[Match Thread] Zimbabwe v South Africa: Only Test

[CrimsonAvenger]

Let us look the worst case scenario. SA would have done a lot of soul searching of their two days effort so far and will come out all guns blazing. With Faf, de Kock, Duminy in particular and Philander, they have the ability to accelerate and put us to sword today. Let us say they add 300 more in about 75 overs today and give us last 12-13 overs to bat.

In this case, we'll have to score around 250 just to make them bat again. And their bowlers would be pumped up too. Day 4, an hour after lunch, we could capitulate. They might employ Dean Elgar once they know our weaknesses with left arm spin. None of the good work done till now will matter as all it says is innings defeat within 3 and a half days. But still, we would have made it to day 4 against all odds. This is fine with me too. But if we can just make them bat again and lose by less than 10 wickets, that would be pretty satisfying.

The longer SA bats, the better it is for us.

[Kriterion_BD]

Let us look the worst case scenario. SA would have done a lot of soul searching of their two days effort so far and will come out all guns blazing. With Faf, de Kock, Duminy in particular and Philander, they have the ability to accelerate and put us to sword today. Let us say they add 300 more in about 75 overs today and give us last 12-13 overs to bat.

In this case, we'll have to score around 250 just to make them bat again. And their bowlers would be pumped up too. Day 4, an hour after lunch, we could capitulate. They might employ Dean Elgar once they know our weaknesses with left arm spin. None of the good work done till now will matter as all it says is innings defeat within 3 and a half days. But still, we would have made it to day 4 against all odds. This is fine with me too. But if we can just make them bat again and lose by less than 10 wickets, that would be pretty satisfying.

The longer SA bats, the better it is for us.

If they were capable of scoring 300 at 4 an over against an attack this disciplined, they would have done it already.

[foreignfield]

Let us look the worst case scenario. SA would have done a lot of soul searching of their two days effort so far and will come out all guns blazing. With Faf, de Kock, Duminy in particular and Philander, they have the ability to accelerate and put us to sword today. Let us say they add 300 more in about 75 overs today and give us last 12-13 overs to bat.

In this case, we'll have to score around 250 just to make them bat again. And their bowlers would be pumped up too. Day 4, an hour after lunch, we could capitulate. They might employ Dean Elgar once they know our weaknesses with left arm spin. None of the good work done till now will matter as all it says is innings defeat within 3 and a half days. But still, we would have made it to day 4 against all odds. This is fine with me too. But if we can just make them bat again and lose by less than 10 wickets, that would be pretty satisfying.

The longer SA bats, the better it is for us.

If they were capable of scoring 300 at 4 an over against an attack this disciplined, they would have done it already.

I've thought about that possibility last night as well. It is definitely what SA would like to do in an ideal scenario, but I rather think they'll continue the steady accumulation until they are ahead, trying to accelerate post lunch. It then all comes down to how our bowlers respond to a possible onslaught ... I would very much like us to bowl SA out.

My prediction would be something like this:
Lunch: SA 280-5
Tea: SA 400-8
Close: SA 425 all out -- Zim 45-3

[CrimsonAvenger]

My prediction would be something like this:
Lunch: SA 280-5
Tea: SA 400-8
Close: SA 425 all out -- Zim 45-3

I hope one of those 3 wickets we lose would be a night watchman (Nyumbu / Tiripano) with Taylor to come in tomorrow

[SpitfiresKent]

Highlights currently being shown here: http://soccerembed.com/willow.php and i'd imagine now that the Sri Lanka/Pakistan match has finished they will stream the rest of the match, quality is a lot better than the previous links posted

[Jemisi]

I think that is a reasonable worst case Crimson. Innings defeat on Day 4. Obviously not good but a much better worst case scenario than what we started the test with - Innings defeat on Day 2.

We are all pretty much (BD stalwart allies notwithstanding ) expecting a poor second innings batting effort. The pitch is deteriorating. We have fought hard for 180 overs to be in the match - quality is likely to overwhelm us.

I have started to think that we actually may have a better chance of victory than a draw.

If we can bowl them out for 300ish - 6/100 on this pitch not out of the realms of possibility - then manage 220 in the third innings. We would have a show if the pitch plays further tricks.

[clikcspeed]

I think that is a reasonable worst case Crimson. Innings defeat on Day 4. Obviously not good but a much better worst case scenario than what we started the test with - Innings defeat on Day 2.

We are all pretty much (BD stalwart allies notwithstanding ) expecting a poor second innings batting effort. The pitch is deteriorating. We have fought hard for 180 overs to be in the match - quality is likely to overwhelm us.

I have started to think that we actually may have a better chance of victory than a draw.

If we can bowl them out for 300ish - 6/100 on this pitch not out of the realms of possibility - then manage 220 in the third innings. We would have a show if the pitch plays further tricks.

Good scenarios.

I agree, winning the match is a more likely result than a draw. Its important to maintain the intensity that has kept us in the game the last 2 days (hard work doesn't count if it doesn't show in the end). Skittle them out for 330 in the afternoon session, set them a target over 200 by tomorrow post lunch as well. Vusi and Chakabva have to show up in the 2nd innings.

[jaybro]

At this point Panyangara and Chatara have both bowled 17 overs each for 18 runs each !!! Thats great control …..

[Jemisi]

nice tight start

[jaybro]

Negative tactics here clearly pushing for the draw, pretty smart though if we draw this match we draw a series with South Africa