Match Thread | Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka 2020 | 2nd Test | Harare

[brmtaylor.com admin]

The weather report is not great for tomorrow. It would be a gigantic pisser if the rain robbed us of a much needed and deserved win. The lads have warmed the cockles of my heart.

That would be awful if the rain robbed us, given it didn't save us in the last Test.

What's the minimum we need to bowl them out? 80 overs?

[Googly]

And the heavens have opened, it’s raining cats and dogs.
I’m not that side of town but if it’s anything like what I’m experiencing that field is going to be drenched.

[sloandog]

I always think the forum is quiet when Zim is batting well. The lack of typing is the equivalent of people staying in the same seats in the dressing room.

literally what I was thinking the other week

[zimfan1]

Best outcome is that we get bowled out with a lead of around 370. Otherwise we may bat too long.

[ZIMDOGGY]

Remember,
This is one of the weakest attacks ever stumped up in the history of test cricket.
With a small sample size of Harare based tests.
Against a team that made headlines not long ago for a record chase.
A team that ran down a huge total in a recent test against us.
I maintain we need 400 to feel any sense of safety. Even then I’d only be 90 percent confident.

[Kriterion_BD]

Best outcome is that we get bowled out with a lead of around 370. Otherwise we may bat too long.

I dont see why Williams would bat on needlessly. You want at least 4 sessions to try and knock them over.

[jaybro]

I believe Williams can bat but not in the top 7, which isn't too big an issue with Mutombodzi being able to move up to 7 no sweat

The rain will be a real 'dampener' on proceedings no doubt, but rain never helps Zimbabwe, in fact I can't remember ever thinking geez we're lucky it rained

Zimbabwe are 175 ahead which at this stage is perfectly placed, although the rain must be considered when looking at tactics going forward. I'd say bat sensibly for the 1st session which should 35 overs? at 3 an over that's 105 runs which takes the lead to 280.

At that stage it all depends on how many wickets have been lost, if they're 3 down at that stage I would say it's time to put the foot down and look to get that lead to 400 asap, Ideally a lead of 400 by Tea would be a great time to declare leaving Sri Lanka needing 400 off roughly 120 overs at 3.3 an over.

If BT & Raza get going they could even push the lead further or declare earlier which I think is a good idea considering the rain and the fact Sri Lanka will likely look to force a draw if they are left with too many to chase, Sri Lanka have drawn before to Zimbabwe but never lost, so they will be ok with a drawn match.

This throws up the option to possibly declare with a lead of 380 and giving Sri Lanka extra time to chase so to entice some stroke making. Zimbabwe used their seamers by leaving the ball wide of off stump to contain and bore out the Sri Lankans, this won't work if they're looking to draw.

It would be a risk but maybe one worth taking considering the weather

[Mueddie28]

300 would be a challenge for SL, no doubt. But I wouldn't be cracking open the champagne if that was the target - that would mean we'd be all out for 190 or so which would be disappointing from 1/49.

It's funny how a few days ago we wanted rain, now we don't want it because we are in a pretty rare position of being able to put up a really, really imposing total if we play well from here

I prefer cricket experts
What does the rain do for the bowlers - spin friendly or pace friendly
How do ourbatters require - expect from these conditions

[ZIMFAN]

Can any of you cats on the ground tell me about the weather.

[Googly]

It was very overcast this morning, but appears to be lifting and thinning. I can see patches of blue. I guess we need a pitch report. I have no idea how much rain they had yesterday, but were not far away and we had plenty.