[Match Thread] South Africa V Zimbabwe – 1st ODI

[auszim]

Fantastic effort by Taibu and Matsikenyeri...and again Ray Price helps.

I am still very dissapointed in the top order and the performance as a team. We have shown over the last few years that we indeed have the talent to match it with top teams. We have competed well in many of the games. This has been clear by the number of high scores by players such as Masakadza, Sibanda, Coventry, Taylor and now Matsikenyeri (We always knew what Tatenda is capable of)...

I do not blame the players for the results but i feel it is more the lack of opportunity. Beating Kenya showed us that we can play good solid cricket consistantly, but unfortunately this did role across to the Bangla series. I think the answer is exactly that, playing more cricket consistantly. The revamp of the Domestic comp is great to see because it has been able to give the current national team a chance to play on a consistent basis and also breads competition.

What i would like to see if some more First Class matches between Zim and sides like South Africa A. Also we could benefit hugely from teams touring SA. Why not have teams like England or Pakistan play a warm up game against a Zim XI in SA. Yes I know the political situation doesn't always assist this process but there are opportunities to be had.

Following last night's game was exciting for me, I can't begin to imagine how the players felt yesterday. It was probably like a Super Bowl or Champions League final to play against a near full strength SA. And I want that feeling every match!

We are heading in the right direction but in order for us to be taken seriously we need to be performing consistantly.

Please guys compete well in the 2nd ODI!!!!

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

Very well said. Welcome to the forum AusZim

[CrimsonAvenger]

i was particularly critical of the way Taibu batted in the 1st and 2nd ODI's in Bangladesh so i'm hoping that he scored these runs today by playing a lot of proper cricket shots, this amount of runs show that Zim need him in the side and batting with responsibility and maturity.

I must confess that I too am a harsh critic of Taibu at times, but I think, like with many others here, it is out of frustration mostly. He has all the talent in the world to do well, and when he doesn't fulfill the expectations, fans are bound to get mad. Taibu is like the Tendulkar of Zim team at the moment. Expectations are huge every time he walks out to bat. And yesterday, did he play a great knock or what? And he was rightly awarded the Man of the Match for that performance.

This is what we expect from him, at least to try to do well, and not look like throwing his wicket away. When he settles down, he can play any shot in the book, and those that aren't in there as well. So, hope he continues this good work of his. It is indeed very important for him to succeed regularly, because him and Williams are probably the only batsmen in the current crop who have the class to adapt to any condition and situation. Masakadza, Taylor and co. are still in the process of developing their techniques, and there are chinks which would lead to failures now and then. If these two can anchor the performances more often than not, others can rally around them to build a formidable and successful top order in years to come.

[Winged Cricket]

I have Confidence in any team line up that has Matsikinyeri and Taibu. My beef is Why can't I get my National team shirt? Do I have to travel to Zim to get them? If so than there is a business idea that I am going to cash in on thanks to Zimcrickets' failure.

[Conant]

I was thrilled to see how at ease Stewy settled in yesterday especially after Chigumbura looked all at sea against Dale Steyn. It’s the quick hands. He will play and miss some but at least he is in a position to get bat on ball. He is not one to get bogged down, and it showed too against the spinners in Bangladesh.
Stewy has never been my favorite player but in the last two months he’s proven me wrong.
Masakadza looked scratchy yesterday and that bottom hand was getting too much into play.
Whether we like it or not Coventry and Vermeleun aren’t doing much at the moment. Zim's future in the opening batting at one-dayers rests on Vusi Sibanda, and I'm convinced Chamu Chibhabha has more strokes upfront than anybody.
Give him the South Africans and he will perform. Once he’s on spin he‘s absolutely useless which is why it’s ideal that he opens.
We miss Sean Williams, and I think he will be our most important batsmen in the middle.