller and Masakadza ought to have bowled at least a few overs, even if it wouldn't have changed the outcome of the game, it would have reflected the necessary dynamism of thought that Test cricket requires. But as is, he is very close to being considered a genuine all-rounder.
Craig Ervine - 7
Superb under pressure knock of 160 that really brought Zimbabwe into a position of competing after they were reduced to 70-4 on a benign surface batting first. Test matches really cannot be won by scoring 70s, or 80s, no matter how attractive they may be, and even small hundreds often will leve you short. Big hundreds beyond 125 and 150 are necessary and are the hallmark of a truly Test class batsman. Ervine is hands down the best batsman in the side now, and arguably better than Brenden Taylor himself!
Sikandar Raza - 7
Deserves the same grade as Ervine and I think he's cemented his place ahead of the rest of the pack as the second best batsman in the side across formats. His second innings century was critical in allowing Zimbabwe to post a defendable target. If he can work on his bowling a bit more, he may be a genuine all rounder in the years to come.
Malcolm Waller - 6
Contributed very important runs down the order, but the #8 needs to take bowling responsibility. However, he was only given 5 overs and that can't be counted against him. Really surprised people with his performance and makes him a very tough player to drop in the quest for an additional bowler.
Donald Tiripano - 5
His run scoring and crease occupying abilities are golden, but his main job is to take wickets and his lack of venom there was exposed by the fact that his captain never bothered to toss him the ball in an innings of 115 overs. This leaves his place in the side even more precarious than Waller's. Difficult to justify keeping, but also hard to drop him after the guts he's shown time and time again.
PJ Moor - 5
Did OK with the bat with scores fo 19 and a crucial 40. I didn't actually watch his batting so I can't comment too much and his marks are based purely on the number of runs he scored in the context of the game.
Sean Williams - 4
Scored only 44 runs in the match, and picked up 4 wickets though at considerable cost. Like Raza, he must take the responsibility to bowl a fair share of overs in tours of the subcontinent, but his primary job is to score runs. Needs to be more consistent.
Regis Chakabva - 4
Failed with the bat, but I feel he was forced to open and thus he gets a generous mark. Took a couple of excellent catches, but also dropped some he should have taken. I think the think tank needs to figure out who between Moor and Regis is more valuable and slot that player in their natural position and role.
Tarisai Musakanda - 4
Guys on debut should always be cut some slack. I do like what I see, despite his first class average and lack of centuries. His fielding was brilliant throughout the match. I think he could be a real gem as the future #3 or #4 batsman across formats. Needs to be persisted with now that he's been selected.
Hamilton Masakadza - 4
I debated giving him a 4 out of 10, but the seniormost guy should have scored more runs in the first innings. In the end I gave him a 4 because I think he is also batting out of position and being forced to open. Its not his fault the middle order is as croweded as it is. Took some excellent catches, but the big man has got to start scoring some runs.
Christopher Mpofu - 3
Didn't do anything of note, but in his favor, these pitches were terrible for seam bowlers. I don't think he has a place in the XI once Chatara and Mumba are fit.
Overall Analysis
All in all this was a very solid performance from Zimbabwe. The win in the ODI series was fabulous and displayed a rare resilience. The multiple fight backs in the Test match were also hearteneing to see for someone who is a neutral. But there were some issues that need to be addressed in the near future keeping in mind the WI series is coming up.
1) Asides from Afghanistan, the West Indies and Sri Lanka are arguably the two sides closest to Zimbabwe in terms of ability across formats. The West Indies series therefore represents a golden opportunity to build on the successes of this series and push for a Test and possible even a series win. The Windies can't play spin and therefore making dustbowls and picking a spin heavy bowling attack is a must. The Windies pace attack is still decent with Gabriel, Joseph, Roach, and Holder so it must be a totally dry track with no grass whatsoever.
2) Do everything possible to fit Burl into the XI. His FC average indicates he knows how to bat big and that is necessary to win or draw Test matches in any condition. Since their resumption in 2011, Zimbabwe have a top score of just 412, and that remains their only score beyond 400. 350 or 375 will let you compete in Test matches, but unless the wicket is truly sporting, that usually won't be enough to win games in the modern era. To get 400+ run totals consistently, you need to have at least 3-4 batsmen contributing in a given innings. That has been the problem so far. Its always been a case of if Ervine scores, no one else does. When Willy gets stuck at the crease, everyone else seems to want to stay in the dressing room. I didn't think Raza had the temperment or the skillset, but I think he's shown a lot of improvement over the years. Hamilton and Willy have shown they can't be the elite batsman of the team, but are still good enough to have pretty guaranteed spots in the team. Fine. Run with that, and select the remaining 2-3 slots for batsmen to bat around Ervine and Raza. Musakanda deserves his spot due to his talent level. Moor possibly deserves another. Burl I think should also be in contention, possibly at the expense of Moor. If Taylor comes back soon, then you'd have a very strong Big 3 with Ervine and Raza.
3) The 8 batsmen theory almost worked here, but the way SL were going they'd have chased down another 50 runs or just batted out for a draw. In order to win, you need at least 3 strike bowlers. Cremer, Chatara, and Mumba are those bowlers for all conditions. You can pick a second specialist spinner or a third seamer as the conditions dictate. But 8 batsmen is overly defensive just like picking 5 bowlers would be. The 8th batsmen is unlikely to get the job done if the other 7 collectively cannot just like a 5th bowler is unlikely to win the match if the other 4 can't get the wickets. 7-4 is a balance that almost all teams should stick to.