[Match Thread] Zimbabwe v Afghanistan, 4th ODI

[foreignfield]

Veremeulen might be a dark horse as far as Test openers go too. He's done it before.
If he gets selected for the four-dayers and happens to go okay, his stocks would rise pretty fast I think.

With Vusi struggling, Mawoyo out with injury, Hami unwilling to open, Raza unsuited, there's definitely an opening there ... on the other hand, you would hope SA leave Morkle and Steyn at home, otherwise it could result in a different sort of opening ...

[foreignfield]

Any stats gurus out there know who the last Zimbabwean to score an ODI fifty on debut was?
I think Raza and Waller both got Test fifties on debut, not sure who has in ODIs though.

As always Andy Flower leads the way.

A Flower 115*, 1992
MH Dekker 79, 1992
DAG Fletcher 69, 1983
CR Ervine 67, 2010
R Mutumbami 63*, 2014
V Sibanda 58, 2003
T Duffin 53, 2006
GJ Crocker 50, 1992

[lobsang]

Maruma trapped in front!!!!! oh no, as things started get better.....

[brmtaylor.com admin]

You reckon SA would play an understrength Test team?
True we've played terribly against Afghanistan and in this form SA could send their rugby team and still win comfortably, but as far as Tests go we did draw our last series against Pakistan. We are a better Test team than a limited overs team and we are capable of winning Test matches.

On the one hand I'd love for SA to rest some big guns; no matter who they pick they'll give the Zimbabweans a lot of problems - but it does make the chances of an upset slightly higher. On the other hand, I'd love to see Taylor and Masakadza and co take on the best of the best. If any of our guys had a personal achievement against a full strength SA it would be one for the ages.

A Flower 115*, 1992
MH Dekker 79, 1992
DAG Fletcher 69, 1983
CR Ervine 67, 2010
R Mutumbami 63*, 2014
V Sibanda 58, 2003
T Duffin 53, 2006
GJ Crocker 50, 1992

Thanks foreignfield. Ervine and Fletcher definitely can be overtaken...

But he has to bat with the tail now so that changes the complexion a bit.

[etoreveyi]

You can have a look at the wickets that have fallen so far.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Afgha ... 4871164016

[foreignfield]

You can have a look at the wickets that have fallen so far.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Afgha ... 4871164016

Only Raza can claim he got a ball that was too good for him.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Well, there goes any remote hopes. Richie Mutumbami, take a bow!

So, based on grabbing the opportunity, it is:

Richie >>>> Regis
Maruma >> Waller

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Mutumbami gone.
Well, that's a shame. But a good rearguard knock given the rubbish dished up by the batsmen above him.

What's a "respectable" (and I use that term very loosely given the calibre of the opposition we are playing) score from here? 160?

[CrimsonAvenger]

I can't imagine how the other star batsmen in the team faced Mutumbami when he entered the pavilion. Heads hung at least, I'm sure.

[eugene]

Duffin got a test 50 on debut, against India.