[Series thread] 2011 Stanbic Bank T20

[aydee]

Ah, well done! Top knock by the skipper (only going by the ball-by-ball commentary), but the Colonel really set this up early on.

Is it taking to far to suggest that the Mountaineers have the best and most varied bowling unit in this tournament?

They've certainly got a good bowling attack. Considering that Chatara hasn't played until today, Mushangwe wasn't required today and I don't think Maruma has bowled all tourney.

[Conant]

So, Mountaineers are in the finals. They might not haver won the tuornament yet but thought I should remind you folks -- I was the first to say it :

PS Do you really think we will win? I mean these guys have Ballance and Marillier seems to have found some form, and Waller in his purple patch, and Ricky Wessels is handy with the bat...Not to mention, Raiinsford, Chimouya, and Nicolson with the ball...our strong point is bowling, and judging from the Pro50, its not clicking currently...I think we have met our match!

Mountaneers is the strongest and will win this year's Stanbic T20. There, I have said it. Eugene's one liner.

Our punters are normally interested in the spread betting, which is where the real excitement begins. I will put that up as the match begins tomorrow.

I have a really good feeling about the Mountaneers. Mustard, H. Masakadza, Kasuza, Shingi Masakadza, Chatara, Nannes, Mushangwe.

Well thanks, hhm. . By dint of so many stars in their team Midwest had been my favourites (although I quite like the Mountaineers) for the tournament before they announced that Chris Gayle was had been assigned to the Tuskers:)

[hhm]

Indeed! You called it well Conant!

Injuries may be our undoing in this one. With a lot of my favorites not turning out for the Tuskers, I'm caught up between wishing Matsi to get a century plus that elusive MoM award which he has been deprived so far, or a crushing Tuskers total which the Eagles cannot chase!

Cricinfo say Craig ran out Mustard but that was a result of the brilliance of Duffin. Probably puts to be our fears of poor fielding if he were to make it to the national team!

Brilliant knock from Hamilton. One can only wonder why his dominance deserts him when he puts on our red!

I saw Mupariwa in the Tuskers benches. Wouldn't be a bad idea to throw him in for Staddon. Even if he's not match fit considering he hasn't had a game so far this season. He can't do much worse!

I don't know about you guys but it looked to me like Chatara is the fastest quick we have (Jarvis included)!

Gillespie looked pretty upset when Neil Johnson went into their changing room to show the viewers what they had on their board. Thought he was going to punch him!

[sscricket]

Brilliant Matsi!

Best innings of the tournament in my book. Unlike the end the innings blind swipe of the bat by Ballance, or Gayle's unattractive stand-and-deliver. Missed out on a deserved century to put it beyond doubt! Another stupid shot, not long after Neil Johnson heaped praises on him.

AC is impressed and he acknowledged that he's been having a good run in domestic cricket. Appropriate for one of him and Ewing to get a chance in the T20/ODI or Test squad respectively. They've earned it!

Mushangwe's done better than Cremer, so if Muzhange who's also done well gets the nod ahead of one of Ncube/Meth/Vitori, then Mushangwe should also get the nod ahead of Cremer. Most of you have very much thrown your weight behind the youngsters, so why not Mushangwe ahead of the recovering Cremer? It happend to rainsfor did it not? Same situation he's also coming back from a lengthy injury!

For those who question Elton, you only need to think back on his Tets performance against Bangladesh, as well as his batting against a strong AusXI bowling unit. He will be in the Test XI.

Again, I wouldn't read too much into this circus stuff, but to ignore Muzhangwe would be blind, to also brush aside Matsi's 2 big half centuries would be also spiteful, but to write Cremer's obituary because of this silly stuff...I scoff at that!!! And Chigs for ODI is essential, and even T20 is useful, but as far as Test is concerned, sorry I don't see him cutting it, especially in the current form, he's currently hardly an allrounder, hence based on batting, Waller, Mutizwa and Ervine are ahead, and as a bowler he has his work cut out to get past the challengers (Meth and co), let alone dislodge the incumbents. For me he is the quintessential limited overs allrounder (when he remembers how to bat), but hardly a test player.

Guys either dont read with caution or dont read into this performance at all.
I have to concede Matsi puched above his weight yesterday. But I have to balance that with his last 10 performances from crincinfo.
The pitch was a beauty and Tendo came out of nowhere too (who has been in hibernation for the last 2 years)

I personally want him to perform more consistently before he can demand a place because I think his techinque is suited for flat batting wickets if it comes off looks good.
He will come a cropper if there is any assistance for the bowler like lateral movement, swing ,bounce or hold up.
If he is selected he should get no more than 2 chances, and should bow out gracefully if he does not perform.

After further reading I have to add, he is far far better than Chamu who gives negative,selfish starts and takes the game backwards regardless of the nature of the pitch.
I would certainly have Matsi ahead of Chamu anyday.

[sscricket]

Couple of comments
Dabengwa's batting is a joke. Ugly swipes. Missed everyhing from Chatara on this batting wicket.
No wonder he does not deserve anything more than playing FC. He hit his first ball for four but got only 19 off 16. He should have got at least 30.
Also I have to question why Meth's batting skills are not being used. He would have been perfect yesterday.
Tuskers are missing NCube and Mpofu. The wheels are falling off their campaign..

Is todays Match (Eagles vs tuskers) at 10 am local time or 4 pm?
Cricinfo says 12 but i saw on tv yesterday it was at 4. Can anyone confirm?

[maehara]

Don't think Cricinfo are right there. Morning match (10am) should be the Primary School show match; playoff is the afternoon match, 2pm local. Haven't had any PR from ZC to indicate there was a change to the schedule. Although that's no guarantee...

[nashfire]

Finally i m done with exams , i can now sit and relax to a cricketing weekend, can't wait for final on Sunday.

[sscricket]

Finally i m done with exams , i can now sit and relax to a cricketing weekend, can't wait for final on Sunday.

Hopefully we can get some good totals for you!
This makes me realize how fortunate I am to have the time and resources (three different channels showing cricket 24/7).

[foreignfield]

I don't know about you guys but it looked to me like Chatara is the fastest quick we have (Jarvis included)!

I thought as much. A smooth action too. I seem to recall that he can swing it a bit (not that there was much swing for him today).

[Jemisi]

Very solid effort from Hami, he has had a good tourney.