Match thread: Zimbabwe vs Ireland (incl. Uganda tour match)

[brmtaylor.com admin]

If we bowl Ireland out for 100 or less, it will be Zimbabwe's largest ever ODI victory.

Previous best was a 202 run win over Kenya.

[maehara]

On an indignant side-note, I see Price doesn't feature in the current ICC Top 100 ODI Bowlers rankings. I'd like to know why.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

On an indignant side-note, I see Price doesn't feature in the current ICC Top 100 ODI Bowlers rankings. I'd like to know why.

Because statistically he isn't a very good ODI bowler. Good economy rate, but not a wicket taker. He averages 60 odd with a strike rate of something similar. Have a look at http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/eng ... e=allround - if he can get more wickets, I have no doubt he would be in the list. I'm sure if there was a T20I list he would be in the top 25.

[andy24]

This would of been a good game to watch, pity there was no stream.

[maehara]

Because statistically he isn't a very good ODI bowler. Good economy rate, but not a wicket taker.

This is one of those cases where the statistics are misleading. Yes, it's accepted that taking wickets is necessary in ODIs, but an economic bowler - especially at the rate that Price is managing at the moment - helps up the pressure on the batsmen at the crease, forcing them to take risks to keep the run-rate going. Those risks lead to wickets, and Price should be given credit for that even if he's not the one to get his name against them.

Rant over.

[andy24]

after the uganda match, i dont believe to many would of thought Zim would make 303 and have Ireland troubled this much, before the game

[maehara]

Oh yes - a win today puts Zimbabwe back above Ireland in the ODI rankings (Zim 10th on 19pts, Ireland 11th on 16).

[brmtaylor.com admin]

I can't wait for Price to play in some more First Class matches - preferably against some A sides. I think he and Graeme Cremer will be a handful for other sides in the longer version of the game.

Seeing the sort of turn Cremer got in Canada, compared to Utseya for instance, he will take a lot of wickets IMO. Especially outside edges.

If either Cremer or Price were Australian, they'd be in the squad in India. Let's see... Jason Krezja or Ray Price? Cameron White or Graeme Cremer? No-brainers.

As for the Uganda game, I don't think we should read in to it too much. Wasn't even a List A game, statistically it never happened.

[maehara]

statistically it never happened.

Fortunately! Didn't stop Cricket Europe putting the boot in, though - and they're usually quite restrained...

[maehara]

And another maiden for Price. 9-4-7-0.
Looks like Utseya's going to bowl Price and Maruma out before making any more changes.