Zimbabwe's Greatest Moment

[Paoli]

Just reminiscing for a sec, when I was living in Zimbo between 96-98, I had the pleasure of watching a couple of ODI's from this series. It was Zimbabwe vs. England, 96-97.

Nobody ever expected Zimbabwe to give England a challenge, but as it turned out, Zim won the ODI series 3-0 and drew the test series; coming mighty close to winning it.

The good old days. Zimbabwe vs. England, 96-97.

[Occasional Fan]

No question about it, Paoli: Zimbabwe were once a good team - I saw them knock spots off England in a ODI at Cape Town in 2000 as well. It's a great shame to see how quickly they have plummeted to the bottom of the heap, and sadly I think it will be a long while before they are making any kind of real recovery.

[Paoli]

No doubt; it will be a long while if it ever happens, they need to develop bona fide stars by reaching out to both communities; black and white.

But, lets remember the good old days. Have a look at the tour summary; I couldn't believe the results.

Date Venue Opposition Result (Margin)
================================================== ==========
30 Nov Harare Districts abandoned
01 Dec Harare President's XI lost (5 wkts)
03-06 Dec Harare Mashonaland lost (3 wkts)
08 Dec Bulawayo Matabeleland won (59 runs)
10-13 Dec Bulawayo Matabeleland won (115 runs)
15 Dec Bulawayo ZIMBABWE ODI 1 lost (2 wkts)
18-22 Dec Bulawayo ZIMBABWE T1 drawn
26-30 Dec Harare ZIMBABWE T2 drawn
01 Jan Harare ZIMBABWE ODI 2 lost (runrate)
03 Jan Harare ZIMBABWE ODI 3 lost (131 r)

And also, look at it. Two four day warm up matches and three one day warm up matches. I'll never forget the buzz of that tour. Everyone was mad, I even remember the news that night showing Mugabe shaking Mike Atherton's hand before celebrating the win with the Zimbos!

But I was disappointed with England's attitude, mainly because of the loss me thinks. One player went to NZ after that on a tour and said "Nice to be in a civilised country for once". I guess that the two tours were no different. 96-97 and 2004; England just couldn't wait to leave.

And have a look at James Kirtley as Mashonaland's overseas player, belting England's socks off in a tour match.

[Milo]

Surely their greatest moment was actually winning a series (allbeit rain ruined) in Pakistan (after having just beaten India at home) in 1998/99.

The Pakistan team that lost in Peshawar read

Saeed Anwar, Aamir Sohail, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam, Yousuf Youhana, Moin Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmed, Aaqib Javed

A damn sight better than the England side of 1997.

[Teatime FatCat]

Originally Posted by Paoli69

No doubt; it will be a long while if it ever happens, they need to develop bona fide stars by reaching out to both communities; black and white.

Originally Posted by Paoli69

And have a look at James Kirtley as Mashonaland's overseas player, belting England's socks off in a tour match.

That's your most telling quote - an england Country pro as an overseas player in Zimbabwe! When will that happen again?

Incidentally, you must have been a little nipper in 1996 - bet it was a great atmosphere

[Zainub]

Apparently Zimbabwe once beat Australia in a certain world cup game, I presume that still to date remains the only time Zimbabwe have beaten Australia in any game of cricket, test or one-day. If my memory is serving me right from the last time I read about that particular game Duncun Fletcher was Man of the Match. Now some one please check all this out, as I'm not entirely sure. It I'm right, then this has to be a one of the better and more memorable moments in the history of Zimbabwe cricket.

[Occasional Fan]

Indeed, 9 June 1983, when Zimbabwe was a young country, newly independent and full of hope. A different era from the one of today, I'm afraid, but hope at least remains ...

Scorecard here.

[Paoli]

Ahh, old Duncan Fletcher, who, if my memory serves me correct, 69 not out and 4-42. That is a true allrounders game. Thats all they'd ever say in Zimbo when I said, "Yeah, we'll wait and see who wins the next series". Unfortunately, I'd left the country by the time of the 1 test and 3 ODI series came around, but I did get to see a development tour.

Milo, could I have a link to the test series win in Pakistan?

[Milo]

Have a look on this site Paoli.

http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/Series/SeriesList.asp?Group=1995010119991231&Range=1995%2 0to%201999

[Paoli]

Thanks for that link Milo, certainly an inspiring victory.

Other moments I rate highly are;

2003 vs. England at Lords, depleted by the loss of Andy Flower, big Grant steps up with 96 not out.
1997 vs. India at Harare, this one-off test brought a victory, the only Zimbabwean victory I saw
1998 vs. Pakistan in Pakistan ODI series. Andy Flower scored 132 not out to help us to victory in one game.
1992 vs. England at Albury, after making a paltry 125, Eddo Brandes took 4-22 to rattle England and win for Zimbo.