Zimbabwe vs Ireland | Only Test | 25-29 July 2024

[Googly]

Blessing can more than hold a bat. Needs to be more responsible. Richie is not a rabbit either.

[Pat_Bee]

We can totally do this 250-300 and we’re in the driving seat. A few guys owe some runs this dig-

[Donald]

I would rather pick our best bowlers which we have done than swap them out to give a bit more depth. 4 bowlers at 8- 11 should pose an opportunity rather than problems. Get the coach to get them to take more responsibility in their batting and practice those roles. We cannot and should not go back to the tiripano type game where we have an ineffectual bowler who can bat a little.
In that sense the boys barring ngarava did their job today and reigned ireland in notwithstanding the last wicket partnership.

Does anyone agree with this?

[Jemisi]

Missed today but glad we held them to 250. A pity to let them get so many at the end but to be none for minus 28 going into day 3 is a pretty good outcome from the day. The game is there for the taking.

[Pat_Bee]

I would rather pick our best bowlers which we have done than swap them out to give a bit more depth. 4 bowlers at 8- 11 should pose an opportunity rather than problems. Get the coach to get them to take more responsibility in their batting and practice those roles. We cannot and should not go back to the tiripano type game where we have an ineffectual bowler who can bat a little.
In that sense the boys barring ngarava did their job today and reigned ireland in notwithstanding the last wicket partnership.

Does anyone agree with this?

Ya, I totally agree with it. 20 wickets is what wins test matches. You need to pick your best bowlers and back your batters to do their job. It isn’t like white ball where you can compromise to eke out a few more runs from the tail.

Ngarava aside, our guys were economical and all chipped in wickets, Williams showing the none selection of a genuine spinner was justified. Salamander made the right choice, it’s England (basically). Seam is where the money is.

[zimfan1]

Madande can't keep in the second innings.

[Donald]

Chivanga could have easily got a 4 fer today. Desperately unlucky with that Stirling wicket that wasn't but in reality was .

Ervine owes a few runs second dig and certainly madande as well. Tail wagging would help. Chivanga could probably come in at number 8. I've seen him be an enterprising batsman when needs be and also be a bit of an obdurate blocker. Blessing and ngarava at the moment won't die wondering but like I said before pick your best bowlers and then work with them to stick around as batsmen and add some impetus. Even in a supporting role to one of the main batsmen. I would take a 3 from 50 balls from ngarava if he supported say bennett to get a half century if he was going for it at the other end.

[eugene]

I knew PJ would eventually find form if persisted with long enough. Who knew it would take multiple countries worth of persistence!

[zimbos_05]

Sounds like a good fightback with the ball. I'd like us to be a little more proactive with the bat. Have that one anchor and the other batsman ensuring we keep things ticking over. Not asking for 4's or 6's. Just keep the runs coming. A SR of around 70-80.

It's clearly not going to be a high scoring game, so we can definitely bat Ireland out of the game if we are smart about it.

[secretzimbo]

I have grave concerns about the pitch and conditions. Some of the swing earlier today was insane. Big Lance isn't an enormous swinger of the ball usually but he had it hooping in this weather. If Ireland produce something similar our batters will not cope. Chatara's final wicket this evening- what the hell was that?!?! That wasn't even swing, I think that moved off the pitch - scary. Totally unplayable. There is not a single batter in the word who would have played that delivery well. Must have hit some rough on the pitch or something.

Even Williams was getting some turn as well earlier in the afternoon.

If conditions are similar tomorrow there is every chance we do something like be all out for under 100.

We have to scrape to a lead of about 200. No way Ireland will chase that successfully if we do.