After the Windies tour almost everybody here agreed that we can't play spin and we needed to pluck some unknown youngsters from the subcontinent to play in franchise cricket. Maybe now it's a better time to reasses:
True, we struggle against mystery bowlers our boys have never faced before, Mendis, Narine ... so did most international sides when those guys first turned up. Exposure will help.
It's also true that we struggle against world class spinners like Ajmal (exponent of the best doosra in the business) or Shillingford, who would have run through many a better side the way he bowled on those pitches. Frankly these guys are the Steyns of spin-bowling, they can rip you apart on any given day and there is not an awful lot you can do about it.
However, against coventional spin we fare much better. The Bangladeshi lefties have lost their threat, Taylor and co. toyed with Patel almost at will, and Vettori only got amongst the wickets when we lost our senses on the last day at Queens (sweeping him out of the rough).
The one area which needs adressing is how to play the other spinner, a Samuels or Hafeez. This is purely a mental thing, to only play the ball and the bowler and forget who's turning them square from the other end. But I reckon it is not easy to do, especially when a collapse is on.
Bringing in overseas spinners sounds like a good idea, but I doubt there are that many accomplished mystery spinners lurking in the subcontinental woods (outside their FC set-up, as the seasons run parallel).
I personally think a batting coach is a better investment. In the Windies GF could have worked with BT on a strategy against Shillingford instead of just talking to him on the phone.
... mumblings over ... any thoughts?
Discussion
Playing spin
Discussion
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
I agree that the issue is how we play the more basic spinners. Marlon Samuels took a whole ton of wickets against us which is just unforgiveable. That is equivalent to Sean Williams running through the top order of another team. It seems once we struggle against one spinner, suddenly all the spinners become unplayable.
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
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Member actions
ShareZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
And remember what Dilshan did to us? It is one thing getting knocked over by Ajmal, another by the part timers.
The Third Innings
Member actions
ShareZCF OriginalVeteran
Dave Houghton invented the art of 'reverse sweep'. Sir Andy Flower made it his trademark. Dougie Marillier invented the scoop which is, not correctly, associated with dilshan now. Our very own Craig Ervine struggled in his first few matches in Bangladesh and people declared he CAN NOT play spin. The gentleman improved on his work ethics and by a strong will power he played spin so effectively against WI. It's a matter of will power and Zimbabweans have done it again and again.
I would also like to state that during the Pak series, Tino Mawoyo played brilliantly and hung on despite Ajmal threat which is creditable.
I would also like to state that during the Pak series, Tino Mawoyo played brilliantly and hung on despite Ajmal threat which is creditable.
Zim fanatic since 1987
Member actions
Share