Match Thread: Only Test Zimbabwe v Ireland (6th -10th February 2025)

[zimfan1]

Bennett and Wes did well there. Not the worse morning session in the end.

[zimfan1]

We will lose this match for three reasons

1) The 3rd and 4th pacers not being able to back up the good work from Richie and Blessing
2) Failing to make the most of a good batting deck on day 2
3) Picking four number 11s and a keeper to bat at 7 who is an 8 at best

[sam_ahm]

How is the forecast? On Google it doesn't look good and I won't mind that at all.

Even if Zimbabwe put up a fight, I can't see them winning from here. Won't mind plenty of rain which opens up the option of a draw.

[zimfan1]

Lack of interest in this game. 1st test against Afghan had over 500 posts.

[sam_ahm]

This match is typical zim.

Start very strong, take the foot off the gas, let the opposition back in.
Look like we are going to crumble, fight back to get into a position of par at least.
Opposition look like they are going to get away. Pull it back.
Possibility to win. Throw it all away.

Why are we also so reliant on 3 or 4 players per match. There really is an issue with our players in terms of working as a unit, and some of our players pulling their weight.

Lol, yes. Exactly how most of Zimbabwe games against nations that are at par with them pan out.

[sam_ahm]

Lack of interest in this game. 1st test against Afghan had over 500 posts.

Yup! Perhaps because Zimbabwe aren't giving any reason to be excited about their games. Very little interest seen here.

Personally I'm staying very busy due to work and unable to post much on the forum.

[CholeZimbo]

Also Google and SZ are not around. The “Big 2”

[Jemisi]

Lack of interest in this game. 1st test against Afghan had over 500 posts.

We were batting for a good long time and things looked rosy for a while there, but yeah

[mnelson68]

We will lose this match for three reasons

1) The 3rd and 4th pacers not being able to back up the good work from Richie and Blessing
2) Failing to make the most of a good batting deck on day 2
3) Picking four number 11s and a keeper to bat at 7 who is an 8 at best

100% correct

[Googly]

I'm curious about Campbell's captaincy. They spew endless hatred for Alistair and then he presents the cap and Jonno captains?
Does it get weirder? No it doesn't.
Welch couldn't captain because he'd bribed Mangongo to captain Mountaineers so the only thing they could have said is he'd also bribed Sammonds, but the Campbells have theoretically bribed everybody? Mangongo must be a cheap bribe because Welch is broke. Then he'd have to have gone back to captain Mountaineers and upset the Masakadza dynasty.

NW knows how to win games! That was a mistake.

That first morning I guarantee he'd have got Richie bowling short and we'd have done them on that wicket.
They watched Blessing have the spell of his life bowling short and Ngarava was pitching it up hoping for swing?
I mean FFS copy whats working at the other end!!! He'd have picked up 2 wickets banging it in and we'd have been into their tail before they could put up two fifty run partnerships.

Then hoping Nyamhuri and Gwandu would come right when they were going at 8 an over was not great. Campbell was reluctant to bowl himself, but ended up bowling very well, and I dont think Wes could bowl because he'd just hitch hiked from Harare and only arrived after lunch. Does it get more ridiculous? If your two back up seamers are bowling a pile you gotta stand at mid off and tell them what you want every ball if necessary, and if you have to do that you've picked the two wrong guys. Masekesa should have been in that squad. Hindsight is easy, but he should have replaced Nyamhuri because Gwandu and Blessing saved us from destruction.
Nyamhuri got a decent ball to dismiss him, but he's got hard hands, he could have done better with that delivery.
We've got Evans who would have been a better option.

Mayavo may be our best keeper, although he was untidy this time around but I just don't think he's a good enough bat at this level.
We'd have been better off with Joylord keeping because he's almost as good a keeper and technically a better batsman.
Or we could have had Maru there, whom I'll always rate or even Matt Welch, but he's been sacked from keeping to make way for Spencer Magodo, who isn't even in the same department store. What a fucked up situation.

Our openers looked really solid and then just inexplicably went out. Welch got a damned good ball second innings and I'd say the game hinged on him batting long again. Well the rain may save us, and of course Bennett, Madhevere and Campbell may come to the party. I also think a decent second innings may have made them reconsider putting Welch in the white ball squads, where he belongs.

Campbell's dismissal was a just a brain fade. Smacked it straight out the middle straight to cover or point?