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Utseya opening the batting - a good move in hindsight?

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Opening post

http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-do ... 59557.html

When Sibanda was too ill to open, Utseya opened and put on 5 off 13 balls. He fell in the 6th over with the team total at 13.

Does anyone know the story behind why it was Utseya? I seem to remember from either commentary or an article after the game that Utseya was the only one to put his hand up for it but I might be mistaken.

Was it a good call to open with Utseya?

I reckon it was. The gamble didn't pay big dividends (it would have gone done in Zimbabwe cricket folklore if he'd made a battling half century, for example), but I like to think that those few overs he occupied the crease may have been useful in taking some shine off the new ball and protecting Hami who ended up making a pretty useful 44 in the context of the game.

Overshadowed by Vitori and Chatara, Mutumbami is probably the unsung hero of that match with his second innings 29, but that is a story for another post :)
I can't agree with him opening in test matches. I would at least entertain the idea of him opening in ODIs though. He's a very busy batsmen when at the crease. Has a good strike rate, is able to find quick singles and keep the scoreboard ticking over. Not saying it would work but I wouldn't be completely against the idea.
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I thought it was a good tactic moving Utseya and Panyangara up the order in that innings as extended the depth of our batting although it didn't work out we were still bowled out for under 200 .....

I reckon Utseya will be more suited batting in tests more than limited over matches as he has a good defence and plays pretty straight ....
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
As a one off move, it was a masterstroke, although it was not one that was thought out, but out of desperation. I had said that back then too. The cushion it gave proved of great worth as Tino and Hamilton built that crucial 100+ partnership that turned the match around. Idea would have been to end the day one down, but Tino got out for a soft dismissal, Panya the night watchman was an additional loss, and Masakadza got a rough decision that threatened our hold on the match. Thanks to some runs from Taylor and Richie the next day, we could consolidate on this big partnership.

But it is not right to send Prosper up there to the slaughterhouse regularly. He is a worthy nightwatchman, but not a regular opener.
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Just looking at the scorecard from Zimbabwe's most recent Test match (saviour this moment guys, because we can currently say our last Test match was a win :)) I was reminded of this.

Any predictions for tactical masterstrokes in the upcoming Test against South Africa?

I'll go with Taylor bringing himself on to bowl, and taking a breakthrough wicket.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Mark Vermeulen to give Dale Steyn the crazy-eyes and send him running back to the pavilion.
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
Legend
Chatara running towards the square-leg umpire, Morkel following him with a nasty bouncer that scrapes the umpire's hat. Morne gets evicted, SA leave the field in protest, Zimbabwe win!
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
I am not sure it was a good move.

We can say for sure that it wasn't a move that cost us the game, but I am not sure that it was brilliant.
The Third Innings
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After a strong batting start from South Africa BRMT brings on Williams who takes 3 quick wickets and finishes with a 5- for ....
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