So the champions trophy begins

[butchering lee]

Originally Posted by Paoli

Considering the likes of Goodwin, A & G Flower, Johnson, Whittall, Strang and co. were considered "international class" at the very least, I for one was very excited when the likes of Ervine, Blignaut and Carlisle began to play a more regular role.


Anyway, if they do get any good, chances are they'll defect somewhere. Keeping on to class cricketers is what we've failed to do!! !

yes, clearly one has to adjust ones expectations as each year passes - mine are clear now, i want improvement from the players as they get more exposure (i expect nothing more).

i hope that the days of defection are over - i'm not sure how much more i can stomach

i know you've rated Rinke and i've kept the faith but he needs to do something and prettty quickly.

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by Paoli

The politics aint the only reason altho it is a big one. The mere fact is cricket isn't a viable occupation, and as the white people have a good education they get good jobs. Zimbabwe is a third world country- but has as many Billionaires as Australia! Figure that one out!

Yes i know that under 1% of the population have 99% of the wealth

[Paoli]

Originally Posted by Andy

As for Scott Brant, well, the least said about him the better. I have seen a lot of Scott Brant during his time at Essex, some would say too much. He was awful. The worst Essex player in the last 10 years. Not helped by a run of nasty injuries, but I could count his useful performances on the fingers of one hand. If you're hankering for Brant, Zimbabwean cricket's in a worse state than I thought!

Thankfully, I wouldn't replace any of the current Zimbabwe attack with Brant

I remember him ripping it in the school system in Zim and for Queensland he had genuine pace. Then again his stats don't look too flash, but anyone good enough to play for Essex and Queensland is definitely good enough to play for Zimbabwe. You've seen more of him than me, but we could do with a Scott Brant type.

On Taylor, well, that's an iffy one. Mufambisi isn't good enough to don the gloves, Maregwede I don't know what happened to him, and Coventry see Maregwede. I'd be happy for Coventry or Maregwede to don the gloves, but they're nowhere to be seen. Really, Taylor's the only one who can, despite not having done it at school!

[butchering lee]

as i regularly lament - idon't get to SEE many mayches. so mostly i have to follow ball-by-ball commentary and other's opinions but what is the problem with mufambisis (there are other decent batsmen who've gone a long way with little footwork (Chris"the tree"Gayle and Tresco can be awful) and he, in his very short tenure has made more runs than sibanda, matsikenyeri, ebrahim and that lot made when they started out? [like i said - i haven't seen him, but sibanda was, i think acurately, described once by a west indian as "the worst international batsman i've ever seen" and he's now probably in our top 4 ...tho' he's certainly come a long way since then!in terms of glovework - ok, i have no idea!


nice first five overs - even got a wicket (that of saleh who i think is pretty good but has not been in the BD team in a while if memory serves).


I'm doing a bit of graft for you here greg (the blue bits)

4.6Rainsford to Rajin Saleh, OUT, plumb! Not much doubt about that one

Ireland to Shahriar Nafees, no run, left alone, excellent areas

Ireland to Shahriar Nafees, 1 run, Straight drive is cut off by the man at mid-off who slides at full stretch. Typically good fielding from Zimbabwe, this


gtg, but i'm sure zim will provide the bat for you to beat me with sooner rather than later - well anyway, i leave in a good mood

[butchering lee]

btw paoli ..or andy


you must have seen a bit of lamb (hampshire too) is he any good - stats make him a better allrounder than ervine i'd say (not thoroughly checked, that claim)

[greg]

12-1 after 7 overs was a great start by Zimbabwe but it is now 51-2 off 13 so it is quite well balanced at the moment but if Bangladesh carry on as they have done in the last 6 overs then they will be well on top.

A far more interesting game so far than anything that has gone previously.

[butchering lee]

yeah 94/2 - not exactly killed my mood but hasn't helped...this from andrew miller has helped a bit:

""The Zimbabwe seamers are tying down the batsmen with some excellent line and length bowling"".

""Utseya starts with an excellent maiden over ""

""A decent start from Kamungozi, who bowled well against Sri Lanka the other day""

""Kamungozi to Saqibul Hasan, OUT ""

[greg]

157-3 off 39.

Should be looking for around 220-230 with all the wickets in hand.I hope Nafees gets his ton.

[butchering lee]

Nafees has done well, not flawless but very well deserved ton (his second and bth vs. zim).

must be quite tough for BD - everyone expects (and probably hopes) they'll win...there's a bit of pressure!


"""Rainsford to Shahriar Nafees, no run, great death bowling, makes room and the ball is fired in at his feet """

[greg]

Zimbabwe have bowled and fielded tidily enough but 232 is a big total when you consider that Zimbabwe have only scored 226 in the previous 2 games combined.

Bangladesh have got a number of good young players and the key for them now is to start putting in the good performances on a regular basis not just 1 match in 5 or 6.Shahriar and Saqibul both look useful players and when you add Ashraful,Aftab and Mortaza to that the future looks ok if only they can gain more consistency.

I hope Zimbabwe can get some pride back with the bat and go close or even win the game though i am not holding my breath.