MATCH THREAD! West Indies vs Zimbabwe 2nd test @ Queens Bulawayo

[brmtaylor.com admin]

If we can eke out a 150 run lead and survive until tea, we might be able to hold on for a draw.
I watched the last 15 overs or so. Raza and Moor look very solid - if those two can bat through to lunch we might be able to pull it off.

[Googly]

Hammy and BT got two jaffers, no one is avoiding those early on in your innings, you need some luck. I really like leaving inside the line, a few guys do that and you can sometimes get an edge if it jags that avoids you being bowled through the gate or getting an LB. most guys shoulder though, but it’s a neat technique if you do it well.

[Googly]

The track is staying low, it comes with its own set of problems. It’s hard to jam your bat down against a quick, or a spinner for that matter. We’re going to see a high number of LBW’s for the remainder of the game. 150 run lead and get Hope and there’s a game on.

[sloandog]

Well done to these two. At least we are taking this in to the 5th day.

Some grit being shown. Moor has been impressive to say the least. Talk about taking your chance by sheer freak luck. Williams is a delicate little flower isn't he..

[Lostart]

So it looks like this to me so far,

Hamilton - safe, made the most runs done well should be one of the first names picked.
Mire - I would prefer to see him bat a little further down, give him a bit more freedom. Good player just not suited to opening. Waller has opened
a lower order spot.
Ervine - Disappointing but had done enough previously to be safe.
Taylor - Same as Ervine
Moor - Done enough to keep going with him. Solid
Raza - Looks like he could be great if he can control his impulse to play rash shots early
Waller - Looks like the end of the line
Chakabva - Might be in trouble but we dont have a lot of depth here. If taylor keeps it opens it up to another batsman or allrounder.
Creamer - Been poor but not likely to be dropped. Needs to work his ass off to improve, both as a spinner and captain. Seems to let the game drift.
Chisoro- been ok might keep his spot
Mpofu -- Decent as well but we really need some wicket takers. So one of these might take the fall.

Thoughts?

[Googly]

Ya mostly in agreement. BT needs to keep.

[TapsC]

Good point raised about S.A. and that if it's not spin friendly then can't PJ or BT keep?

The new ball spells by Gabriel and Roach are absolutely devastating. Anyone who watched the game saw that. In my opinion Ervine in the first innings and Hami in this innings got 2 quality deliveries..

The problem is that even if we set them 150 to win they will play t20 style and try chase it down in 1 session. It's all about batting time here. These 2 need to survive one more session then hopefully Waller and Regis realize what's at stake and also grind some overs out.

PJ is showing he has the patience unlike most big hitters. He has batted really well this game. I like the way he is consuming so many deliveries. I wonder if he could open with that attitude. Maybe that's where he fits in the team. PJ and Tino would just have the task of getting the ball soft for the others.

Hami has proven for me this series that when he is on top of his game he is probably in our top 3 batsmen with Taylor and Ervine. This means that we then need to protect him like we do the other 2 and play him in his favoured position.I think these West Indian bowlers have shown us that facing the new ball is not an easy task. Even BT who has been playing in tough conditions favouring pace bowlers struggled so to judge Hami is not fair when he is not in his preferred position.

I think Ervine would thrive at 4 or 5 when the ball is a bit soft. Then our "all rounders" Raza and Williams can bat at 6 and 7 with a good keeper at 8 since that is how Streak likes it.

As for Raza he might not be the best natural talent we have but on paper this man is going to be averaging 40 going to South Africa and have a 5 wicket haul to his name. For me I would say overall he is our best player right now. How many pressure situations can you name has he come in this year and performed?

I can think of 3 times in Sri Lanka. The first ODI chasing a big score. Raza came in with a lot of work still to be done and he delivered in a record chase. Final ODI, teammates are crumbling chasing a low score and he kept his cool and took us over the line. Only test in Sri Lanka, second innings we are crumbling and he delivered. This game with the ball he delivered. With the bat now he has delivered. He is a man for high pressure situations and I don't think anybody else has been as consistent in such situations.

[Kriterion_BD]

Excellent points from TapsC above.

I don't think Moor like Mire has the technique to open. But he is impressing with his technique and grit. I think the middle order is actually quite settled, but both openers now are question marks. Perhaps Burl gets one slot? Where is Mawoyo? Should Chari continue to get chances?

Hamilton at 3 looks good if that is his preferred position. Might be a virtual opener anyway. Ervine at 4 and Taylor at 5 with Raza at 6 and Williams at 7 and both are all-rounders. If Williams doesn't score runs soon, perhaps drop him for Moor, although it leaves the bowling a bit weakened. It won't matter who keeps wicket in SA as WK is only difficult on turning pitches. But since ZIM are now going for turning pitches at home, its important to have a WK who can keep vs spin, who should that be?

The quicks need to be Jarvis, Chatara, and Mumba with Shingi also in the mix. Mpofu, as well as he's bowled this game, is only better than the likes of Tiripano or Chinouya, which isn't saying much.

On turning pitches you need a 2nd specialist spinner, and so far Raza and Williams have both bowled well enough to fit that tag despite being primarily batsmen.

[Andybligzz]

Great going by the lads showing grit and fight we need to show the cricket world we are not push overs. Raza wow what a game this guy is playing seriously becoming close to our most important player and 1st picked on the sheet, massive props to PJ batting outside his character and showing great determination , he seems to do well at the top level and might be a bonus about his personality. If these 2 can go on and get hundreds and Waller and the tail can wag for another 90-120 runs we can save this match and show a great comeback. Being 15-3 has shown we are good enough at this level yes we are not winning the series but more exposure and we are on the right track. Shows how important Jarvis is to us , only one test back and we improved dramatically in the pace department , one test out and we struggled a lot . Anyway good effort zim

[sloandog]

Great going by the lads showing grit and fight we need to show the cricket world we are not push overs. Raza wow what a game this guy is playing seriously becoming close to our most important player and 1st picked on the sheet, massive props to PJ batting outside his character and showing great determination , he seems to do well at the top level and might be a bonus about his personality. If these 2 can go on and get hundreds and Waller and the tail can wag for another 90-120 runs we can save this match and show a great comeback. Being 15-3 has shown we are good enough at this level yes we are not winning the series but more exposure and we are on the right track. Shows how important Jarvis is to us , only one test back and we improved dramatically in the pace department , one test out and we struggled a lot . Anyway good effort zim

Excellent points.
There's been a bit of the old Zim grit in this innings. I hope it continues. Cremer's had a bad test really, but he's owed it.

I hope we can take this deep into day 5