Proteas tour to Zimbabwe: Aug-Sep 2014

[ZCFOutkast]

Perhaps the underwhelming conditions they found in Zimbabwe - broken lifts, expensive burgers, load shedding etc - have sucked the cricket life out of the Proteas. Interesting take from Telford Vice http://telfordvice.wordpress.com/2014/08/08/what-to-get-for-the-sa-team-who-have-everything-zimbabwes-humanity/. References to cheating & dour cricket alluded to ... maybe I'm not alone in that regard.

 

[Creag]

Just thought I'd let you all know I am heading off to a meeting for an hour or so

 

[poffle]

Gotta give credit to the zimbos. They are batting quite nicely.

 

[Badprop_za]

Stumping chance missed!!!!!!!! Damn.....

 

[ZCFOutkast]

Gotta give credit to the zimbos. They are batting quite nicely.

They've batted well to some extent. AB hadn't impressed me as LOI captain, so when Amla was chosen as captain I thought tactically that was bound to be a significant upgrade. This Test is proving that's not necessarilly the case.

If the tailender didn't get himself out I doubt ZIM would've lost a wicket in this session. Morkel&Steyn bowled short to Vusi Sibanda who's among the best players of the short ball, and none of their short balls to the nightwatchman were well directed. On the contrary they haven't bowled short to Vermeulen (his weakness0 long enough before turning to spin. I wonder what strategy they will have after the break.

I fear that if it gets to midway after the lunch and no wicket has fallen, panic might set in and strange tactics may make that sessions turn out to be a high scoring one for ZIM. We might find oursevles in a situation where the new ball is taken under run saving negative bowling tactics after tea.

 

[Creag]

Now, now. Two quick wickets, two new batsmen! And the deficit not yet erased.

 

[Creag]

Some good action photography:



Source: http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-south-africa-2014/content/image/index.html?object=736435

 

[Creag]

114/5 ... with Taylor gone a collapse is imminent

 

[Creag]

Morkel to Chakabva, OUT, can't leave all of them, though! This one goes through after pitching outside off on length, it was coming in with the angle but Chakabva didn't cover for that and it hit the off stump as he shouldered arms

RW Chakabva b Morkel 15 (23b 2x4 0x6) SR: 65.21

At 121/6 and trailing by 20, an innings win is still on the cards!

 

[ABCpt]

At 121/6 and trailing by 20, an innings win is still on the cards!

Trailing by 17 runs and 3 wickets left. Looking more and more possible.

 

[Creag]

Morkel's awesome day continues... 3/12 in 12 overs as Williams departs:

Morkel to Williams, OUT, whattay catch by Duminy! It's pretty full and wide outside off, Williams' eyes light up and he chases it, it's gone in the air and is going past point but no, Duminy dives to his right and grabs it!

SC Williams c Duminy b Morkel 3 (19b 0x4 0x6) SR: 15.78

Zimbabwe trail by 17 runs with 3 wickets remaining

 

[Devill]

Hope Piedt or Morkel get their 5 wickets.

 

[mercurial]

This Dane Piedt guy is quite good!

 

[Creag]

59.5 Morkel to Mutumbami, 1 run, full on the off stump with a bit of inswing, inside edge on the shoe and they take one

The physio is out again to examine Mutumbami's foot after the fifth delivery of that over hit his foot again

Is the same lad who copped it earlier from Morkel on the foot? Seems like it. Eina. And kudos for soldiering on.

 

[ZCFOutkast]

I'm glad Tahir didn't bowl on this deck and the nod was given to Piedt. 10 wickets to Tahir e.g. would've sent a misleading message. he never should've survived beyond that tour to Australia. Happy to see young Piedt grabbed the chance with both hands.

Took a while but the Zimbabwe collapse arrived. I can't say it was down to the bowling though. Sibanda was stupid and and set off the collapse. They'll kick themselves big time because calm heads and a draw was on the cards here.

 

[ABCpt]

Not sure about a draw, but they easily could have gotten to day 5, which would have been a great achievement.

 

[Creag]

Gaurav: "Being an Indian fan I wish I could borrow a few Zimbabwe players for the current Indian team. Much more discipline in every department."

 

[mercurial]

Lol. You're deluded if you thought that Zim could get a draw from this match.

 

[Creag]

Piedt to Mutumbami, 3 runs, full and wide again, nicely-timed drive through the covers now in the big gap and three more means scores are level now

Credit to the tail. The Saffers will bat again.

 

[Creag]

No disrespect to Elgar, but surely Piedt should be bowling?