Match Thread : Sri Lanka Tour Of Zimbabwe 2020 | 1st Test | Zimbabwe V/s Sri Lanka | Harare

[foreignfield]

247-5

That overly slow run rate is going to start becoming a problem now unless 6 sessions get rained off. You have to remember that the likes of Dickwella could power a chase of 150 off the final session of the match if it came down to it.

Howzat? Do you mean that it's more difficult for Dickwella if he has more time to knock off the runs?

260-5 at lunch, not a comfortable position but much better than getting bowled out by Tea on day one.

[Kriterion_BD]

Another wicket here and it means all that stalling on day one has only slowed the game down by a couple of overs

This comment actually makes no sense at all.

I think he meant to say it only slowed the game down and left room for SL to bat ZIM out if they go big at 3-3.5 an over.

[TapsC]

The problem is not the slow run rate by the guys who actually scored runs. Its the guys who didn't score much before they got out. Had you asked our captain would he have taken coming out at number 5 on day 2 with over 200 runs on the board and our best batsman still out there partnering him, he would have taken it. Nothing wrong with the slow start. It's the guys who failed to use the platform set.

This is test cricket. There are multiple approaches to it. We have to figure out what works for us because we are a special case.

[foreignfield]

The problem is not the slow run rate by the guys who actually scored runs. Its the guys who didn't score much before they got out. Had you asked our captain would he have taken coming out at number 5 on day 2 with over 200 runs on the board and our best batsman still out there partnering him, he would have taken it. Nothing wrong with the slow start. It's the guys who failed to use the platform set.

This is test cricket. There are multiple approaches to it. We have to figure out what works for us because we are a special case.

Word!

[Kriterion_BD]

Howzat? Do you mean that it's more difficult for Dickwella if he has more time to knock off the runs?

260-5 at lunch, not a comfortable position but much better than getting bowled out by Tea on day one.

Assuming some overs get lost due to rain, ZIM batting overly slowly so far can always backfire. I am usually not a proponent of defensive batting in the first innings or on Day 1-2 of a Test. So I disagree quite vehemently with the "I don't mind if they go at 2 an over as long as they don't lose wickets" mantra. Tests are 99% of the time drawn with a volume of runs, which take time to score as opposed to the other way around or as some people suggest, on the basis of time alone.

Suppose ZIM score 350 by batting 150 overs (2.33 rpo). If SL then bats for 150 overs and put on 500 (3.33 rpo), Zimbabwe has 100-150 overs to bat out for a draw, whilst facing a deficit of 150 runs, if it doesn't rain. If ZIM bats 100 overs at 3 an over (itself a tall ask for the 3rd innings), thats a lead of 150, with SL now having 30-50 overs to chase that down.

Its one thing to bat defensively in the 3rd or 4th innings attempting to draw a match, but its different to do so from day 1.

[jaybro]

Don't panic yet fellas, remember these are still the best batting conditions of the Test match, the longer Zimbabwe bat the better, 400 should be the target and that will be a good score. The slow outfield will keep Dickwella & co under control.

We just need a solid partnership here by Raza & Regis and Zimbabwe are still in good shape

[Donald]

Why do i think nyauchi might be a handful on this pitch. He can get a bit of swing and inward movement like the Sri Lanka quicks

[Kriterion_BD]

The problem is not the slow run rate by the guys who actually scored runs. Its the guys who didn't score much before they got out. Had you asked our captain would he have taken coming out at number 5 on day 2 with over 200 runs on the board and our best batsman still out there partnering him, he would have taken it. Nothing wrong with the slow start. It's the guys who failed to use the platform set.

This is test cricket. There are multiple approaches to it. We have to figure out what works for us because we are a special case.

I think being positive will get more results than being overly defensive. Its one thing if Mausvaure and Kasuza's natural game is to bat slowly (like Mawoyo and Chari), but I suspect its part of a team strategy.

Its also one thing for openers to see off the new ball and protect the middle order...but that should only take about 15-20 overs. So its OK to be 45-0 after 20 overs...but you have to cash in, unless the pitch is minefield. Similarly its great to "set a platform", but that shouldn't take 3-4 sessions, because by that time the pitch and overhead conditions could change markedly. In this case, Ervine got a decent score, but he was still part of that middle order wobble. Raza and Regis have a chance to stop the slide, but if they fall cheaply, then it could be a pretty big collapse. 208-2...you really should get 400 minimum, 450 ideally. ZIM run a serious risk of being out for under 350.

[foreignfield]

Howzat? Do you mean that it's more difficult for Dickwella if he has more time to knock off the runs?

260-5 at lunch, not a comfortable position but much better than getting bowled out by Tea on day one.

Assuming some overs get lost due to rain, ZIM batting overly slowly so far can always backfire. I am usually not a proponent of defensive batting in the first innings or on Day 1-2 of a Test. So I disagree quite vehemently with the "I don't mind if they go at 2 an over as long as they don't lose wickets" mantra. Tests are 99% of the time drawn with a volume of runs, which take time to score as opposed to the other way around or as some people suggest, on the basis of time alone.

Suppose ZIM score 350 by batting 150 overs (2.33 rpo). If SL then bats for 150 overs and put on 500 (3.33 rpo), Zimbabwe has 100-150 overs to bat out for a draw, whilst facing a deficit of 150 runs, if it doesn't rain. If ZIM bats 100 overs at 3 an over (itself a tall ask for the 3rd innings), thats a lead of 150, with SL now having 30-50 overs to chase that down.

Its one thing to bat defensively in the 3rd or 4th innings attempting to draw a match, but its different to do so from day 1.

Lots of ifs and whens, Kriterion. I don't think our openers played with a tactical defensive mindset. They played to their own abilities (remember we are talking about guys who average 30 in Zim domestic cricket), maybe a tad more cautious because they were on debut (and almost on debut in Prince's case) and with a super slowish outfield.

Remember the days in BD's early Test history when they always played aggressivly and were often all out after 50 overs?

[ZIMDOGGY]

Another wicket here and it means all that stalling on day one has only slowed the game down by a couple of overs

This comment actually makes no sense at all.

Yeah it does. Even kriterion said something very similar a few comments beforehand.

It’s all well and good to hold up time at the crease, but if the runs aren’t ticking, then you could bat two full days for 300, and all it would do if Sri Lanka do well in their innings is mean instead of needing 3.5 runs an over for victory, they need 4.1. Something easily done with an aggressive mindset. Hence, only slowing the game down by a few overs, not worth the defensive mindset.

To use an extreme example. Let’s say zim bag a full two days for 50 runs only. It would gain nothing as Sri Lanka would only need 4 overs to swing at it.