2nd Test: Zimbabwe vs. New Zealand at Bulawayo, 15-19 August

[greg]

Zimbabwe have done well today really.231 is below par but not too bad after their start.NZ 48-2 at close.

[Paoli]

Good overnight bowling, but Mahwire got thumped this morning for 56 off 10 overs; not acceptable at this level of cricket. Tatenda's knock was awesome. Oh how I'd loved to see him make 30 more. We need to knock over these two quickly and that means bringing Streak into the attack with Cremer at the other end.

[Collyisamackem]

They should still be beaten by an innings, but what about this over!

End of over 61 (21 runs) Zimbabwe 206/9 (trail by 47 runs)
CS Martin 12-2-47-0 - City End
NB Mahwire 49* (33b 8x4 2x6) CB Mpofu 3* (17b)

60.6 Martin to Mahwire, one run, on lg stump, turned to deep midwicket
60.5 Martin to Mahwire, FOUR, full in length, drives it over the top of
mid-off for four more!
60.4 Martin to Mahwire, SIX, again on leg stump, heaved away to deep
midwicket for a big six!
60.3 Martin to Mahwire, FOUR, driven to deep ciover for four
60.2 Martin to Mahwire, SIX, short ball, goes for the pull shot, top
edge to deep midwicket for a big six!
60.1 Martin to Mahwire, no run

[greg]

If we had to guess who had bowled the over we would have all been correct.
Innings defeat in 3 days as i predicted.You Aussies better watch out,Bond has a better bowling average than McGrath now so the Kiwis might start some banter about that.

[Paoli]

INNINGS defeat or not, it was a more spirited showing. Preferably I would've liked to see at least 40-50 runs set for NZ to chase. We've beaten one problem; we can get a quality unit out for less than 500. If our batting can get up to a 350-bordering on 400 standard, with a centurion a game, then we may win the odd test match but more importantly take them to late on the fourth/fifth day.

Heath Streak played well for 4-73 with the ball, but our batting remains a problem. Guys like Carlisle and Wishart clearly are below par and perhaps have run their race. I'm hoping for one ODI win.

[Andy Mellon]

Interesting to see Chris Mpofu run out in this game after 2 stumpings in the last game. Does he not know where the crease is?

Seriously though, 3 run outs for Zimbabwe in the 2nd innings is a pretty poor show.

Good to see Bond take a ten wicket haul after so long out. He won't play another test match for 7 months, which is when West Indies tour NZ

[greg]

The 7 month break gives him time to get fit after his hard series here

[CD Stags]

Haha, i like it, can't wait 'til the ODI's. Zimbabwe won't win a thing. McCullum is the 2nd best keeper in the world by the way. Better than Sangakara and certainly Taibu

[Paoli]

McCullum as good as Taibu? You must be dreamin', brother. Although McCullum has two centuries to Taibu's one, it doesn't make alot of difference when you consider other things.

i) Taibu has been keeping for Zimbabwe since 2001; McCullum since 2004
ii) McCullum-one century each against Bangla and Zim; if Tatenda played Zim he'd have bucketloads of tons.
iii) Taibu's glovework is the most improved in the world and better than McCullum's.
iv) McCullum isn't better than Sanga. Sanga has two test double centuries.
v) Taibu captains his side.

[CD Stags]

Originally Posted by Paoli69

McCullum as good as Taibu? You must be dreamin', brother. Although McCullum has two centuries to Taibu's one, it doesn't make alot of difference when you consider other things.

i) Taibu has been keeping for Zimbabwe since 2001; McCullum since 2004
ii) McCullum-one century each against Bangla and Zim; if Tatenda played Zim he'd have bucketloads of tons.
iii) Taibu's glovework is the most improved in the world and better than McCullum's.
iv) McCullum isn't better than Sanga. Sanga has two test double centuries.
v) Taibu captains his side.

i) McCullum has had experience and success against the best namely the Aussies
ii) McCullum has been dismissed a few times in the 90's. Namely his 99 i think it was against England at Lords (i think on debut)
iii) McCullum never makes a mitake with the gloves, he is great behind the stumps
iv) Fair point
v) And what great success he has lead them to