Do Zim batsmen overachieve on test debut and then taper off?

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CrimsonAvenger
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Do Zim batsmen overachieve on test debut and then taper off?

Post by CrimsonAvenger »

Out of the 15 guys who have scored 50+ on their test debut for Zim (isn't that a high number in general if we consider just a handful of batsmen who have ever played for us in tests?), 7 made good to decent progress and 7 others tapered off.

Half the Zimbo debut half-centurions could not do better on their later assignments. What does that tell us? Why did so many of them peak right at the beginning? Do they ride on the nervous energies of the debut to do their best, and once they achieved the ultimate (that is to represent their country at the highest level), do they lack further motivation? What explains this according to you?

Did well or decently even after the debut highs:
Houghton, Goodwin, A Flower, G Flower, Masakadza, Raza, Moor

Fell off after the debut highs:
A Waller, M Waller, Gripper, Rennie, Matsikenyeri, Duffin, Kasuza

Yet to figure out:
Kaitano

MGN
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Re: Do Zim batsmen overachieve on test debut and then taper off?

Post by MGN »

If that's the case then Madhevere has a bright future in test cricket.

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CrimsonAvenger
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Re: Do Zim batsmen overachieve on test debut and then taper off?

Post by CrimsonAvenger »

MGN wrote:
Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:48 am
If that's the case then Madhevere has a bright future in test cricket.
That doesn't mean all the debut non-performers did well later on, so, can't come to this conclusion too :)

Jemisi
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Re: Do Zim batsmen overachieve on test debut and then taper off?

Post by Jemisi »

Did Rennie get his highest score on debut or have I misunderstood?

cricket_22001
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Re: Do Zim batsmen overachieve on test debut and then taper off?

Post by cricket_22001 »

Gavin Rennie debuted against NZ at home & scored a 50 on debut but his highest score of 93 occurred in 2000/01 in a one off test in NZ.

A bit harsh on Andy Waller. He'd been on the international circuit for a decade & was 37 when handed a test debut.It was almost a thank you for services rendered. He tapered off in his 2nd & final test. Mind you, he scored his only FC century in a LC match just prior & came into the side as Wishart had a lousy tour of Pakistan leading up to this home series. Maybe he was on the rise & retired prematurely!

Jemisi
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Re: Do Zim batsmen overachieve on test debut and then taper off?

Post by Jemisi »

:lol:

I remember being so dirty when Rennie missed that hundred

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CrimsonAvenger
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Re: Do Zim batsmen overachieve on test debut and then taper off?

Post by CrimsonAvenger »

Yeah, I was a bit harsh on Andy Waller there. He goes into the Kaitano category. We never know what he could have done.

And Rennie's form post debut had continued a bit more for sure, but then he never recovered after a downturn in form. He did not have too many shots, but looked like he had the compact technique to succeed, but didn't.

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