[Match Thread] Day Night Pink Ball Test: SA vs Zimbabwe

[jaybro]

For those who didn’t watch the Zim innings to date please hold your judgement, those conditions against a quality attack there was zero chance we were getting through unscathed.

The unfortunate thing was as soon as the shine came off the ball Burl really looked comfortable, we really got screwed by having to face the new ball under lights.

Day nights tests are a great spectacle but the change of conditions is too dramatic.

Unless we can somehow bat out two sessions we won’t get a chance to use the new ball under lights which is a massive disadvantage

[Tom91]

For those who didn’t watch the Zim innings to date please hold your judgement, those conditions against a quality attack there was zero chance we were getting through unscathed.

The unfortunate thing was as soon as the shine came off the ball Burl really looked comfortable, we really got screwed by having to face the new ball under lights.

Day nights tests are a great spectacle but the change of conditions is too dramatic.

Unless we can somehow bat out two sessions we won’t get a chance to use the new ball under lights which is a massive disadvantage

You are spot on mate, you can't play test matches like this as soon as it goes dark it's unplayable. The only time I've seen batters prosper was the England West Indies test at edgebaston. Day night test cricket doesn't work ask Micheal holding. No wonder AB declared, he knew he'd picked up wickets late on.

[Mr Twig]

This situation is where we needed a proper opener in Mawoyo to get us through those conditions. Promising signs with Burl and hopefully he can cash in on Day 2.

[eugene]

No opener, even Mawoyo would have survived with Morkel steaming in under lights.

Zimbabwe probably would have been better giving South Africa some easy runs and waiting till tomorrow to dismiss them. Of course this isn't a realistic tactic but it is still true. Basically regardless of score, you declare at nightfall and put the opposition in to bat.

[CrimsonAvenger]

So the horrors have come true. If the two most accomplished players in your XI get out for ducks then you are pretty much finished. But yeah, I think it is important to acknowledge the SA attack under lights - was a recipe for disaster in any case. We forced a declaration, which could only have been detrimental to us.

Zimbabwe probably would have been better giving South Africa some easy runs and waiting till tomorrow to dismiss them. Of course this isn't a realistic tactic but it is still true.

Yeah, as the day-night tests become more of a commonplace, we shouldn't be surprised if we see this tactic implemented. We could have asked Raza and Burl to bowl once they were 7 down and dragged this on a bit.

First target tomorrow is to add 130 runs somehow and avoid the follow on. Else, we would be batting under lights again and this could be over in 2 days.

A ray of hope, however, is that SA might need batting practice and hopefully won't enforce the follow on...

[eugene]

Of course teams could counter this tactic by deliberately getting run-out. The game could really become farcical if we aren't careful.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Given the 150 run threshold for follow on enforcement, 300 is a legitimate score for declaration against weaker batting line ups. So, declarations might happen regardless. The bowling team tactics must be, to somehow drag the game on without taking wickets and not conceding runs. Tough ask.

[Andybligzz]

I think the boys bowled and fielded beautifully , yes there were a few boundary balls but other than that they worked very hard and put up a great fight . Sadly the night session started at 1am Western Australian time so I didn’t get to see the boys bat . Anywhere underlights is no easy task and if we were 2 down I would be fine with that but now all our best bats are in the shed it’s looking very grim for us , maybe batting twice today. Good to see Burl putting up a fight and showing some true zim grit , has to go on today ! Special efforts by Jarvis , bobby and cremer ( thought he captained very well and was much improved) overall South Africa’s day by a mile but still there are positive signs.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Given the 150 run threshold for follow on enforcement, 300 is a legitimate score for declaration against weaker batting line ups. So, declarations might happen regardless. The bowling team tactics must be, to somehow drag the game on without taking wickets and not conceding runs. Tough ask.

That;'s just for the 4 day tests. D/N tests of 5 days might still not invoke such daring declarations.

[PSR]

Damn...never wanted my prediction to come true...

Burl looking good though...let's hope we can get to 200..my next prediction