Match Thread : Sri Lanka Tour Of Zimbabwe 2020 | 1st Test | Zimbabwe V/s Sri Lanka | Harare

SpitfiresKent wrote: ↑Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:47 am

Strange decision to bat first considering the overcast conditions. I would've picked Mumba over Ndlovu.

Stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhQy3mfa3Q4

Pitch looks flat and dry not the green monster we were hoping for

The side is

Kasuza

Prince

BT

Ervine

Williams

Raza

Regis

Tiripano

KJ

Nyauchi

Ndlovu

Keen to see how Nyauchi bowls never seen him before

It is genuinely appalling that some of you are complaining about this. I for one am loving that we are at least still batting. You crack it when we get out playing recklessly and then get annoyed when we bat slowly and cautiously. Rediculous. Be glad that we aren't out of the game and watch it. It's not ideal but I would rather watch us go down showing some fight and commitment to batting time.

strikerlube wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2020 11:09 am

It is genuinely appalling that some of you are complaining about this. I for one am loving that we are at least still batting. You crack it when we get out playing recklessly and then get annoyed when we bat slowly and cautiously. Rediculous. Be glad that we aren't out of the game and watch it. It's not ideal but I would rather watch us go down showing some fight and commitment to batting time.

Fair point.

strikerlube wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2020 11:09 am

It is genuinely appalling that some of you are complaining about this. I for one am loving that we are at least still batting. You crack it when we get out playing recklessly and then get annoyed when we bat slowly and cautiously. Rediculous. Be glad that we aren't out of the game and watch it. It's not ideal but I would rather watch us go down showing some fight and commitment to batting time.

Well said

foreignfield wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2020 10:41 am

ZIMDOGGY wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2020 10:30 am
To use an extreme example. Let’s say zim bag a full two days for 50 runs only. It would gain nothing as Sri Lanka would only need 4 overs to swing at it.

To use an equally extreme example: Let's say Zim bat at 5 rpo and are all out after 10--where's the gain?

Both result in same scenario. Exactly.

But then there’s the variable of maximum return.

To go at 5 runs an over, entertains the possibility of an unbeatable score.

To go at 1 run an over. That’s your ceiling. The best case scenario is not that great.

Another strange analogy.

If I handed you 50 euros, and said it’s yours to keep, but if you returned it to me and forfeited that 50 euros, I will let you draw from a hat, with a 1/6 chance you’ll get 10k euro. I’d be surprised you don’t take that gamble. You’d have to little confidence in yourself to not take the slightly tougher option with a much better payoff.

Kriterion_BD wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2020 10:18 am

foreignfield wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2020 10:09 am

Howzat? Do you mean that it's more difficult for Dickwella if he has more time to knock off the runs?

260-5 at lunch, not a comfortable position but much better than getting bowled out by Tea on day one.

Assuming some overs get lost due to rain, ZIM batting overly slowly so far can always backfire. I am usually not a proponent of defensive batting in the first innings or on Day 1-2 of a Test. So I disagree quite vehemently with the "I don't mind if they go at 2 an over as long as they don't lose wickets" mantra. Tests are 99% of the time drawn with a volume of runs, which take time to score as opposed to the other way around or as some people suggest, on the basis of time alone.

Suppose ZIM score 350 by batting 150 overs (2.33 rpo). If SL then bats for 150 overs and put on 500 (3.33 rpo), Zimbabwe has 100-150 overs to bat out for a draw, whilst facing a deficit of 150 runs, if it doesn't rain. If ZIM bats 100 overs at 3 an over (itself a tall ask for the 3rd innings), thats a lead of 150, with SL now having 30-50 overs to chase that down.

Its one thing to bat defensively in the 3rd or 4th innings attempting to draw a match, but its different to do so from day 1.

I don't really have much of a problem with the slow approach because if Sri Lanka get 500 off 150 overs as you say, the problem is not the batting but bowling if we are getting hit for 500. At least if we get a score by batting slow we give ourselves a chance as it's not every day a team gets 500 and sri lanka will be batting last.

strikerlube wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2020 11:09 am

It is genuinely appalling that some of you are complaining about this. I for one am loving that we are at least still batting. You crack it when we get out playing recklessly and then get annoyed when we bat slowly and cautiously. Rediculous. Be glad that we aren't out of the game and watch it. It's not ideal but I would rather watch us go down showing some fight and commitment to batting time.

Nah.

Why does it have to be extreme in both directions?

Reckless is stupid.

Batting like a rock on a batting deck, tail Enders can do that. And then we crumble and we are back where we started after a shitload of boredom.not only that. The top wickets fell after the run rate died completely. That affected the guys mentally.

Now If Raza gets out now we are looking at 300.

What is wrong with a cautiously healthy 3 runs an over RR?

History has shown to us in practicality, slowing the run rate doesn’t do a lot to retain wickets for significant time to be effective.

I am going to give a pass to the openers because they were no doubt nervous about getting their shot. But it’s not praiseworthy beyond that.

I honestly don't get the argument. Let's just wait and see what the final score is. I'm not a fan of a "paralysis by analysis" approach. Let's see if it works or not. The only thing I know is that Zinbabwe does not have the ability as a team to bat the way you guys see as ideal.That's the sad truth

How many times did you see Hami take a positive approach uptop and go out for a good looking 25? Maybe that's what you guys want.

Russell Tiffin at the ground talking to Grant Flower. Looks like he's retired from umpiring.

Good setup for Tiripano. He can block and score the odd single and let Raza play his shots. We can still something close to 400

Good, Tiffin was an appalling umpire