[Match thread] Zimbabwe XI vs Bangladeshis (Tour match)

[FlowerPower]

My gut feeling is, whoever of the two gets runs today will open on thursday. They've just come together at the crease, Raza 31 off 64, Forster just off the mark.

Totally agree..and what is even better is that they are up against our worst nightmare, the twin slow left arm show of Shakib and Razzak...lets see how it goes...

[zimfan1]

My first choice would be to bat Taylor up front with slotting Malcom Waller in at number 6 as i think his off spin may be usefull on the 4th and 5th day of the test. But my feeling is that if Raza knocks up a 70 or 80 in this innings to take us home then he may be the wild card.

Meth Surley has to have the number 8 slot sorted as he showed yesterday that he can keep it tight and also be penatrive as well as scoring runs down the order as we have to have someone who can bat at number 8 as Bangladesh are likley to slot Mahmudullah in at 8 and he has a test average of over 30 including a 100 in New Zealand.

[jimbo]

Raza out for 39...Still better than mawayos batting this match

[andybligz93]

raza just gone for 39. a good knock considering the pitch is a few days in. flowerpower you are right in that there migght not be anyone at the moment to open so the selectors probaly will pick mawayo. but this is how i think the starting 11 will look

1.Sibanda
2.Masakadza
3.Taylor (c)
4.F.Mutizwa
5.C.Ervine
6.T.Taibu (wk)
7.E.Chigumbura
8.K.Meth
9.R.Price
10.D.Vitori
11.C.Mpofu

i get nervous looking at this lineup with no williams or a steady head at the top i think meth will be a real find and a workhorse who will trouble bangladesh.

[jimbo]

Mutizwa has got a good start, i hope this lad can push on and get a big score, Currently 28*

[takleg]

has mutizwa ever opened for the eagles before? i think he could open or bat at 3 on thursday.

[Boundary]

raza just gone for 39. a good knock considering the pitch is a few days in. flowerpower you are right in that there migght not be anyone at the moment to open so the selectors probaly will pick mawayo. but this is how i think the starting 11 will look

1.Sibanda
2.Masakadza
3.Taylor (c)
4.F.Mutizwa
5.C.Ervine
6.T.Taibu (wk)
7.E.Chigumbura
8.K.Meth
9.R.Price
10.D.Vitori
11.C.Mpofu

i get nervous looking at this lineup with no williams or a steady head at the top i think meth will be a real find and a workhorse who will trouble bangladesh.

I like this line up and I think it is the likely lineup. Mawoyo has failed for now, no point in beating that dead horse. Duffin, Williams and Balance are not available. And Mutizwa almost always grabs his chance. Having said that that I'd *gamble* and make him open: Mutizwa, Sibanda, Masakadza, Taylor. That 2, 3, 4, line seems to be our preferred one and so we only have to fill the opening slot.

[jimbo]

No no, I prefer Mutizwa at 4 or 5, he is naturally aggressive which might not also be a good thing against a shiny red new ball, Cue flying edges everywhere lol....Mind you sewag does it well so............

[jimbo]

Taibu out, Cmon Mutizwa,Ervine Waller and Meth, Take us home

[FlowerPower]

I can almost understand why the Bangladeshis have limited Razzak to ODIs...where are the Bangladesh supporters today?