Zimbabwe v Netherlands | T20 WC 2022 | Super 12 | Match Thread

[Kriterion_BD]

Some massive over-reactions here.

Wheels came off today and had a shocker, but it happens sometimes, especially in T20.

We've massively outperformed expectations over the last six months. Getting to the Super 12's was our target, we did it easily. We also beat Pakistan and that was an epic moment.

Put things into perspective guys, it's been a better world cup for Zim than any of us expected.

Its been a decent tournament, from a neutral perspective. Getting to the Super 12 was a goal and it was achieved. Its a massive outperformance because there were doubts if the team would even qualify for the first round. But you would expect a full member nation to get to the Super 12 stage. So its really just being on par in terms of expectations.

As far as actual results go there were wins vs Ireland , Scotland (both decent sides), and Pakistan (a major side). But the loss against Netherlands (also a decent side) cancels the win against Pakistan. Its like making money on a deal, only to lose money on the next.

[Kriterion_BD]

Was interesting watching Raza bat today. He is struggling for form, was lucky twice before he got out. The one thing that's saving him so far is that he can clear the ropes when he connects. He basically hit his way out of trouble but he is still struggling. Our other guys besides Williams are also struggling but they can't hit their way out of trouble. T20s are for people who can clear the ropes and that will aways be my take. Once you lose form or you chew up deliveries then get out you look very very silly. I saw Pakistani fans complaining about their openers batting too slowy yet they are both in top 5 on the rankings I think. Strike rate is the key ingredient in this format.

Burl has also lowkey had a shocker of a World Cup because he is a 1 trick pony with the bat but that's a story for another day although I do feel after this world cup he should actually bat in the top 3. He just looks like the kind of guy who will hit form 1 day but he needs time in the middle

Raza has been stunning with his batting, bowling, and fielding. But his batting has looked very one-dimensional. I think 80% of his runs have been scored hooking and pulling back of a length balls. I think he's slowed down in the Super 12s simply because the bowling quality has gone up. He won't be fed that length as often.

[Googly]

He also pulls balls well that aren't quite there, which is a great ability, so again not quite accurate

[zimbos_05]

England lost to Ireland. Pakistan lost to us. Sri Lanka lost to Namibia. West Indies lost to Scotland. Etc etc.

It happens.

We've had an astonishingly good six months from the nadir we were in. I'm very proud of the team.

Never said I wasn't proud of the team, but on the form we had over the last 6 months, you would have expected to win these two games. The position we got into against Bangladesh too was that we should have won. The manner in which we lost to the Netherlands is definitely one to be upset about.

This game we just floundered from the first ball. That it is because of mistakes we are seeing over and over again too can cause some frustration.

Yes teams lose. It happens. But to lose and then kind of go, "eh, we did better than we expected", that's not the mentality. We expected to lose to the big teams and we got one scalp in Pakistan, but that does not mean loses to Bangladesh and Netherlands in the manner they have happened are acceptable.

[secretzimbo]

Ya it was disappointing to see the result today, sure. But I mean it's not the end of the world like some posts were reading as earlier.

The team is on an upwards trajectory. Worth remembering the state we were in six months ago. It's a miracle to be where we are now.

There's 5 weak links in the T20 side, which in a way is quite promising because theres an opportunity to improve there. Whether we have any replacements, thats a different question . But the good thing is we are still likely to automatically qualify for 2024 which gives us a couple of years to work that out.

I'm still overjoyed at how successful this world cup has been for us, despite the disappointing result this morning.

[Googly]

Who are your 5 weak links?

I'm not so sure about the upward trajectory..
Just take Raza out of the equation and there's a big reality check.
For me the upsides are the following-
Houghton has created a much better team environment because they were on the brink of imploding. Just this is a massive step in the right direction. Hopefully it ends any back biting, finger pointing, should prevent most bizarre selections, and his reputation goes a long way to giving us credibility. All Hail Dave! He also doubles as a batting coach, he really knows what he's doing, they don't seem to always listen. There's a fine line between batting with a clear head and being a lot smarter. I guess what Houghton brings qualifies as upward trajectory though.
The fact that Ratshit credits himself with injecting young blood speaks volumes about the dreadful hole ZC were buried in. Hopefully Dave keeps the dictators amenable to new ideas and good governance.
Our bowling has generally improved. Kirby may well prove to be a very useful addition, let's see. He's not a spin coach though. Do we need one? The reality is that leg spin bowling all by itself is a highly specialised art and needs specialised coaching. We had Brent as a bowling coach, but that's politics and another story.
All the top leggies have their coaching guru. We don't have such a guy. We don't have the resident guru or a front line leggie. We may see a resurgence of Mavuta though, I'm not convinced.
We've seen the belated arrival of Evans every third game who looks like he can hold his own at this level, and he has capacity to improve with both bat and ball and should become a worthwhile regular. He's currently playing musical chairs with Jongwe and Chatara and possibly Shumba in the future. I remain convinced he's getting a bum deal from somebody.
We've seen Madhevere also looks comfortable against extreme pace and doesn't seem fazed by the big stage, but remains disastrously inconsistent.
Williams remains capable of playing at the highest level.
The rest of the batting is just not enough to compete consistently with the good teams. We've played a lot of T20 of late and no-one else seems to be improving. They're in fact floundering in the run a ball, single figure area.
What needs to be done to break that ?

