Zimbabwe's wait to beat South Africa in their own backyard in an ODI in a bilateral series continues, with Friday's encounter providing their last chance on this tour.
It has nevertheless been an encouraging performance from the visitors, despite their failure to win a game. They have performed decently with the bat, and Brendan Taylor's unbeaten 145 in the first ODI must rank as one of the finest innings in unsuccessful chases, reports cricinfo.
However, despite Zimbabwe proving to be much more than season-opening sparring partners for South Africa, there has been a sense of inevitability about the results.
The Zimbabwe bowling has been a huge letdown - in fact it's been little more than fodder for Hashim Amla and company, who have twice reached 200 for the loss of only one wicket. It's not that Elton Chigumbura, the Zimbabwe captain, hasn't tried.
He's shuffled his attack around, using eight bowlers in both matches, and even opened with offspinner Prosper Utseya, but South Africa haven't looked in the remotest of discomfort. A four-day break would have given Chigumbura more time to mull over his options, considering this is Zimbabwe's last ODI before the World Cup. He would also like his batsmen, including himself, to capitalise on the numerous starts they have managed, and support Taylor and Tatenda Taibu.
Graeme Smith's concerns are different. Not satisfied with winning the series, he wants his bowlers and fielders to take care of the "little things" ahead of tougher challenges against Pakistan and India. Tomorrow is another opportunity for his back-up bowlers to stake claims for World Cup spots before the regulars come back.
It has nevertheless been an encouraging performance from the visitors, despite their failure to win a game. They have performed decently with the bat, and Brendan Taylor's unbeaten 145 in the first ODI must rank as one of the finest innings in unsuccessful chases, reports cricinfo.
However, despite Zimbabwe proving to be much more than season-opening sparring partners for South Africa, there has been a sense of inevitability about the results.
The Zimbabwe bowling has been a huge letdown - in fact it's been little more than fodder for Hashim Amla and company, who have twice reached 200 for the loss of only one wicket. It's not that Elton Chigumbura, the Zimbabwe captain, hasn't tried.
He's shuffled his attack around, using eight bowlers in both matches, and even opened with offspinner Prosper Utseya, but South Africa haven't looked in the remotest of discomfort. A four-day break would have given Chigumbura more time to mull over his options, considering this is Zimbabwe's last ODI before the World Cup. He would also like his batsmen, including himself, to capitalise on the numerous starts they have managed, and support Taylor and Tatenda Taibu.
Graeme Smith's concerns are different. Not satisfied with winning the series, he wants his bowlers and fielders to take care of the "little things" ahead of tougher challenges against Pakistan and India. Tomorrow is another opportunity for his back-up bowlers to stake claims for World Cup spots before the regulars come back.
No comments:
Post a Comment