6th Videocon ODI: Zimbabwe vs. India at Harare, 4th September

[Paoli]

250 by the Zimbos batting first! Sublime effort. There is a realistic chance that we may win.

http://www.cricinfo.com/db/NEW/LIVE/...04SEP2005.html

Brilliant stuff from Tibbly Taibu and Charles Coventry. The main stumbling block here is no Heath Streak...hopefully Blignaut picks up enough wickets to cancel that fact. Coventry 74, Taibu 71, Blignaut quickfire 41. We could've got to 270 had Ewing and a tailender made a few quick ones, but beggars can't be choosers.

Again looking at the bowling, it looks weak without Streak and another who would serve us well in Ed Rainsford. But; Blignaut is a noted wickettaker and even if he goes for a few, he can take wickets; as can Ireland.

Come on boys! Give the crowd a bit to cheer about in the last game!

[Prince EWS]

I really think Zim needed a bigger total. The pitch seems pretty flat (although we cant really judge that until we see both teams bat on it...) and the big Streak factor is working against Zimbabwe. The Indian spinners got hammered, which is also bad news for Zimbabwe, as they have 3 of them in their lineup. Although again, it could have just been the quality of the batting and bowling rather than the pitch.

I thought 275 would have been needed, but 250 is definately defendable. The key will be the opening bowlers. Utseya and Ewing can do a very good job in the middle overs, but if the opening bowlers have been hammered, Utseya and Ewing often do as well, so a good start is very important.

Coventry looks like a find for this series though. I saw his first ODI innings a while back, against England, and he looked REALLY out of his depth. Horribly balanced and played away from his body. But hes obviously fixed that up judging by this series. Taibu also played himself into form by hammering the medium pacers early, which was good to see. If Blignaut and Coventry had stayed at the crease for a little longer, a huge total was on the cards, but it wasnt to be. 250 is a good score though.

[Prince EWS]

I said a good start was needed, and it appears I will get the exact opposite.

The first over was horrible and the second over wasnt much better.

[Paoli]

I happened to see highlights of Coventry's 102 against Pakistan A recently. That was the best innings I've seen a Zimbabwean play since Ervine's 100 at Adelaide against India. 10-0 after 1.4. Mahwire went for eight and unfortunately doesn't seem able to cut it at this level.

I reckon Rogers and Coventry could serve vital roles in Zimbabwe's middle order in the next five or so years.

As i post, it is 15-0 off two overs. If Streak was here, it'd be six or so. I still think he should've played despite his niggle, to try and give our supporters something to cheer about.

260+ is what it should've been. But Blignaut is in a two match purple patch and Zimbabwe have matured greatly since the first match. It started with atrocious bowling which was fixed up; then atrocious batting which has been fixed up. If we do what we did in the last two matches, we should be able to win.

Then again; chasing a total is a bit easier for a quality team like India.

[Prince EWS]

Mahwire went for eight and unfortunately doesn't seem able to cut it at this level.

Its seems that way, but Id give him time. He has bowled good spells - he has it in him. He moves the ball around more than anyone bar Streak and maybe Strang, and his line in generally good. He struggles with length though, and at his pace, he cant afford to do so. I think he should be persisted with.

I happened to see highlights of Coventry's 102 against Pakistan A recently.

Where did you manage to get a hold of that??

[Paoli]

Well it seems your a visionary and I spoke before the horse had bolted. He cleaned up Sehwag!

Edit: A friend from Zimbabwe is quite a keen cricket follower and he sent me a little video that he recorded.

[Prince EWS]

And just as I give Mahwire a wrap, he strikes! More luck than anything, but still....

[Paoli]

That wicket has luckily stopped the flow of runs. Surely one of the blokes shouldn't have much trouble in getting Ganguly out? Mahwire's wicket has given him the confidence to bowl alot better.

[Prince EWS]

Surely one of the blokes shouldn't have much trouble in getting Ganguly out?

Well picked. Ganguly gone! Good catch by Vusi. India 2/23.

[Paoli]

LOL! The Cricinfo comment goes like this: Ganguly had all the time in the world and could have place it anywhere but he just went hard at it and never bothered to keep it down.

Good from Anth Ireland. Eight wickets in four matches. Rarely do Zim bowlers make such a presence early on. One for the future.