Your best batsmen come in at four and five after the shine has gone off the new ball, to protect them. So presumably your openers are there chiefly to slog on as long as possible, then the artists -- Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, and Andy Flower -- cash in.ZIMDOGGY wrote:could somebody with a batsmans brain pleae tell me why the best batters are usually 3 and 4?
wouldnt ou have them 1 and 2 to see out the ball when its at its most dangerous, swinging around and quick?
unless of course your a trevor gripper or greg lamb type who can just wear the shine of the ball......
hey ...greg lamb at opener..... theres an idea.
Everybody is vulnerable against the new ball, so it makes sense to use your best to your advantage. Of course it helps if your best batsman can play the new ball superbly, such as Ricky Ponting of Australia, which is why he comes in at 3.
I think Tatenda Taibu is grossly overrated as a batsman in the Zimbabwean team as they are at least three batsmen better, namely Taylor, Masakadza, Sean Williams...
He has a solid technique, yes, but his temperament is his greatest asset. He would make a superb number six batsman, maybe five, as we have many talented players from number one to five.
I would bat at Hammy at three. I get the feeling Taylor struggles against quality fast fowlers on seaming surfaces; he could be so much better used in the middle order, preferably at five.
So I think: 1. Hammy can still open (your most reliable and assured)
2. Vusi Sibanda (can he replicate domestic form into international cricket?)
3. Sean Williams (because he is so dynamic and adaptable)
4. Sean Ervine (your best batsman)
5. Brendan Taylor (class; we want more substance)
6. Tatenda Taibu (the person most likely to stall collapses, consolidate and rebuild)
7. Elton Chigumbura (to press on; it’s a good sign to have a player of his calibre batting at
seven
. He shouldn't have a set position, he should come in when two quick wickets have gone down 
