Zimbabwe v New Zealand 1st Test

[greg]

Zimbabwe have done a Ponting.After winning the toss and electing to field they chased leather all day with NZ ending on 452-9.Vettori 127,McCullum 111,Fleming 73,Bond 41*.

[Zainub]

Harare Sports Club, Stumps Day 1: NZ 452/9

No one quite seems to have noticed but NZ are not only actually in Zimbabwe (eventually after all the complaining and everything that you expect a side like NZ to do) but they also started playing 'test' cricket today. And (shock , horror) they were actually in a little bit of trouble to begin with. At one point they had lost half their side for 100 odd runs after Zimbabwe had won the toss and decided to field first, but they recovered brilliantly in the end with 100s from McCullum and Vettori, and a 70 odd from Flemming as well. Shane Bond, returning to test cricket after more then 2 years is not out on 41, and might be the next tail end batsmen in line to boast a test half century. The last session produced over 200 runs just in case you're interested.

Must have been fun to watch, if any one did at all, and if any got it at all in the first place...who has the television rights for this?

[Zainub]

Silly me, I've started another thread on this not knowing one existed already. Can one of the mods join the two please, thank you.

I though it was called doing a Hussain...

Anyway, in fairness, Taibu might argue his decesion was right, NZ after all lost their first 5 wickets for not that many (Zimbabwe were first 5 down for 100 odd, later 6 down for 200 odd and eventually 8 down for 350 odd) with a little bit more application NZ could have easily been all out for something like 250-300 which wouldn't have looked that bad.

[Microshocker]

I saw the last 10 odd overs on Star Sports/ESPN. Bond really gave the Zimbabwenites a butt whoopin. I didn't know he could bat that well. As for Heath Streak, he's half the bowler he once was

[The Phantom Ram]

Originally Posted by Microshocker

As for Heath Streak, he's half the bowler he once was

He did fantastic for Warwickshire this season in England.

[Mr Kiwi]

just to clarify: the side never actually complained about going to Zim, but most other people in NZ did. Especially polititians (but then we have an election in a month or so and it's not rugby so they knew that the greater public wouldnt' care)

anyway - to the cricket. not a bad days play after what was a pretty bad start apparently. good to see mccullum and vettori get some runs - i think they're both more talented than they often get credited for. another top order failure is a bit disturbing.

NZ are still searching for an opening partnership, maybe vincent should bat down the order and flem open?

[CD Stags]

Bu they weren't. Thanks to the fastest ever 100 by a New Zealander to Dan Vettori (82 balls) and some classy hitting from Baz McCullum. I'M ABSOLUTELY FIZZING TO SEE BOND BOWL. He's going to cut through 'em. only 3 hours away. Hopefully Marto can stick around long enough for Bondy to get his 50 (maybe an over should do it)

[CD Stags]

no Flem should not open. BUT MATTHEW SINCLAIR SHOULD. I'm still bitter over the selectors decision to leave him out. He is better than Vincent, Marshall (James), Cumming and Papps and has proven himself internationally with 2 doubles hundreds and a 150

[Doink]

Yeah, I cant understand why they always forget about Sinclair. He's done enough to atleast be in the Test-XI.

[greg]

The Sinclair thing is a strange one.His face obviously doesn't fit for some reason but it can't be anything to do with ability as he has a better record than his rivals.