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[Match Thread] Zimbabwe A v South Africa A: 2nd 'A' Test

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Opening post


Conant wrote:

Kriterion_BD wrote:

grant wrote:This is ridiculous.... I hope they don't prepare a similar pitch for the New Zealand Test.


This is how Bangladesh has made steady progress up the Test rankings table. At the start of 2013 we were last place (Zimbabwe weren't on the table, but had a higher rating than Bangladesh). I believe Bangladesh had a rating of 2 or 3 points, maximum based on the following results from 2010:

0-2 loss vs India

0-2 loss vs England

0-1 loss @ NZ (one off Test)

0-2 loss @ England

0-1 loss @ Zimbabwe (one off Test)

0-1 loss vs West Indies

0-2 loss vs Pakistan

0-2 loss vs West Indies

So from 2010 to 2012 just a single draw vs WI and that was due to 2 days being rained off (although we had a first innings lead). But from 2013, Bangladesh got up to its current rating of 57 points in basically 2 years time.

0-1 loss @ Sri Lanka

1-1 draw @ Zimbabwe

0-0 draw vs New Zealand

0-1 loss vs Sri Lanka

0-2 loss @ West Indies

3-0 win vs Zimbabwe

0-1 loss vs Pakistan

0-0 draw vs India (one off Test)

0-0 draw vs South Africa (first innings lead in the first Test)

Most of these draws have been on dead flat tracks. Its a good way to earn valuable rankings points as well as instill some self belief into the batsmen. Of course, when facing Test class attacks, no matter how flat the pitch, discipline and temperament are important as well as decent technique. A talented batsman like Anamul Haque, on these same pitches has a batting average of 10, because his technique is woeful.

The trade off of course is that your bowlers will never have a chance to get you a Test win, like they did vs Pakistan in 2013, and nearly so against NZ in 2011.


Good point. I still see Zimbabwe posting just 250 on a flat top such as this one and conceding well over 500.


Zimbabwe A or Zimbabwe? ZIM A are nearly to 250 already...although you have to feel with the imminent collapse they will probably not get much more than 350 tomorrow.

The national team in actual Tests could possibly get draws but they need better batsman than Sibanda, Chigumbura etc.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
The problem with our batsmen is they lack patience and temperament and will still get themselves out, even when playing on a road. If our bowlers were more threatening we could prepare minefields.
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Veteran

eugene wrote:

Flakeman wrote:Haha no way they all bowl over 140... Garwe is nippy, but Mid 130s nippy at best. Havnt seen vitori bowl with his new action but wasnt really ever thaat quick. Quickest i remember any bowling speed of ours in the last 10 years was in 2009 when Jarvis bowled vs SA and was getting them over 146+. Then got injured and started bowling early 130s.


I am just poking fun at another forumite who is claiming Aliseni is 150 and a whole bunch of other guys in the 140s.


I know bro haha I was referring to one of the previous posts.
Veteran

Kriterion_BD wrote:

Conant wrote:

grant wrote:This is ridiculous.... I hope they don't prepare a similar pitch for the New Zealand Test.


This is how Bangladesh has made steady progress up the Test rankings table. At the start of 2013 we were last place (Zimbabwe weren't on the table, but had a higher rating than Bangladesh). I believe Bangladesh had a rating of 2 or 3 points, maximum based on the following results from 2010:

0-2 loss vs India

0-2 loss vs England

0-1 loss @ NZ (one off Test)

0-2 loss @ England

0-1 loss @ Zimbabwe (one off Test)

0-1 loss vs West Indies

0-2 loss vs Pakistan

0-2 loss vs West Indies

So from 2010 to 2012 just a single draw vs WI and that was due to 2 days being rained off (although we had a first innings lead). But from 2013, Bangladesh got up to its current rating of 57 points in basically 2 years time.

0-1 loss @ Sri Lanka

1-1 draw @ Zimbabwe

0-0 draw vs New Zealand

0-1 loss vs Sri Lanka

0-2 loss @ West Indies

3-0 win vs Zimbabwe

0-1 loss vs Pakistan

0-0 draw vs India (one off Test)

0-0 draw vs South Africa (first innings lead in the first Test)

Most of these draws have been on dead flat tracks. Its a good way to earn valuable rankings points as well as instill some self belief into the batsmen. Of course, when facing Test class attacks, no matter how flat the pitch, discipline and temperament are important as well as decent technique. A talented batsman like Anamul Haque, on these same pitches has a batting average of 10, because his technique is woeful.

The trade off of course is that your bowlers will never have a chance to get you a Test win, like they did vs Pakistan in 2013, and nearly so against NZ in 2011.


Good point. I still see Zimbabwe posting just 250 on a flat top such as this one and conceding well over 500.


Zimbabwe A or Zimbabwe? ZIM A are nearly to 250 already...although you have to feel with the imminent collapse they will probably not get much more than 350 tomorrow.

The national team in actual Tests could possibly get draws but they need better batsman than Sibanda, Chigumbura etc.[/quote]

I'm talking about the 1st Test in three weeks time, if they prepare another table top like this.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Bulawayo is generally much flatter than Harare anyways, so I wouldn't be surprised if its a flat track and NZ rolls up 450 or even 500 plus. The test will be if Zimbabwe can get a first innings total close to whatever NZ will get.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
ZCF OriginalVeteran
I agree.Test cricket gives you the option of playing for a draw and it could be a decent strategy. we can complain about flat tracks but I know for sure if we prepare a lively wicket we will definitely lose because our batsmen are simply not good enough and bowlers are also not test winners.it looks ridiculous seeing the opposition easily post 500 but it can catch them offguard when our batsmen dig deep like the first game.that is why SA 'A' changed their strategy in this game and scored runs as quickly as possible. a draw is not a bad result in test cricket.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
^Not at all. Its a unique aspect of Test cricket and I think there is value in it.

A draw is like a "win" for the weaker side, and a veritable "loss" for the stronger side. The respective fans see it that way, the ICC rankings reflect it also in terms of points gained/lost, and the players themselves will also see it that. When teams tour Zimababwe or Bangladesh, they expect to win 2-0 and anything less is considered a failure.

The only issue with drawn Tests, is that neutral fans wouldn't be interested...but its Test cricket, how many people care about it to begin with anyways? So thats a moot argument, imo.

I just hope there is a meaningful Test league instituted.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
I want wins, not draws.
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Well if its just a toss up between wins and draws, of course. But you have realize there is also the possibility of losses. Well, there are ties too, but super duper rare.

But it would be foolish to discount the prospects of a draw. Bangladesh have yet to win a single Test match against top class opposition, yet with dead pitches and a plethora of draws, they gone from well behind Zimbabwe in 2013, to within striking distance of West Indies, and even Sri Lanka in essentially 2 years. At the rate those teams are falling, its only a matter of time.

Zimbabwe could at least try to do the same.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
ZCF Hall of Famer

eugene wrote:I want wins


Following the wrong team, sadly.
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