Zimbabwe - Marks out of 10 for the Test

Well, here are the customary scores out of 10 for our players. We have lost the test, but most people in the team can hold their heads high and say that they competed against the best.

Hamilton Masakadza: 7

You can do little or no wrong sometimes and still not get the best results. Luck won't be with you. A couple of high quality rearguard knocks with assured shot making, but he has all of 64 runs to show. His efforts on the first morning, weathering the storm with Verm, made sure that we did not expose our middle order early to the world class bowling unit of SA and that helped us get a decent total in the end. Got out to probably two of the 4 best wicket taking deliveries of the match (Williams to Philander and Morkel to Chakabva being the other two). Did not get to try out his golden arm, and for a pretty safe catcher, it was interesting to not see him in the slips often during this match.

Vusi Sibanda: 6

He had a nightmarish start to the match as expected, getting a duck. Second innings became a cauldron of immense pressure, and he did well to eventually end up as the top scorer there, while a collapse messed up our challenge. Some Vintage Sibanda shots came out of the closet and just when he was looking good for something special, he did what only he does best, throwing it all away. But the way he soaked up the pressure is still commendable. 3 safe catches, but a couple of tough chances dropped in the field. You would expect a little better from one of your iconic fielders too.

Mark Vermeulen: 5

A test comeback as unrealistic as someone coming back to life was complete with a couple of patient, yet scratchy knocks filled with gutsy approach and attractive back foot cover drives. But not enough contributions in the end to stand out, while his efforts to stand his ground with Hammy against hostile bowling on the first morning earns him a lot of respect. Nothing special in the field though.

Brendan Taylor: 7.5

Living up to the billing as the best Zimbabwean cricketer of the current era, a near miss hundred in the first dig highlights Taylor's efforts despite not looking as fluent as we have seen him bat. Some classic Taylor shots came out of the closet as he grew in confidence, but as he admitted himself, not the best shot selection to miss that hundred. A critical failure in the second dig added to the collapse that had begun. Much improved captaincy effort from that ill fated Afghanistan series, and it is also a credit to the bowlers who stuck to the plans so brilliantly.

Regis Chakabva: 3

Possibly the least impactful player of the match. A costly failure in the first innings when the stage was set for him to build on a solid start will not go down well for his future selection, and in the second dig, a more positive and assured approach was cut short by a peach of a delivery by Morkel. Decent in the field as a close in catcher. Could be a case of golden opportunity missed overall to cement his place in the side.

Sean Williams: 7

Victim of a bad umpiring call in the first innings while going as fluently as anyone has been in this test match, while a sensational catch by JP Duminy ensured he did not get to double figures in the second. Like Masakadza, not much wrong from his end, but a failure to knuckle down in the second dig is still not acceptable. Bowled like a work horse and complemented Nyumbu very well, and stuck to his skipper's plans and did not leak too many runs. A couple of wickets were just reward, and that beauty to dismiss Philander his highlight of the match.

Richmond Mutumbami: 7.5

What a guy! He is a star. A bad umpiring error cut his promising innings short in the first dig while a fear of running out of partners made him try adventurous shots in the second to lose the battle eventually. Those cuts and drives against Steyn would remain in memory for a long time to come, as well as those two acrobatic catches. A couple of misses behind the stumps are the only blemishes in an otherwise excellent game for the Rockstar. We can definitely expect a lot more in the future from this dedicated leadership candidate.

Tinashe Panyangara: 7

Bowling workhorse. Bringing out all of his experience and more, gave his everything to ensure that the South Africans don't have it easy when they batted. Stuck to the team plans, bowled consistent line and length, and unfortunate not to get rewarded with wickets. A little disappointing with the bat for the reputation he has for digging in and putting a price tag on his wicket.

Tendai Chatara: 7.5

Leader of the pack reduced himself to a second Panyangara role and bowled with immense accuracy to frustrate the neighbours, giving them very little opportunity to score freely. A wicket in each innings, ensuring we don't lose by 10 wickets, and an enjoyable cameo in the first innings with the bat, again cut short by woeful umpiring. Every time you watch him bowl, your respect for this man goes up a notch.

John Nyumbu: 8

What a debut! Second Zimbabwean spinner to get a 5-for on debut and definitely the best individual performance of the game. Very good control and great courage and patience shown right through his spells of bowling, and batting. This guy surely has a bright future in the longer version of the game, and we surely can't wait to see him operate again in Bangladesh. Half a point for his dance moves too!

Donald Tiripano: 7

His patient efforts with the bat, especially in the second outing as a nightwatchman, earns him more points with the bat than Chakabva. Although not as consistent as Panyangara or Chatara, he did not let too many runs flow when entrusted with the ball, while producing a few unplayable deliveries once in a while. A couple of wickets on debut becoming a just reward for the honest toil right through the match. It will be interesting to observe him as he gets more opportunities at the top flight cricket. Can he sustain this and not fade away like Garwe or Chinouya? Time will tell.

P.S.: A Zimbo fan at work. So, you could see higher than normal ratings :)