[Match Thread] Zimbabwe v South Africa: Only Test

[AussieZimFan]

A lot more positives came out of the match than negatives. Certainly didn't let South Africa have it all their own way. Being exposed to what looks like a quality spinner like Piedt will assist with the preparation leading into the series with Bangladesh. Hopefully Zimbabwe can push both South Africa and Australia in the upcoming ODI series.

[Jemisi]

Does anyone know how you prepare a slow pitch? Good effort, it definitely contributed to a decent showing by Zim. I was disappointed they didn't have the bowling speeds on the television. Does anyone know why there were no reviews? Whose decision was this? Zim are always on the reciving end of questionable umpiring decisions against big teams, it is really annoying. The fielders really need to show more exuberance going up and get in the umpires' faces a bit more.

cash. the drs is expensive

[eugene]

Not only Zimbabwe that find the DRS too expensive.

[clikcspeed]

Player ratings?

Mine:
Vusi - 6.5: Redeemed himself in the 2nd innings but should have converted it into a 50+. Held on to catches. Should travel to Bangladesh
Hammy - 7: Also should have converted his 45 into a 50+, otherwise good game, contributed in both innings
MV - 5: Not the dream return, did very well to blunt the new ball in the 1st innings but should have scored more.
BT - 7.5: Held it together in the 1st innings to set things up, should have also converted the 50 to a 100, can't comment on captaincy but it looks like the bowlers were managed well.
Williams - 6.5: Unlucky in the 1st innings, poor umpiring decision. Got us some important wickets.
Chakabva - 4: Expected more from the top scorer in the Logan Cup at his home ground
Richie - 8: This kid is special, only a matter of time before we get big performances, good with the bat, good behind the stumps.
Nyumbu - 8: Well not much needed here, brilliant 5-for, love a spinner who can attack and also hold. Feel more confident about our chances in Bangladesh with this guy.
Panyangara - 7: Stellar performance, this guy has been a revelation since coming in to the side, provided the much needed control (with Jarvis and Vitori things could go south at any stage re: NZ tour) unlucky not to get on the wickets column
Chatara - 7: Great control too, got that wicket in the 2nd innings which just spoils the result SA wanted.
Donald - 6: Good performance on debut, got the wickets but lacked the control we needed.

[AussieZimFan]

Does anyone know what the issue is with Vitori and when he's due back?

[Kriterion_BD]

Not only Zimbabwe that find the DRS too expensive.

Sri Lanka has the DRS too and they are dirt poor compared to the BCB who have never used it. Maybe it's more a matter of corrupt boards vs ones willing to spend for the betterment of their team.

[Lostart]

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bcci ... 79334.html

From last year, a bit surprising really.

[Jemisi]

Really pleasing that we lasted so long in this match with some fine individual efforts. Lots of the vibe is along these lines, yet we were still beaten at home on a carefully arranged pitch in four days by 9 wickets. We were never really in a place to threaten them except possibly at 2-98 with Tiripano and Hami out in the 2nd innings. Effectively 2/-43 at that stage with a tough track to bat last on. Unfortunately the fighting underdog was licked. The chasm in class between us and the big boys seems wide.

[foreignfield]

Really pleasing that we lasted so long in this match with some fine individual efforts. Lots of the vibe is along these lines, yet we were still beaten at home on a carefully arranged pitch in four days by 9 wickets. We were never really in a place to threaten them except possibly at 2-98 with Tiripano and Hami out in the 2nd innings. Effectively 2/-43 at that stage with a tough track to bat last on. Unfortunately the fighting underdog was licked. The chasm in class between us and the big boys seems wide.

The chasm is indeed wide, but it has hardly ever been much narrower as far as sides like SA or Aus are concerned. The Pakistan Test showed that we can beat teams ranked just below the elite if we use the home advantage to full effect. And we were not far off threatening SA after lunch on the first day as well. We were pushing along nicely in the best batting conditions on offer during the match only to be done in by two crucial umpiring mistakes. Another 15-20 runs each from Williams and Mutumbami, plus the same number of extra runs from BT, suddenly we post 325+ .. and things would have gotten really interesting from there ... Let's say it's fifteen minutes after tea on day four it's "2-98 with Tiripano and Hami out in the 2nd innings. Effectively 2-28 at that stage with a tough track to bat last on" ... Tasty.

What I find more disconcerting, though, is that our players seem uncapable to repeat their stealy determination away from home. They'll have ample opportunity to put that record straight when we visit BD.

[Jemisi]

Yeah - 70 runs more from us would have made a big difference. And I guess that is not inconcievable - excepting if this was our high water mark of performance.

We have had little chance overseas. The one off in NZ was bad, but the two in WI were worse, I think. 3 in BD will be a real test for us. Pull off a win and we can extend our lead over them and close up to No.8