IS ZIMBABWE READY FOR BIG BOYS?

Talent seems to be there in abundance but is it really existent in the current crop of players that we currently banking on?  If it is, then there is something really wrong with the players’ mindset and will-power to do what is required of them. Today’s game was only a question of the individuals telling themselves that they are ready to win I say this because there was some good batting done at Harare Sports. Its still up to the Zimbabweans to decide if they want to compete at the biggest level or not.

Just a brief analysis of the game from a Zimbabwean perspective……..

BOWLING

Prosper Utseya did exceptionally well today and was by compliment by the Matabeleland Tuskers all-rounder Keegan Meth. Chris Mpofu as usual did cause a couple of scares to the neighbors from across Limpopo.

FEILDING

Terrible, terrible!!! In fact pathetic, South Africa  should not have reached their 238 run total had Zimbabwe taken their chances. Cricket is about taking those chances, this is further cemented by Heath Streak’s favourate statement “Catches win matches”. Vusi Sibanda, Mpofu and former captain Elton Chigumbura were culprits dropping five clean catches amongst themselves.

BATTING

Brendon Taylor as usual was at his best scoring a a well crafted 98 off 133 deliveries before succumbing to a soft delivery by Kleinveldt being caught by Miller. Regis Chakabva did well today while Foster Mutizwa’s reasoning was heavily questioned by a very anxious crowd when he failed to bring home the last ball of the innings to give his team a long awaited victory.

A full strength Zimbabwe XI team lost by one run in a nail-biting encounter, giving the South Africans  their first points in the tri-series. Chasing 239, Zim needed two off the last ball, but came off second as Rusty Theron held his nerve to bowl a wicket-taking dot.

Zimbabwe’s innings were dominated by captain Brendan Taylor, who scored 98. While there were no other half-centuries from the line-up, the next six batsmen got into double figures, making sure Zimbabwe were on course in the chase. They took the third Powerplay in the 43rd over, needing 77 off 48 balls with seven wickets in hand. With a close finish looming, a five-ball 45th over did the hosts no favours. It came down to the last ball, off which Theron had Forster Mutizwa stumped.

 South Africa won the toss and elected to bat, their innings wre guided by a patient 98 by the skipper, Jacques Rudoplh. Three wickets went down in the first 15 overs at the other end, leaving South Africa in a spot of trouble at 52 for 3. But wicketkeeper Heino Kuhn complemented Rudolph well, scoring 61 off 70 balls as their partnership yielded  116 runs. Cameos from the lower-middle order followed, pushing the score to a competitive 238. Prosper Utseya was the pick of the bowlers, picking up four wickets for 49 runs in ten overs.

Rudolph was named Man of the Match. Zimbabwe face Australia A on tomorrow at the same venue.