Match thread: 3rd ODI - Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Both teams are just going through the motions now. Really, Zimbabwe had no hope from the moment the coin landed. We just can't bat at the moment, let alone post a decent total to defend.

Mpofu is not performing. I guess that was a gamble that didn't pay off, obviously Mupariwa will walk straight back into the side in Kenya.

There were a few positives to take away from this series. We had 2 great wins, which is more than I expected to be honest. I thought there was a very real chance that Bangladesh would clean sweep us. The bowling on the whole has performed very well, and it looks a lot stronger with the re-emergence of Ed Rainsford. And of course Sean Williams has returned to form - this is so important, at least in Kenya we'll have one in-form batsman. Hopefully he will return to #3, besides Utseya he is the only person willing to stay at the crease and build an innings.

Something has to change at the top of the order. Sibanda is just plain out of form, while Masakadza seems to be throwing away his wicket after making a good start. They might get a shot in a few ODI's against Kenya, against weaker opponents maybe they will hit some form.

[andy24]

price bowling well. unlucky to b dropped

[CrimsonAvenger]

Cricinfo commentary said:

"Zimbabwe however has a lot of hard work to do, average bowling led by Ray Price and a very brittle batting line-up."

Which series were they watching? Do they even know what it means grammatically? Ridiculous. We are already in trouble because of our batting, and now they say such things about bowling, which I believe is nothing less than world class at the moment.

[maehara]

Bowling is leagues above average - if our batting was on the same level as our bowling, there wouldn't be any question about our Full Member status. Not on playing grounds, at any rate.

But the openers need to be taken out and taught how to bat again. They've been a complete embarrassment this series, and the situation can't be allowed to continue.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Cricinfo miss the mark on a lot of things, their Zimbabwean coverage is second to everyone. For example, they always talk about the "gentle legspin" of Hamilton Masakadza when he hasn't delivered anything other than medium pace for at least 3 years.

Our bowling has been very good this series, even the most critical fan would admit that. Admittedly, Chigumbura has at time been expensive and Mpofu's first few overs were pretty ordinary today, but Price, Utseya, Rainsford and Mupariwa have been right on the money for the whole series. Our batting is in disarray, nobody is denying that.

[aydee]

The batting is horrible ( I'm even slightly worried for the Kenya series now. They've got a few accurate spinners as well...

[CrimsonAvenger]

Does anyone know what is Ray Price's economy rate in, may be, last 15 matches or so? That might turn out to be at a world record breaking low.

he batting is horrible ( I'm even slightly worried for the Kenya series now. They've got a few accurate spinners as well...

Batting looks really scary. I feel it was much better even when the sudden exodus of rebels happened in 2004. Brendan Taylor stepped up and played excellent knocks against world champions Australia in that series, backed up by Chigumbura and Taibu.

Now, it looks like Williams is the only savior. Let us hope for the best...

[maehara]

Does anyone know what is Ray Price's economy rate in, may be, last 15 matches or so? That might turn out to be at a world record breaking low.

For the past 15 ODIs, 2.96 runs conceded per over, 16 wickets taken at 23.37/wicket. Against Bangladesh in that period it's even better (econ 2.36, 9wkts @ 9.55).

Full figures.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, ZC should be moving Heaven and earth to get Brendan Taylor back in the team. If he doesn't want to leave North Melbourne, throw money at him until he does. ZC at one stage that the door is open and that he can walk into the team... well ZC should be opening the door for him and luring him through it.

We at least know with Taylor opening the batting that we have a bloke capable of scoring quickly in the powerplay overs, but also sticking around to make a decent score.

Ray Price's economy in his last 15 ODI's is 2.96 (16 wickets @ 23.37). About it being a world record, if you send an email in to Ask Steven maybe he has the resources to give an answer. Then someone else will email a correction in a week later with the correct answer