[secretzimbo]

Who are your 5 weak links?

Ervine & Chakabva - these two remain amongst our finest cricketers, but clearly this is a format they struggle with massively. Also both getting old, and Ervine's captaincy constantly underwhelms. Defintiely time for both of them to concentrate on the longer formats going forward, where they can really contribute.

Shumba - Exceptionally poor recent T20 record, it really does beggar belief that he is anywhere near the team. He's played 18 T20I's this calendar year averaging 13 with a SR of 95. Horrifically bad for a batter who doesn't bowl. He's a talented lad and I think red ball cricket will prove to be his best format, so I'm not writing him off - there's definitely potential. But in T20's?!?! No way.

Jongwe - In bad form, is getting fatter, and the sponsor scam is a very bad look. Needs time out of the side because he's become a passenger. Back him to return though.

Burl - Somehow gets a free pass on this forum and on social media - very curious. He's a total passenger though, who has offered basically nothing in this tournament. Ervine doesn't trust his bowling for whatever reason. Bats at 7 as supposedly our 'big hitting finisher' and yet has a SR of only 108 from 20 matches this calendar year. Either give him a go batting in the top 4 or drop him.

There's also the question of whether Williams continues in this format. He's just had a new baby and I'm not sure he'll continue with all three formats. If he has to drop one, then probably he will drop T20's.


Might as well give Marumani, Munyonga and Madande a go after this tournament, in this format only. Whether they succeed or not is anyones guess. I remain doubtful.

A batting coach remains crucial. Preferably someone like Kirby who is going to relocate permanently to Zim and work with the franchise squads, not just the national team.

[eugene]

Best case scenario I thought Zimbabwe would make the Super 12s and win one game - I guess we will achieve that goal. Wins over Bangladesh and the Netherlands were there for the taking so it ultimately feels like a disappointing tournament. As usual consistency is the missing ingredient - it has been missing for 20 years.

[Googly]

Just tormenting myself by watching the lowlights again.
No good can come from Chakabva's backlift.
He starts it on leg slip, it makes any straight bat shot extremely difficult to play consistently, especially pace. It's why his go-to shot on middle is to work it to leg.

[Googly]

Who are your 5 weak links?

Ervine & Chakabva - these two remain amongst our finest cricketers, but clearly this is a format they struggle with massively. Also both getting old, and Ervine's captaincy constantly underwhelms. Defintiely time for both of them to concentrate on the longer formats going forward, where they can really contribute.

Shumba - Exceptionally poor recent T20 record, it really does beggar belief that he is anywhere near the team. He's played 18 T20I's this calendar year averaging 13 with a SR of 95. Horrifically bad for a batter who doesn't bowl. He's a talented lad and I think red ball cricket will prove to be his best format, so I'm not writing him off - there's definitely potential. But in T20's?!?! No way.

Jongwe - In bad form, is getting fatter, and the sponsor scam is a very bad look. Needs time out of the side because he's become a passenger. Back him to return though.

Burl - Somehow gets a free pass on this forum and on social media - very curious. He's a total passenger though, who has offered basically nothing in this tournament. Ervine doesn't trust his bowling for whatever reason. Bats at 7 as supposedly our 'big hitting finisher' and yet has a SR of only 108 from 20 matches this calendar year. Either give him a go batting in the top 4 or drop him.

There's also the question of whether Williams continues in this format. He's just had a new baby and I'm not sure he'll continue with all three formats. If he has to drop one, then probably he will drop T20's.


Might as well give Marumani, Munyonga and Madande a go after this tournament, in this format only. Whether they succeed or not is anyones guess. I remain doubtful.

A batting coach remains crucial. Preferably someone like Kirby who is going to relocate permanently to Zim and work with the franchise squads, not just the national team.

Good points.

Don't older guys usually drop the longer formats?
We don't play enuf tests for him to consider that option surely?

Chakabva has had a shocker, poor guy. There's just no way he should be in T20 again, I have to agree. Threatens to deliver what we need but then ends badly.

Can't Houghton double as a batting coach?
A third non indigenous coach will initiate delirium tremens, I just don't see that happening.