Match Thread: Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 1st Test (2nd-6th March)

zimbos_05 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 03, 2021 4:59 am

Jemisi wrote: ↑Wed Mar 03, 2021 2:44 am

Prince isn't great but who else is there to try and hold the top order together?

The criticisms seem fair but until Byrom comes along or something...

I get this point, which is where the criticism has to come of ZC. They need to be active in producing talent and identifying issues, not just be like, "who else do we have?"

jaybro wrote: ↑Wed Mar 03, 2021 2:48 am

I think people need to realise, there isn't a Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden putting on double hundred partnerships opening hte batting back in Harare. Since Zim's re-entry into test cricket 2011, only Tino & Hamilton have looked slightly comfortable opening in Tests, we've had Chari & Chamu before so I'm not feeling too upset with Kasuza & Prince.

I'm not really asking for a big hitting pair, i'm asking for a consistent pair that can knock the ball around and get runs. We don't need a 5rpo pair, but a pair at even 3-4rpo would be good. At the moment, we sometimes fall under 2 with our current lot, and it seems they both just stick to the idea of hunker down and just protect the wicket. That is not how you win cricket matches as an opening pair.

It's good to have a cautious approach at times, but be smart about it. Prince doesn't fill me with much of someone who does that.

eugene wrote: ↑Wed Mar 03, 2021 4:21 am

In their entire test history I don't think Zimbabwe has ever had a reliable opening combination, at least not that I can remember.

We've definitely had quality openers, Flower, Campbell, Johnson, Carlisle. Vermuelen was quality too before the head knock and the arson. Definitely had a lot more confidence in those guys.

Interesting to note that Raza and Hammy hold the record for highest partnership in ODI for the 1st wicket, and highest in test for the 2nd wicket.

We have had good openers for sure, but never a reliable combination.

paranoidandroid wrote: ↑Wed Mar 03, 2021 2:52 pm

It's a bit of a weird win for me because it was almost so easy that there wasn't time to learn very much.

Takeaways for me:

1. Sean Williams is class and well capable of leading Zimbabwe at this level;

2. Muzarabani and Nyauchi look like test-capable seamers.

3. I think this 8 + 3 lineup can work, particularly because with the addition of Wes and the development of Burl Zimbabwe now have four pretty legitimate spin options that add a lot of variety as well. I'm not saying they're all great bowlers (middling at best really) but with four of them there you've got plenty of options in case one isn't firing. It's an interesting way of structuring a team and I think it will help keep Zimbabwe in games.

It sucks for Wes to have missed out but he'll have other opportunities.

Also, I think history will look pretty kindly on Tiripano's contribution to Zimbabwean cricket. Sure he's pedestrian pace, but he bowls dry and adds a bit with the bat. I dunno why, but he also just seems like a good bloke and puts in for the team.

Also also, I was worried Zimbabwe would be stiffed by dodgy umpiring decisions without DRS but fortunately that wasn't the case (sure some were a bit borderline but no absolute shockers and I don't think either team was majorly disadvantaged).

I like Tiripano, he seems to have a good work ethic and the grit that Zimbabwean cricketers of old had.

Well three young blokes (Wez, Tari, Burl) are now being seriously considered for the side and then there's Mysers and Shumba to come in as well. Hopefully in the future Nick Welch could make an appearance as well

Excellent win.

I really thought this would be a close series even if both teams were at full strength, but that Afghanistan would probably win 2-0. That ZIM thrashed them sans BRMT and Ervine and KJ and Chatara bodes well. I suspect the boys are quite disappointed that playing so few Tests, when they finally get to play one its all over inside 2 days 😂 But I would imagine its a disappointment Zimbabwe would like to enjoy haha.

Congrats to all the fans here. To be honest I was impressed with the seamers, mostly by Nyauchi and how much movement he was getting. I'm not a fan of his Chigumbura-Madziva action, but the way he was swinging the ball in Asian conditions left me impressed. Blessing too, did well, and his height and bounce really did cause the Afghans problems. I hope the big 4 guys who missed out are fit by the next series vs Pakistan and Bangladesh.

My XI going forward:

1) Kasuza - Not sure how good he is, but should get more chances

2) Chari - if Prince is struggling against Afghanistan and Bangladesh, how would he fare vs India or Australia?

3) Taylor - the best batters should bat at 3/4

4) Williams - deserves the promotion now

5) Ervine - I think he can do his best work here

6) Raza - needs to get his s**t together and stop throwing his wicket away

7) Wesley

8) Chakabva - played another solid innings in a big result

9) Blessing - can at least hold a bat

10) Jarvis - still the #1 seamer for me

11) Nyauchi/Chatara - depends on fitness for Chats, but the way Nyauchi was swinging the ball, he'll be a handful

Guys like Tari, Burl, Moor would make up my bench.

^ Added benefit of my XI, is there's a lot of fluidity in that batting lineup. Chakabva can be moved up depending on match situation/need.

1) Who were those people;

2) What did they do with the real ZImbabwe; and

3) Can we keep this lot..?

maehara wrote: ↑Wed Mar 03, 2021 10:04 pm

1) Who were those people;

2) What did they do with the real ZImbabwe; and

3) Can we keep this lot..?

Who are you? 😂

maehara wrote: ↑Wed Mar 03, 2021 10:04 pm

1) Who were those people;

2) What did they do with the real ZImbabwe; and

3) Can we keep this lot..?

G'day!

zimfan1 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 03, 2021 10:29 pm

Who are you? 😂

I am the ghost of admins past...! WHHHOOOOOOO!!

3,600 mod alerts. Thanks, y'all. :cry:

Kriterion_BD wrote: ↑Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:50 pm

Excellent win.

I really thought this would be a close series even if both teams were at full strength, but that Afghanistan would probably win 2-0. That ZIM thrashed them sans BRMT and Ervine and KJ and Chatara bodes well. I suspect the boys are quite disappointed that playing so few Tests, when they finally get to play one its all over inside 2 days 😂 But I would imagine its a disappointment Zimbabwe would like to enjoy haha.

The only player Afghanistan were missing was Rashid Khan, so let's rephrase this "If Zimbabwe were full strength & Afghanistan had Rashid" Afghanistan are such a one man team it's not funny, but even on this deck I think Zimbabwe still win because of the assistance the seamers got, imagine if KJ & Chatara played, they would have bowled them out for 50 both times 😂 😂 😂

I think in the end the pitch & the absence of Rashid obviously worked into Zimbabwe's favour, but heck that's cricket you need to play the conditions accordingly, and Afghanistan either stupid or ignorant to A) Only play One seamer & B) Chose to bat first after seeing the pitch. If Zimbabwe were in any doubt about the make up/ balance of their lineup, once they saw the pitch it was clear, a 8-3 lineup with three seamers was the way to go.

This is Zimbabwe's 13th Test win after 29-years of Test cricket, I don't care how it came or who against, let's savour it and enjoy it

I have said this before that Afghanistan are a team of T20 hacks. In the longest format, Zimbabwe are better than Afghans and Ireland, far better.

Afghanistan, like Bangladesh of earlier days, keep chopping and changing their players, without allowing a group of players to settle down, this happens when you do not know what is your best combination, also Afghans focus more, almost entirely on shorter formats.

At least what I like about Ireland is that they value their test status and want to play more test cricket.