Wishful Thinking

[maehara]

Hmm. According to a little pen, paper & calculator exercise I've just done (it's a slow day), if Zimbabwe were able to sweep both Kenya (should be possible on current form) and Bangladesh (somewhat tougher, but not impossible), then Zim and Bangladesh would be tied in the ODI rankings on 42 rating points each, with Bangladesh ahead only on the rounding. Oh, for just one extra point along the way, and our rightful 9th place would be in reach...!

Of course, the odds on Zimbabwe managing a 10-match ODI winning streak are probably not good. Any takers?

[CrimsonAvenger]

Of course, the odds on Zimbabwe managing a 10-match ODI winning streak are probably not good. Any takers?

Why not? If they can sneak in a 5 match series against WI on current form and composition, it can even get extended to 15...

[maehara]

Why not? If they can sneak in a 5 match series against WI on current form and composition, it can even get extended to 15...

I'd forgotten Windies were next in line. Must do some more sums...

Despite my general optimism this season, after the debacle a few months ago I'm not expecting anything better than 3-2 in Bangladesh - not really our conditions (and who gets the 3 is up for grabs!). Playing the current Windies side would be a different matter, though...

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

Why not? If they can sneak in a 5 match series against WI on current form and composition, it can even get extended to 15...

Surely. The windies are dwindling at 100/8 in champs trophy. Lets call them directly from SAF

[maehara]

Why not? If they can sneak in a 5 match series against WI on current form and composition, it can even get extended to 15...

..in which case, assuming WI don't win in the CT and we get a 5ODI series in March 2010, we get:

Code: Select all

                        Pl      Pts     Rt
8       West Indies     26      1573    61
9       Zimbabwe        35      1855    53
10      Bangladesh      28      1185    42

I could live with that.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Realistically, as you said, expected score lines would be:
5-0 against Kenya (no mercy here)
3-2 win against Bangla (can be achieved, with definite return of a more responsible looking Taibu)

If we play 5 match series against WI, I would be expecting a 4-1 win there, and a 2-1 loss in a 3 match series against SL. Hope we get these matches...

[tawac]

Realistically, as you said, expected score lines would be:
5-0 against Kenya (no mercy here)
3-2 win against Bangla (can be achieved, with definite return of a more responsible looking Taibu)

If we play 5 match series against WI, I would be expecting a 4-1 win there, and a 2-1 loss in a 3 match series against SL. Hope we get these matches...

Wishful Thinking for sure. But it looks achivable. If we get the momentum from the Kenyan series. Pull one over Bangalabash in their back yard. I think we could have a great shot against WI as well. We maybe just at par if not better than their current team. And if we put our act together. There aint no telling just how we may far against Sri Lanka (only two things here Muralidaran and Mendis). These two never made life easy the last time out. But there were times we got into really good positions. We just lacked that finishing touch.

[Detective RDS]

There aint no telling just how we may far against Sri Lanka (only two things here Muralidaran and Mendis). These two never made life easy the last time out. But there were times we got into really good positions. We just lacked that finishing touch.

Zimbabwe were to win certain matches that time round. The problem Zimbabwe had that time was the players didn't fire alltogether, there were just some pieces of individual performances. Finishing touch, as you mentioned. I watched that series and I think there was lack of experienced players in most of the portion (top/middle/lower middle order) of Zimbabwean batting lineup. But the good thing is that with the comeback of some former stars likes of Vermeulen, Taylor, Coventry in the Bangladesh series and some others recently in the franchise cricket who may find it difficult to get into the side, the Zimbabwean lineup will be more balanced and experienced this time. They can certainly put a good conflict against strong Sri Lankan side.