[Match Thread] Zimbabwe v New Zealand: Test Match

[eugene]

Jarvis proving his doubters wrong.

[foreignfield]

Kyle Jarvis take a bow

If they don't catch'em, you've got to bowl'em

[Jemisi]

He is looking good for six too.

[PSR]

really good display of reverse swing by jarvis

[Flower power]

think Jarvis will be good for even 7 today ......after tea would want Razor to get Vettori out ....

[Jemisi]

This has been good hard test cricket. We are in it and need to be chasing a victory here. We cahsed 329 is 50 overs, we need to be thinking we can chase the same in over 100 overs.

[eugene]

Vetorri will be our biggest obstacle in the second innings chase.

[Jemisi]

Yeah, he is very good chance for a 10 fer

[FlowerPower]

Jarvis really shows that Heath knows what he is doing... More importantly from a tem point of view where to next in this match? With two batsman in for NZ I would imagine they will try and milk every run they can, and hope Dan the man can clean up. We are in a dilemma, polish off the tail now, and they have longer to bowl at us. Let the tail wag and we are batting for a draw (if we already aren't)... NZ probably have enough to declare now, but would they want to give us 120 overs to get a bit over 300 (around 3rpo)? Would be a sporting declaration, but I suspect they will try to push that up to around 3.2, 3.3.

If they do declare we are chasing 2.7, but this is a day 4/5 QSC with Dan the man hurling them in! Do we knuckle down and bat for a draw or do we go for it?

Personally I think if we bowl them out for less than a 350 lead, or they declare, we really have no choice, we will either win or draw. What I mean is they can get the ten wickets, so the only factor would be do they get them before we get 350 or not (actually technically that isn't true, because if we get 350, they can't get the 10, and if they get 10 we can't get 350...)...I reckon we go for it, 3 an over is a tall ask on day 5 vs Dan, but if we shut shop he will get the 10, so go for it I say...what do you guys say?

[hhm]

Jarvis proving his doubters wrong.

No doubt I'm one of them! Plenty of 4s conceded in my view (albeit most of them in the form of 3s and straight to the fielder). He'd be murdered under normal circumstances. Jury's still out for me (but there's never been any doubt in my mind that he's better than Vitori).

Take nothing away from the boy, he acquitted himself well 6/162 so far, with a 5fer to go. What more can we ask for! That is one of the longest spells he's bowled in a Test, and I'm glad that's the case because I can't stop complaining about just how much modern bowlers are spoilt with short spell. Credit must be given to the coaches. It's very clear that Heath has asked his seamers to bowl straight, and no one can argue that Jarvis mostly, has followed those instructions perfectly. You're right about Heath there Snr Power.

Interesting situation. Young proved in the last innings that he can more than hold hold a bat (should bat above Waitling), while Vettori simply had his way. I doubt they'll attack but look to play for another hour, which they are capable of doing, and I doubt we can keep them to under 3.5-4/over n that time. So I guess we'll have to buy those two wickets if we want to have more time to bat and chase down the target. I prefer it if we play for a draw actually. A suspect Tino, Hami plus Chakabva down the order - it just only takes an early wicket of one of Vusi or Taylor to ensure they win, whatever the heroics Taibu may come up with. Then again Waller may yet hold the keys once more.

For all those who complain that we always look to play our Tests(matches) at the ground least productive for us QSC, I actually think on the one hand we don't want to give our opposition an advantage via a ground which will assist their seamers who are most often better than ours, and therefore blitz our top order; on the other hand it could be that they want to give our seamers a chance to learn how to bowl on a tougher pitch (not that it bothers Meth, Mpofu & Querl ). Either way the fact that Jarvis having had three games there and is already doing alright, we'll probably do well enough at Bangladesh's pitches as well. i just hope the next match is scheduled for HSC.