[Match Thread] 4th ODI: SL vs ZIM

[The Robot]

If this team gets Brendan Taylor, Brian Vitori and probably one allrounder, then they are surely qualifying for the ICC World Cup 2019 in UK

[eugene]

Another great win for Zimbabwe. This tour has been a real surprise, we have never won anything in SL before. Perhaps the WCQ should be held in SL now?

[pariah]

I will admit after the Afghanistan defeat and the drawn series with Scotland I was a little concerned for Heath streak
I mean muhkulhini or however it's pronounced has sacked whatmore for less

Indeed, and rightfully so. If Sri lanka had blanked Zimbabwe in the ODI series, then fo course Streak was gone, and he knew it. So was Cremer because let's face it he's been thoroughly hopeless in spinner conditions.

Thankfully he boys have done well. Mire in the 1st ODI, Hami in the 3rd ODI(with Musakanda able support), and in thise game those same 3 players got Zimbabwe off to a cracking start they were already way ahead when Musakanda fell.

It's perhaps symbolic that it was Craig Ervine who stepped up in this game. He represents the "favourites" who in the scheme of things have really been underwheming, as was he until this match.

I still feel Mire must bat lower not open, and Malcolm Waller must just get the gloves(fear he might be called for chucking) with Moor going back to ZImbabwe.

2-2 so crunchtime for the decider. I'll stick my neck out and say Williams might not turn up with both bat and ball as usual. Today was also a huge match with Zimbabwe struggling to stay in the Series and Williams truly lived up to his reputation. ZImbabwe are about to clinch a series, away WITH 10 MEN!

Sri Lanka are under severe pressure so if Zimbabwe are a little bit carefree they are looking like favourites to take it. Matthews will blame himself because this is a win toss and chase Series no matter the pitch conditions. So hopefully Cremer wins the toss and opts to chase.

NB: Why hasn't Hami bowled? If Zimbabwe want an answer to getting the openers out early then Mr golden arm is it!

[pariah]

If this team gets Brendan Taylor, Brian Vitori and probably one allrounder, then they are surely qualifying for the ICC World Cup 2019 in UK

Taylor did ok for Notts in their One Day competition so he won't get the sack as he feared. Which means he'll stay there. Even if he were to come, the only thing he misses in County cricket is FC matches, and Zimbabwe are not getting any Tests. Vitori needs to go and coach the under 19s like Utseya. Same reason I didn't want Glenn Querl in Zim's domestic competition is the same reason I don't want Vitori there - it encourages cheating. If illegal players' presence is justified simply because they can test the weak competitioin more because they have pace then what's to prevent more chuckers demanding contracts for the same reason?

Zimbabwe have Madziva. Not that fast but ok, and he keeps it reasonably tight while striking. Of the options who has a better record for seamers right now than he does? He should be in that XI, as should Chisoro.

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

Chase reduced to 31 overs; Zimbabwe will chase 80 runs off 60 balls. Essentially a T20 match now. Unfortunately you have the worst player you could have wished for at the crease: an out of form Craig Ervine. Hope he proves me wrong.

Yes, the player of the match proved you wrong

[Kriterion_BD]

This is pretty impressive stuff. 2 wins overseas from a team that rarely wins even 1 game at home is impressive no matter how you view it.

If Taylor comes back, there will be a pretty good batting lineup. Great to see Musakanda pulling up his socks.

[BugsBunny]

Great Win Zim and I had the privilege to watch it live on TV.

Few Highlights of the match worth mentioning
Solomon Mire's mighty Six of Malinga. That particular shot was pretty awesome and the moment he hit that, it sounded SIX. I still remember BRMT talking about Mire during the last World Cup.. " We have Chigumbura who is a good striker, but Mire can hit it a long long way...." Mire is the perfect ODI opening batsman Zim needed. Guess his strikes inspire Masakadza to get back to his form. Hope Mire's bowling can improve a bit more and then we have a 'Neil Johnson' in the mould.

Mpofu bowling bouncers. Sadly Zim doesn't seem to have an aggressive pace attack. The only bouncers bowled were by Mpofu and that was a little bit short and wide. Mpofu proved to be a good thinking bowler as he bowled a bouncer of his last ball of the over (48.6) which Angelo Mathews couldn't do anything and also denying him strike of the final over.
No yorkers from pace bowlers were seen. Perhaps they might be afraid to pitch it up due to fear of converting that to a full toes.

Malcolm Waller bowling his 10 overs. Waller's bowling kept the batsmen thinking as he brought variations in pace and length. His bowling was one of the turning point of the match as otherwise SL were on their way to a mammoth total. Waller has really improved Credit should be given to Cremer, who used his slow bowlers really well.

Craig Ervine, who came excellent on the day that was needed. Ervine proves to be the WALL for Zim.

Lastly the new find, Tarisai Musakanda, a fearless youngster who proved to be a good striker of the ball and keeps the scoreboard ticking.

ZIm badly needs improvement on the fielding. Catches win matches, but as the way it went, Chasers Win Matches.....

Good Luck Zim for the final ODI...

[eugene]

Chase reduced to 31 overs; Zimbabwe will chase 80 runs off 60 balls. Essentially a T20 match now. Unfortunately you have the worst player you could have wished for at the crease: an out of form Craig Ervine. Hope he proves me wrong.

Ervine proves you wrong once again. He is our premier batsman.

[ZIMDOGGY]

This is fantastic.
Something I haven't seen anyone mention or talk about thiugh, is how the rain affected the game.

Would we have still won without the disruption?

It looked to me the score was just cut fairly pro rata, which played into our hands with our deep batting lineup.

One thing I truly believe we have gotten right now is the balance of the squad.
The 8 bats (including batting all rounders) and three tail bowlers is the perfect balance and is giving our batsman the freedom to go harder at it, and we are already seeing them sidle order come good at various times.
It rely resembles the early 2000s.
This is the strongest I have seen Zimbabwean batting since those days and if that's in doubt, once BT comes back as people are predicting this will definitely be true.
It's amazing how luring lost talent, even just one (Mire) has turned our fortune around.

For the first time I am seeing modern aggro batting from our guys and I like it!

[jaybro]

I think we still need a third seam option but on these pitches the part time spinners are doing the job .....