Zimbabwe v New Zealand 1st Test

[greg]

New Zealand declared overnight and Zim are 17-4.Mismatch me thinks.

[Andy Mellon]

Indeed! 3 wickets in 4 balls from Franklin and that's only because the hat-trick ball was a no ball! New Zealand are a better side with Franklin and Bond as opening bowlers rather than Martin and Tuffey (as in the first test versus England last year) and would probably be even better with Ian Butler. As you said though, looks like this could be another mis-match.

Paoli's pick for the series, Neil Ferreira was out for 1.

From the commentary on Cricinfo, it sounds like Franklin is bowling brilliantly. Also sounds like Bond's dismissal of Wishart was a quality ball. Good play from NZ so far this morning.

[greg]

Franklin bowled well in England last summer and was the best bowler they had by far having not been picked originally.Chris Martin should stick to his singing

[greg]

28-5 run out now.Oh dear.

[Andy Mellon]

Sounds like Taylor was rather unlucky. Carlisle drives the ball back at Styris (who was bowling) who clips the ball onto the stumps. Taylor out of his ground. Must be one of the most annoying ways to get out. A lot rests on Carlisle, Taibu and Streak. A couple more wickets in quick time, and the Kiwis will think they can finish this in 2 days.

[Andy Mellon]

Oh dear oh dear. Taibu and Streak out in successive balls to.... Chris Martin!! Taibu offers no shot to an inswinger and Streak nicks an awayswinger to the keeper. Martin on a hattrick in his next over.

Poor stuff from Zimbabwe. Yet again.

[Zainub]

just to clarify: the side never actually complained about going to Zim, but most other people in NZ did

Comon! If you are trying to tell me Stephen Fleming and his men didn't actually have any concerns themselves over going to Zimbabwe, then I am frankly not going to believe you. Just because they are told not to make their comments in this regards public doesn't actually change the fact that the Kiwis given they had a choice would rather not want to go.

[greg]

52-8.3 wickets for Martin.Zimbabwe must be bad.

[DaveGillespie]

Chris Martin and Outswinger in the same sentence? Surely not?

[greg]

59 all out.Last wicket was a stumping.Carlisle left stranded on 20*.Why are they still playing international cricket?