Zimbabwe Tour of South Africa

[Andy Mellon]

To support my case, here's an article just published on the BBC on Neil Johnson's opinions

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4326517.stm

Seems to be very much in line with my own opinions and those of Dave Houghton. I'm sure these soundbites from Houghton and Johnson won't be popular with the ZCU though!

[oracle]

hi lets see if Zim can get to 3 day's, its going to take a great show for ZIM to bat for longer then a day !!!!

[Andy Mellon]

The second test has now got underway. The line-ups for the two sides are:

Umpires: B Doctrove, D J Harper
South Africa: G C Smith, A B de Villiers, J A Rudolph, J H Kallis, H H Gibbs, A G Prince, M V Boucher, N Boje, M Zondeki, C K Langeveldt, A Nel
Zimbabwe: S Matsikenyeri, B G Rogers, D D Ebrahim, H Masakadza, B R M Taylor, T Taibu, E Chigumbura, H H Streak, A M Blignaut, A G Cremer, C B Mpofu

The Saffers have rested Ntini, and Pollock is out through injury. Therefore, a few changes for them with Zondeki, Nel, and Prince coming in.

South Africa have inserted Zimbabwe, who have lost the early wicket of Rogers to Nel. Hoping for a bit more fight from the Zimbos today. Another embarrasment could spell the end for test cricket in Zimbabwe for the short term. Current score, 15/1 with Nel and Langeveldt now bowling.

Also, I've never heard of the umpire Billy Doctrove. Looked him up on Cricinfo and found out he's a West Indian who's standing in only his 4th test. He's 49 years old and also stood in the 1st test of this series.

[Paoli]

7-122, about 20 minutes ago

[oracle]

with only Boje left to bowl, Nel ,Kallis and Langeveld all off the park !!! Mabye 1 hour left.

[Paoli]

Score please Oracle??? Cricinfos page won't come up!!

[Andy Mellon]

161-7 with Smith and Boje bowling, Paoli. Blignaut's hit a six straight down the ground of Boje and has 37 off 31 balls whilst Streak has 9 off 39.

[Paoli]

Nice......Ecb.co.uk is the only page i can get up...Blignaut's having a bit of a hot streak with the bat at the moment

[Andy Mellon]

At least Zimbabwe are making a better game of it than the 1st test. I was concerned when they lost 3 wickets with the score on 115 that they might suffer another ignominious batting collapse.

Question is, how much is the improved Zimbabwe performance down to the fact that Pollock and Ntini are not playing - and it seems that Langeveldt and Nel are not bowling too many overs.

[Paoli]

Well i remember Zimbabwe gave the last ODI a tilt, when RSA had no Pollock, Ntini, Nel, Smith, Kallis and possibly some more...They can handle Zondeki and Langeveldt....Kallis is the biggest threat however.