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

[TapsC]

Perfectly balanced match at lunch. Anything is still possible here. Playing an extra batsman (mutombodzi) might be the difference in the end. I would say we should bat another session and a half.

[jaybro]

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.

Well they’re slightly ahead of where I hoped for concerning runs, but they’ve lost more wickets than I wanted. Still well placed and as long as these two can put on a little partnership anything Tino & Donald can add is a bonus

[ZIMFAN]

Was Menon the idiot who stitched us up in Sri Lanka last time with that stumping that was out?

[CholeZimbo]

I think the most important thing now is to bad out the Post lunch session. A little more caution and try to ensure that if SL do decide to go for the win they will need to take some risk. Basically we need to have SL needing 350+ going into the final day, which ever way that arises

[ZIMDOGGY]

Not sure who needs to be reminded of this,
Please remember that this pitch is batting friendly, and we don’t have Jarvis, Chatara and probably Sean.

100 more runs is a must.

[Googly]

I agree, but I’m also fairly sure weather is going to be a factor. It’s brewing. It’s going to be a roll of the dice with a weather expert to guesstimate how many overs will be played.

[CholeZimbo]

Not sure who needs to be reminded of this,
Please remember that this pitch is batting friendly, and we don’t have Jarvis, Chatara and probably Sean.

100 more runs is a must.

I need it lol. I feel we need them chasing 350+ on the last day, maybe it means we need to park the bus once the lead hits 350

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Surely this is it for Maruma, he's the only batsman in world cricket who averages 10 and dropping.

So whats the play now? Bat until tea and declare shortly after? If we put on 100 or so in the session that'll be a lead of 400 and we'll have just under 4 sessions (rain notwithstanding to get 10 wickets). Tiripano and Mutumbodzi still to come, I reckon we're a chance of getting there.

Even if it all goes to hell now we'll still get a 300+ lead which means we have something to defend, so we've done really well so far.

I think the most important thing now is to bad out the Post lunch session. A little more caution and try to ensure that if SL do decide to go for the win they will need to take some risk. Basically we need to have SL needing 350+ going into the final day, which ever way that arises

I agree with this - I'd like to see us take a bit more time out of the game, just to be on the safe side. So hopefully Williams and Raza take it easy in the first part of this second session.

[jaybro]

Lead is almost 300 now these two need to get the lead 350 then really push on, ideally bowling before tea

[Googly]

There’s no point in being on the safe side. Whether we lose 1-0 or 2-0 is irrelevant surely?
We need a win to level it. I think they should open their shoulders and try and get 50-80 toute suite and then bowl. Rain is almost guaranteed to shorten this game. It’s drizzling where I am right now.