[Match Thread] Zimbabwe v Bangladesh - 1st ODI

[maehara]

Here we go - a series we should be hoping to win, and if the side that played in the 2nd warm-up match turns up, we should be off to a flyer. But that 1st warm-up match creates a little bit of worry...

[Detective RDS]

Well guys... Prothom Alo, a daily newspaper of Bangladesh reports that Mark Vermeulen can be out of the first 2 ODI's due to his injury, he hasn't recovered completely. Charles Coventry also expressed his disappointment for not getting enough runs after starting well...

It looks like Brendan Taylor will open the innings tomorrow alongside Hamilton Masakadza. I guess, Justice Chibhabha has also secured a place for himself in the starting XI for the 1st ODI.

So, here's my lineup for the 1st ODI:

1. Hamilton Masakadza
2. Brendan Taylor
3. Justice Chibhabha
4. Tatenda Taibu (WK)
5. Charles Coventry
6. Stuart Matsikenyeri
7. Elton Chigumbura
8. Prosper Utseya (C)
9. Graeme Cremer
10. Raymond Price
11. Christopher Mpofu

I think there will a place (5/6) which will be decided among Coventry, Waller or Mutizwa. I would like to stick with Charles Coventry although he is short of runs lately. But we all know that he is an excellent aggressive potential batsman and not so long he equalled Saeed Anwar's world record of 194*. Zimbabwe will definitely need him in their future planning especially against South Africa in the pacy, bouncy pitch where his hitting can be very effective.

[tawac]

I'm beginning to get worried about Chigumbura, there maybe more to his story. When he got that stress fracture a couple of seasons back he stopped bowling and when he resumed he had lost most of his pace. This would put a heavy dent on our bowling attack which has been lacking of late. I would pretty much go with RDS's team but I think Coventry has been given enough chances he really needs to work on his game if he is going to keep his place. Especially when you have the likes of Vusi Sibanda who has been on top of his game sitting in the wings.

[kartik]

The third bilateral series between the two teams this year in 2009 illustrates just how the game is suffering from overkill, with ODIs being the preferred format. That won't matter much to Bangladesh - with three series wins on the trot, they are ready for five more ODIs at home to Zimbabwe - whom they have beaten in six of their nine ODIs this year.

Though that makes poor reading for the visitors, the recent return of former players to key coaching and administrative roles, a restructured domestic format and the prospect of increased international commitments - they have an ODI series against South Africa next month - bodes well. Former captain Robin Brown was recently appointed coach and Heath Streak has joined his support staff. Alastair Campbell too, has come out of the cold and has been appointed chairman of selectors. Their ultimate goal is to get Zimbabwe playing Tests again, and continued success in ODIs is certainly a step in the right direction.

The signs were evident in their 4-1 walloping of Kenya, but it will need a bigger step-up when they take on opposition against whom they have won just four of their previous 20 matches. Captain Prosper Utseya will look to avoid a repeat of the last tour when they got off to a winning start but ended up on the losing side. He hopes for an improved showing this time around, not just from the batsmen who will bank on their experience of playing the Bangladesh spinners but also the bowlers who would have benefitted from Streak's presence.

Watch out for:

Picked in the ICC Test Team of the Year as well as being named international player of the year by Wisden Cricketer Magazine, Shakib Al Hasan, has been one of the consistent performers for Bangladesh in ODIs as well. He was handed the captaincy in the West Indies after Mashrafe Mortaza's injury and, in the latter's prolonged absence, has retained it for this series. It has not appeared to be a burden for him - his bowling has remained impressive and he seems to have improved his batting.

The Bangladesh spinners proved to be the difference in the series in August and they would be even more of a threat in home conditions. Zimbabwe's batsmen will need all the experience they have picked up in recent encounters to tackle the slow bowlers led by Abdur Razzaq, who returns after a hamstring injury.

Brendan Taylor, who missed out during Zimbabwe's last trip to Bangladesh, has been in top form for Zimbabwe. Having finished the third-highest scorer in the series in Zimbabwe with 193 from five matches at 38.60, he announced himself in Bangladesh with a superb 139 in the last tour game against the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI.

All eyes will be on former captain Tatenda Taibu, who will look to put behind him all the off-the-field troubles that kept him away from international cricket albeit for a brief period. Taibu and Zimbabwe have another opportunity, and what better way to turn the corner than being up against a familiar foe.

[aydee]

I'm beginning to get worried about Chigumbura, there maybe more to his story. When he got that stress fracture a couple of seasons back he stopped bowling and when he resumed he had lost most of his pace. This would put a heavy dent on our bowling attack which has been lacking of late. I would pretty much go with RDS's team but I think Coventry has been given enough chances he really needs to work on his game if he is going to keep his place. Especially when you have the likes of Vusi Sibanda who has been on top of his game sitting in the wings.

Agreed, he missed 2 games against Kenya, and hasn't bowled since. His bowlign is crucial to the balance of the side, not to mention that, when in form, he is the most experienced and probably the best seamer available.

[sloandog]

Does nobody feel that Jarvis should be in the starting line up for tomorrws ODI ?? After all he is our only natural quick bowler in the squad. I'd choose him over Mpofu, just to give him a bit more of a feel to international cricket.

[zimfan1]

Does nobody feel that Jarvis should be in the starting line up for tomorrws ODI ?? After all he is our only natural quick bowler in the squad. I'd choose him over Mpofu, just to give him a bit more of a feel to international cricket.

It has to be Jarvis for me, Bangladesh have not seen him before and we all know that Streak and Campbell who have a big say in selection on tour will want to get him in there.

[sloandog]

Totally agree

[eugene]

Kyle Jarvis should play. There is no point packing our team with spinners. Bangladesh have no trouble playing spin. It makes more sense to attack them with pace. I would like to see the following team (assuming Chigumbura is in good health);

1. Hamilton Masakadza
2. Brendan Taylor
3. Charles Coventry
4. Tatenda Taibu
5. Stuart Matsikenyeri
6. Forster Mutizwa
7. Elton Chigumbura
8. Prosper Utseya
9. Ray Price
10. Kyle Jarvis
11. Christopher Mpofu

[K0nvict08]

Letz go Zimbabwe show em wat we made of....

Proud to be a Zimbo!!!