Zimbabwe Vs Scotland | ICC CWC Qualifier Super Sixes | 4th July 2023

[secretzimbo]

Hopefully Kaia and Marumani in for Wes and Jongwe tomorrow. I think they’ll possibly bring Chatara back too, which I’m sure will please many here

I’m not able to watch the game tomorrow as I’ll be travelling so this is probably my last post until tomorrow evening….

See you all on the other side. Let’s hope we are here celebrating this time tomorrow, rather than commiserating.

[zimfan1]

Chatara needs to come back, he may not have bowled well so far but his experience will be vital. But whatever happens please no Jongwe at 7.

[tawac]

Edge of the chair stuff. Hoping tomorrow doesnt go to the wire. Its all set up just hoping the stars align for us tomorrow. Tough calls to make on the team would go with the team that started it off for us. Only change would be a batter for Madande Jongwe hasnt been bowling at all so no need for him. So its down to Kaia or Marumani. Would be leaning towards Kaia opening and Ervine coming at 3.

[sloandog]

It isn't going to happen Ervine at 3. He's been absolutely bossing it opening and Gumbie has been a good, solid foil

[sloandog]

I've placed some bets all in favour of Zimbabwe

[sloandog]

Got a few mates who've travelled to watch Scotland (uni mates) and they said the city is just amazing. They said its rustic and a little dated but everyone is super happy and there's a great feel to the city

[sloandog]

Would love to do Bulawayo. Harare is a great night out but never done the 2nd city

[Mueddie28]

By the way I'm taking off from work tomorrow for this game. Generally when I do such things the team I support doesn't do well, but there is no point in sitting in office with my entire mind on this game, so I had no other option.

Also in 2018 I was in office, after the first innings, that rain delay and all I rushed back home early because I was too nervous and then I saw one of the saddest ends to a game for me... This time I want to avoid all that drama.

I'll be putting a large bet on Scotland to win to avoid stress and drama.

Either way, I win Happy to spend the money to get Zimbabwe through.

Haha.... Don't do that mate. Zimbabwe are still heavy favourites.

Zimbabwe were heavy favorite against UAE what happened
Everything lays on Sean W if he fails we lose and everybody will blame him for the lose

[Donald]

To qualify without the recently self jettisoned Ballance would be a major achievement. I think he would have really struggled too yesterday.

Scotland have quality bowlers but none on scale of sri lanka

[jaybro]

It has all come a full circle guys. This tournament is very similar to 2018.

2018
Zimbabwe won the crucial game against Afghanistan, their main competition for that other WC spot
2023
Zimbabwe won the crucial game against West Indies, their main competition for that other WC spot

2018
Zimbabwe beat Ireland to literally ensure a WC qualification having two chances to seal the spot. Zimbabwe unbeaten at this point.
2023
Zimbabwe beat Netherlands and with Ireland already knocked out they again get two shots to seal the spot. Zimbabwe unbeaten at this point.

2018
Zimbabwe lose to West Indies and get into a must win game against an associate (UAE) where they are the favourites
2023
Zimbabwe lose to Sri Lanka and get into a must win game against an associate (Scotland) where they are the favourites

2018
Zimbabwe lose to UAE. Crash out of WC. Heartbreak for fans.
2023
????????????

Yes it is uncanny how similar the journeys have been, a few differences here or there but ultimately it again comes down to one game to win to qualify. There are a few things in Zimbabwe's favour this time around compared to last time. As I pointed out prior to the tournament, this time around Zimbabwe has a number of players in good batting form compared to 2018. Williams, Raza & Ervine have all scored hundreds (5 between them) plus a number of other 50 plus scores.

They've also had help from Burl on a couple of occasions, whilst Gumbie has played his role to perfection up top. Speaking of Gumbie, his ability to see off the first 10-overs has been a huge factor for Zimbabwe's success, and an area which was a real weak point last time around. In 2018 they decided to go with Cephas & Mire attempting to go at 10 an over in the power play, which only worked against Nepal.

Zim were always trying to resurrect an innings from 3 down for less than 50 or so, whilst still trying to be positive, but with Gumbie & Ervine's opening partnership they've protected the middle order and laid a foundation for Williams, Raza and Burl to put on big scores. It's of no surprise the one game where Gumbie and Ervine failed to see Zimbabwe out of the power play that everything went to shit.

The other key factor we don't have to worry about this time is the weather. Looking at the Bulawayo forecast there's no real danger of rain so we should see a full uninterrupted match. I firmly believe the rain factor got inside the Zimbabwe player's heads in 2018, knowing that they needed to win and that a washout would knock them out, it was clear they tried to hard to bowl the UAE out quickly and get the game over as soon as possible.

The Duckworth Lewis system also didn't help them out either, and once again early wickets left them in a precarious position. As pointed out, only BT and Raza were in great form at that time, so when they lost BT early as well it really was a perfect storm.

So I am confident that things will be different today for those 3-key reasons -

- More batsman in form
- Getting through the 1st 10 overs
- No rain

The one part of the game I feel they are probably a bit weaker in is the bowling department. Chatara is obviously struggling whilst Blessing hasn't quite reached his best. The lack of a real strike spin bowler has also hurt, Cremer was such a great bowler especially against this level of opposition and I feel they've lacked that wicket taking spinner in the middle overs despite Raza doing a good job.