Zimbabwe vs Ireland | Only Test | 25-29 July 2024

[Xlife]

Couple of wickets at least! Need a few more. I'm not watching the match but looks like some disciplined bowling by Chivanga.

He's been very wayward unfortunately. The few he's managed to get on target have caused problems though

[secretzimbo]

Picked it like a blocked nose!
I’m happy for him though. If memory serves he wasn’t desparate to leave. ZC needs ongoing reminders on the importance of talent retention and treating players well.

Well he seemed to think he had a god given right to selection despite being in pretty awful form for quite a while and struggling to score a run domestically. He didn’t take well to getting dropped. He also has significant personal beef with Masakadza I believe, over the years. So with Hammy running the show as DoC I suppose Ireland seemed a better option.

It’s taken him quite a while to do anything Ireland but I am really pleased for him.
Still, I hope we get him out soon

You are not so fond of him either over the years

I was a bit salty over him abandoning the country he claimed to be such a patriot for at the time. I don’t think he’s as great of a player as he seemed to think.

He’s very decent though and he’s not a bad guy. Time heals Good luck to him!

[Googly]

I firmly believe that we're in almost the unique position of not always being able to reward people in good domestic form with a national call-up, simply because they don't quite have what it takes at the higher level.
They know this, but apply it loosely. Ervine and Williams and a number of others get picked ad nauseum regardless of loss of form, whilst they reserve a few places to experiment with. There are two sets of rules in play.
It's the old adage of form being temporary and class being permanent.

For sure PJ had a diabolical run of poor form, but he can play! His run of poor form coincided with a head on collision with Masakadza, there can only be one winner there.
All things being equal Clive is his direct replacement.
I've watched enough of both of them to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Moor is a significantly better player. Significantly better, no contest whatsoever.

[Googly]

When Hamilton was appointed to his new post from player PJ rightfully knew he was done for, over, finished, kaput.

[secretzimbo]

Speaking of wicket keepers, I miss Regis. He improved so much in his final year or two and was starting to finally come good. Absolutely quality guy as well, have met him a few times some years ago - one of the nicest guys in the sport. Hope everything is going well for him and his family in Australia.

[sam_ahm]

I would like to see 5 quick wickets falling right at the start of the second session. May be in first 30 mins.

[Googly]

I also used to watch him put in countless hours of practice.
As a reminder-
He was practically a schoolboy prodigy. I mean really unbelievable. Then got found out to be a front footer and not good at the short quick stuff.
Then Mangongo's fix was to get the seamers to bowl him throat high deliveries for hour after hour in really shit nets. A method guaranteed to fail and guaranteed to put any person alive off for life. They ended up having a head on, and that was when PJ was a youngster, so they're not big friends either.

Most established batters won't even accept short deliveries in a shit net from a fast and nasty, they'll just walk out, and the coach won't usually allow it either.

[sam_ahm]

Don't mind this delay. Anything that breaks their momentum. Also perhaps it will mean some moisture in the wicket

[secretzimbo]

First ball!!!

[secretzimbo]

Has Stirling been taking diet tips from Prince Masvaure?