[Match thread] Only Test - Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh

[wicor]

Another collapse, what's sad is it not even a slight surprise. When teams play Zim they don't think one wicket will bring two they think one will bring four or five. Zimbabwe are paying for not being aggressive enough, the just seemed happy to survive till stumps. Being cautious is all well and good but being negative just invites pressure. Instead of keeping runs flowing and forcing Bangladesh into being defensive, Zim just shut up shop and allowed Bangladesh to attack. I can see Zim bowled out for 150 and Bangladesh stealing this game.

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

Another collapse, what's sad is it not even a slight surprise. When teams play Zim they don't think one wicket will bring two they think one will bring four or five. Zimbabwe are paying for not being aggressive enough, the just seemed happy to survive till stumps. Being cautious is all well and good but being negative just invites pressure. Instead of keeping runs flowing and forcing Bangladesh into being defensive, Zim just shut up shop and allowed Bangladesh to attack. I can see Zim bowled out for 150 and Bangladesh stealing this game.

I only see your posts when there is some Zimbabwe collapse. Where were you when the debutant and the lads after a 6 yr hiatus scored 100 plus first wkt p'ship on green top? When was the last time your team WI fared this well with 2 completly inexperienced bowlers in a test?

[wicor]

Another collapse, what's sad is it not even a slight surprise. When teams play Zim they don't think one wicket will bring two they think one will bring four or five. Zimbabwe are paying for not being aggressive enough, the just seemed happy to survive till stumps. Being cautious is all well and good but being negative just invites pressure. Instead of keeping runs flowing and forcing Bangladesh into being defensive, Zim just shut up shop and allowed Bangladesh to attack. I can see Zim bowled out for 150 and Bangladesh stealing this game.

I only see your posts when there is some Zimbabwe collapse. Where were you when the debutant and the lads after a 6 yr hiatus scored 100 plus first wkt p'ship on green top? When was the last time your team WI fared this well with 2 completly inexperienced bowlers in a test?

What have the WI got to do with this. I have no problem with the bowling they have bowled very well. But twice now the batsmen have thrown away good positions. This game should be over.

6 year hiatus means nothing, the opposition is Bangladesh, a team the Netherlands and Ireland have beaten in the last year.

[TheBradDevil]

Zim top order collapse. Esentially 92/3 considering Price was nightwatchman. Hope the middle (BT, Taibu, Ervine, Elton) deliver for us. If they dont it will be a shame

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

6 year hiatus means nothing, the opposition is Bangladesh, a team the Netherlands and Ireland have beaten in the last year.

I never knew that Dutch and Irish have started playing tests. Get out of silly T20 and one day mode, tests are serious business

[shumbat]

Thats welcome back to Test cricket, your mindset has to tested, read situations and adjust. I hope the middle and lower order gives us runs till tea tomorrow then we have game on. My consolation is Rome wasn't built in a day, the team are surely reflecting and GF has got a job on his hands. Zim will still win though.....

[FlowerPower]

Lets see if I can put some positive spin to this, in context our openning pair did their job, we are 175 ahead with 6 wickets intact (oh no, with such a long tail, more like 3 in hand), our only loss is that of Hammi. Time for someone to put their hand up. If someone takes up the challenge and makes a 100 (or a big 50 with a couple of 20s) we should be good for 300+ which should be defendable...

Ideally we want to get at least 20 overs tomorrow (gives about 110 to bowl them out with 2 new balls, if that isn't enough then we don't deserve to win...). This gives 70 overs batting to get our 125 or so, at about 2 an over...attainable, with Taylor, Taibu, Ervine ( ), Chigs and Vitori... just dont panick hang in there put away the bad ones, ones and two should be enough

I think the glass is very half full

[jimbo]

I got a bad feeling about tommorow, Just dont trust Ervine and Elton with the bat at the moment. If there is a partnership it is more than likely to come from Taibu and taylor, Please let it be the case

If ervine fails Mutizwa for the pakistan Test definetly

[clikcspeed]

I'd be very disappointed if you like what you see in him as a Test Opener, and are prepared to make him a permanent opener from what you've seen so far

Personally, I like to work with the figures, Vusi and Mawoyo have averaged 66.50 in 6 First Class innings (including this Test) - a total of 466 runs in 142.5 overs, they stay at the crease together for an average of 24 overs, they have 2 century stands plus 1 50 (today's 69). That is STABILITY for you there, something not synonymous with Zimbabwean batting. It is also worth noting that they are the 2nd Zimbabwean openers to put a 100+ then a 50 partnership in a Test match, this only ever happened once, when Grant Flower was playing (how many years ago was that? 10+) He may not have a big innings yet but, in 24 overs, what Mawoyo does is factor out the new ball for our more accomplished batsmen to play a decent innings.

I can go on (please try me) but clearly this is sufficient evidence that Mawoyo (partnered Vusi) is doing well - there is always room for improvement which I am sure will come with maturity. I love your commentary but on Mawoyo you have been to critical, he may not be the best opener but certainly, for the moment this is the best pairing that we have. Please find someone else to pick on

PS - Mawoyo's Test average is 34 - probably the best in the camp. LOL

[Maweni]

I'd be very disappointed if you like what you see in him as a Test Opener, and are prepared to make him a permanent opener from what you've seen so far

Personally, I like to work with the figures, Vusi and Mawoyo have averaged 66.50 in 6 First Class innings (including this Test) - a total of 466 runs in 142.5 overs, they stay at the crease together for an average of 24 overs, they have 2 century stands plus 1 50 (today's 69). That is STABILITY for you there, something not synonymous with Zimbabwean batting. It is also worth noting that they are the 2nd Zimbabwean openers to put a 100+ then a 50 partnership in a Test match, this only ever happened once, when Grant Flower was playing (how many years ago was that? 10+) He may not have a big innings yet but, in 24 overs, what Mawoyo does is factor out the new ball for our more accomplished batsmen to play a decent innings.

I can go on (please try me) but clearly this is sufficient evidence that Mawoyo (partnered Vusi) is doing well - there is always room for improvement which I am sure will come with maturity. I love your commentary but on Mawoyo you have been to critical, he may not be the best opener but certainly, for the moment this is the best pairing that we have. Please find someone else to pick on

PS - Mawoyo's Test average is 34 - probably the best in the camp. LOL

Clicspeed you're right. And I think I now know who you are Good to see you here!

Mod edit: unacceptable language, and don't feed the trolls.