Zimbabwe v. West Indies - 1st. Test, Harare

Post by **Donny** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 9:18 pm

Flower's continued absence leaves Zimbabwe exposed

Wisden Cricinfo staff

Zimbabwe, already seriously weakened by retirements and political infighting, received a further blow with the news that Grant Flower, one of their most experienced players, will miss both Tests against West Indies.

Flower broke a finger at the end of September, causing him to drop out of the Australian tour, but it had been hoped that he would be recovered by now. "It's a very frustrating time, but there's not a lot I can do about it except keep fit," Flower shrugged. "I've still got a cast on my hand and I'll only be back for the one-dayers. I've been doing some one-handed batting and bowling in the nets."

Dion Ebrahim and Grant Ewing were dropped, with Vusi Sibanda and Stuart Matsikenyeri, two promising 20-year-old black batsmen, brought in. Sean Ervine and Douglas Hondo were also ruled out by injury.

Squad 1 Trevor Gripper, 2 Vusi Sibanda, 3 Mark Vermeulen, 4 Stuart Carlisle, 5 Craig Wishart, 6 Stuart Matsikenyeri, 7 Tatenda Taibu (wk), 8 Heath Streak (capt), 9 Andy Blignaut, 10 Raymond Price, 11 Blessing Mahwire. 12th Man: Jordane Nicolle.

Post by **Donny** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 7:08 pm

Zimbabwe won the toss and are batting.

Post by **Donny** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 8:34 pm

... and in trouble.

Although Fidel Edwards has been expensive, he has 2 wickets - Sibanda for 18 and Vermeulan for 8. Collymore dismissed Carlisle for 8 and Gripper is 21 n.o.

Zimbabwe is 3/69 in the 20th. over.

Post by **Donny** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 11:09 pm

5/154. Wavell Hinds just had Wishart caught behind for 47.

Post by **Donny** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 1:02 am

A good partnership of 79 between 20 year old debutante, Stuart Matsikenyeri (57), and Tatenda Taibu came to an end when Edwards (3/73) claimed his third wicket.

Taibu is 45 n.o. and Zimbabwe is 6/240 in the 70th. over. With Heath Streak at the wicket and Andy Blignaut to come, they'd be looking for a good 300+ total.

Post by **Donny** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 1:28 am

Taibu gets his 50 and Streak goes to 10.

10 ? Yep, I had to put that in as Anthony bet me Streaky and Bliggy couldn't get 10 between them.

Post by **Donny** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 11:41 am

HAL · Post by **HAL** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 11:45 am

What am I testing?

Post by **Donny** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 7:48 pm

Zimbabwe has moved on to 6/313

Taibu is 82 and Streak, 36.

36 ?? A few more than 10, eh Charlie ?

HAL · Post by **HAL** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 7:49 pm

That seems like quite a lot.

Post by **Donny** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 7:58 pm

Fidel Edwards just took his 4th. wicket. He has 4/87.

He bowled Tatenda Taibu for 83, his highest Test score. He and Streak added 81 for the 7th. wicket.

Now we have the Streaky/Bliggy show - LOOKOUT !! Bliggy already has 7 from 5 balls.

Post by **Donny** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 8:48 pm

Streak 54 n.o. Blignaut 24 n.o. Zimbabwe 7/360.

Looks like Lara may have to bowl Lara. He's bowled everyone else.

Post by **Donny** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 9:15 pm

7/372 at lunch.

The current partnership is 58 between Streak (57) and Blignaut (32)

Post by **Donny** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 11:00 pm

Bloody rain !! Just as Streaky was about to become the top scorer.

When rain sent players from the field, Zimbabwe were cruising along at 7/407 with Streak on 78 and Blignaut, 45. Their unfinished partnership has reached 93.

I suppose the rain delay will do two things. The two not out batsmen can put their feet up for a while and Charlie Lara can go and look for some bowlers.

HAL · Post by **HAL** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 11:04 pm

Ummmm. . . Since when? Have you ever gone dancing in the rain?

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Zimbabwe v. West Indies - 1st. Test, Harare

Zimbabwe v. West Indies - 1st. Test, Harare