Can't say I'm surprised by the loss. We have a habit of snatching defeat from victory.
I'd actually say its the other way around...the past few years, Zimbabwe have won a lot of games, that on paper they should NOT have won.
2021 vs Pakistan, defended 118 in a T20 vs Pakistan
2022 vs Pakistan at the WC, defended 130 in T20
Weeks ago vs India, defended 100 odd in T20
None of those are defendable totals and yet still somehow Zim managed miraculous wins. Those are bonus wins. And there might even be a couple more that I can't remember given the insane number of T20Is Zimbabwe have played over the past 2-3 years. Name another team that has successfully defended such low scores so often in the past 3 years...
158 is not really a defendable Test total, and ZIM did very well to push it as close as they did having Ireland 21-5 (lotta of dumb strokes from Irish batters too)
I'd wager that there won't even be 700 runs scores in these conditions in the entire match. Will probably be the lowest aggregate score Test in history perhaps.
That Duke ball just keeps on swinging after it's pitched. It's really an area ZC need to address. It's a big expense but we have to play with Dukes or Kookaburras. We play our 4 day stuff with balls that stop swinging after about 5 overs, and they don't do that much to begin with. Then you face a ball that swings for 25 overs at least and then starts reversing. We haven't prepped for it. Give the guys a fighting chance.
I'm sure they can get a bulk discount. It's a moot point when they're building 2 stadiums
I stayed up and watched every day, currently on a 4 week booze break and after having them 5 for 35 or whatever it was I was feeling like you don’t need booze for fun, this is amazing life is so great, zimbabwe is winning the world test championship. Fast forward 24 hours later, drinking in the dark never felt so lonely. On a positive, myers was very lucky, but he’s a smart cricketer and not flustered. Can see him being a 35 plus test batsman( can we call him that ) or is there some woke pc cockles on here now ? He impressed me a lot ! Bennett struggled but he must be playing every test possible while the old dogs are still here, yes technique looked a bit lazy but the talent is there. Gumbie was amazing and really rate him as a cricketer, has to be in every test and odi squad. It’s a shame he’s a very solid opener as we cannot play Madande as a keeper in tests, to put it bluntly his poor keeping cost us that test. All for him in the short formats but that was honestly sickening. More positives, prince was very nice and solid but at 35 is he the answer ? Maybe get him Williams and Ervine through this next 18’months if form allows to ease the youngens.but also we don’t want all 3 retiring at once. I know he’s also a fossil and dogged us for cash and played the not fit card, but if we are playing a low slow wickets raza must come back in. Bit of a rant but I’ve got 3 years to catch up on here. Marumani I would one Hundy percent have him in future squads as I think he has the goods for longer cricket, stats will say I’m mad but I’ve seen something.bowling was pretty good, even though nyauchi had zero faith by slug. Baffling. If we had a test at home tomorrow and the wicket was a standard slow deck,this is the rough squad and team I would go with ( if everyone is available)
12th man: Johnathan Campbell
Reserves : 13: N.Welch ( really want him to get a run at it
He’s the answer, will average 30 plus in both longer forms if given the faith and freedom, I’ll die on this hill ).
14:Marumani- can bat top 4 and I really do believe in him.
15. Chatara- work horse and you know what you will get, awesome to help out the bowlers and if someone breaks down he’s a ready to go warrior. Any nip in the pitch and he will find it.
16. Ryan Burl- I think he’s a future skipper, yes hasn’t played much 4 day cricket or late and as well as being dropped probably makes me look stupid. But Ervine is a terrible
Captain, love him and thank him for how
Loyal and good he has been to zim but nope as skipper. Burl has a great cricketing mind and also has all 3 skills, very handy as a reserve. Also crucial he learns as much as possible while the old dogs are around.
Takeaways / changes / : I’ve dropped prince purely so we don’t have 3 old blokes blocking the future, I’ve opened with Ervine as it’s either step up as skip and show the youngens how to battle it out and what made you such a great player or it’s time to go. Has the technique and temperament to do it, but the eyes may be going. I’m backing him for the next 12 months to stick at 28
Plus which is all we need ( or will take ).
Gumbie has to stay opening and I’m going try take the risk of him
Keeping as well, history says it’s a no can do move but we play f all tests and Clive simply cannot play.
Myers is our 3 for the next 12 years plus if he wants it, experience around him in Ervine and Williams. Hence also while I’ve picked Naqvi at 5, he has the technique and talent, let’s see what he’s got.can’t be worse then what’s rolling around atm. Raza is playing if he can find the will power, especially if we are playing the afghans. Genuinely can take the attack to them, very good bowler and great fielder. One of our only players the
Opposition fears, we walk taller with him. Bennett gets 3 more tests for me, he’s the future and he will deliver if he’s nurtured correct. Never been a greater period for him to learn with zim greats still playing. Evans I know might not be fit but comes straight in, more than reliable with the ball and suited to longer format, handy bat which we need desperately. Mavuta plays as he’s the best leggie and spinner in the country, strengthens batting and will have joints rolled for after days play ( culture ).blessing and Richard pick themselves.
Last thing, I would have Williams as skipper or raza, but that won’t happen. Chivanga extremely unlucky but I feel evans is just as good ( and the batting we need so bad ). Also I’ve been out of this page for a while, so don’t bring anything about whites and black up.I simply am picking my best squad that I believe is balanced with experience, youth and flexible to play the best cricket. We don’t have a 50 plus average batsman to rely on so we have to have 7, 8 and 9 who can hold a willow. Anyway that’s me done, give me your thoughts gentleman
The Zimbabwe Cricket team have found Ebola in one of their members, but they're not concerned because they have also found Ebatsmen and Efielda!
