Zimbabwe Vs Ireland | 1st T20I | 12th Jan 2023

[sloandog]

I'm not just saying this but, the selectors need to seriously keep their finger on the pulse with Nick Welch. Ervine's struggling up top and NW would work so well here!

[sloandog]

I'm not saying now in this series, but absolutely going forward. Welch would fit in so well. Evans, Wez, Madande, Shumba....there's place in the next year for a Nick Welch type talent to join ranks

[Donald]

I'm not just saying this but, the selectors need to seriously keep their finger on the pulse with Nick Welch. Ervine's struggling up top and NW would work so well here!

He was at match today. Sure the camera panned to him briefly

[Kriterion_BD]

He's frustrating. He looks every inch a world class tallent but then just....somehow doesn't deliver very often.

It's a big puzzle. Maybe a world-class batting coach could solve it?

Sounds like Vusi Sibanda all over again. Shot selection is critical, goes for way too may high risk aerial shots and hooks and pulls. Talent is there, but at this level, you need a sound understanding of the game. This is where a quality batting coach can get him into the correct habits.

[jaybro]

He was at match today. Sure the camera panned to him briefly

Yes I saw his face I was thinking 'I know that guy'

[zimbos_05]

Watched the whole game.

Captaincy: I've said this before, it often seems like we go in with pre-determined tactics and that never changes regardless of the conditions or match situation. Felt similar in this game. Knowing who would open the bowling. Who would bowl the death overs. How many overs bowlers would get.

Bowling: I still think Evans is a better option than Ngarava. He gets more movement and he controls his line and length better. He is extremely under-utilised as a strike bowler. Burl definitely has the skills. Needs to be a bit consistent with his length and where he lands the ball, but he is probably better than our specialist spinners. Not sure Masakadza holds down a place when Raza is back.

Batting: I am all for the positive mindset go for it approach from Dave, but our guys really need to start playing with a straighter, keeping their shape, and not overthinking it. Marumani was unlucky. Poor decision. Wes on the other hand got himself out. He was way too busy. Came down and swung to send the ball to Bulawayo. Lost shape, form, head, everything. Not helping himself at all. He looked good when he played the classic shots in front of him. That is all he needs to keep doing and working on. None of this Zhuwao swing and hope strategy. It's costing us some valuable runs. Burl i'm not sure has a role as a batter unless he opens in place of Craig. Craig a classy player but I'm not sure he fits into the T20 format any more. Burl could come in as that pinch hitter with Marumani and develop a strong opening partnership. Ballance looked good for someone who has not played for a while. Clearly a classy player and him and Willo form such a formidable middle order. Can't rely on them too much though. Nice to see Madande help close out. Looked solid enough but can't judge too much off a very short innings.

Overall it was a good win. Excellent with the ball and in the field. Other than Masakadzas lame drop catch, can't say we did too much wrong in the field. Bowling we are quite strong, but there are a few little niggle things we need to work on such as line and length consistency. Batting still proving our weak strength, but a lot of it is coming down to shot selection and batters not keeping their shape or playing conventional shots.

[TapsC2]

Yup it's a bit too early to judge Madande. The field had to come in because they were short of runs. Let's see how he does if we are setting a target.

Wes had so much early success in T20s when he was going for that 120 strike rate sort of innings. Yesterday he looked like he was trying to go at 140. I'm happy that Ballance trains with him, he will knock some sense into him. The six he hit was effortless and risk free. That's what Wes needs to be working on.

Burl opening is a good option. Him or Raza. I honestly think that classic saying that your best batsmen must be in the top 4 applies a lot more for T20s than any other format. Raza needs to face the most deliveries. Also if you have watched Raza over the last decade you would know that besides the last 12 months, he needs about 10 to 15 deliveries to settle then take off. A lot of his success was actually coming because we would be 34-4 with only 30% of the innings played out. He needs time. Opening might be the best place because of the power play.

Craig is just too good to leave out. We just have to find a solution. A T20 retirement for a country which barely plays any Tests might be a death sentence in the modern era. Especially when it's not a ODI world Cup year

[Googly]

When the ball is not coming on the guys that can muscle it will do better. Madhevere is a small guy and he decided his plan was to try and come out to it and get momentum thru his shots. The spinners just dragged it back a bit and he had no plan. Easy to suggest from my couch, but a better game plan for him would have been to back foot the spinners and nudge it square and then pick the shot to come out and bang it. He was predetermining his double steps.
He's had quite a bit of exposure now and is in real danger of getting a rep of being hit and miss. He's got all the time in the world against pace, extraordinary actually, but if the wicket is slow he's not great. Looking world class then ordinary is something Zim batters excel at.
If the wicket is super slo you almost have to go across the line to get some heat on it. He'd have been better off also clearing to leg a bit and going thru or over cover and backing himself not to miss. He's way better thru off.

Ballance missed quite a few cuts, his best shot, I mean that really highlighted the wicket. I think most went under his bat and the one he went out to got some bounce and he top edged it.

I just loved Williams lofted shot at the end there. Is there anyone that looks better at that shot than him? He's 36, maybe 2 years left in him if he doesn't pull the plug before then. Finding a replacement for him won't be easy. He's a freak when you consider how little he plays and practices.

Burl as an opener surely is worth a go at some point?

When is Raza back? That's going to be interesting. The statisticians would have done a lot of homework on him now. As Kriterion pointed out he struggled against the best bowling, they seemed to have his number.

[Kriterion_BD]

When is Raza back? That's going to be interesting. The statisticians would have done a lot of homework on him now. As Kriterion pointed out he struggled against the best bowling, they seemed to have his number.

I forgot to mention that even the first round did have some very decent bowling line ups. Van Meekeran was bowling just under 150 clicks...there was Alzari who is top class, and even the Irish had lads bowling around the 140 mark. Now pace alone doesn't mean anything, but some of those guys were bowling very well. But yes, Raza hardly scored a run in the Super 12 stage.

[sam_ahm]

I'm a bit worried about Ervine's form going into the Qualifiers (should it not improve), while I absolutely respect the kind of player that he is and the contributions he has made for ZC, I think he should be open to dropping himself if need be. What I mean is that he should be a part of the squad but not necessarily the playing XI. In such a case Raza can lead the side.