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Cricket Zimbabwe - The Road to 8th Place

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  • Cricket Zimbabwe - The Road to 8th Place


    Cricket Zimbabwe - The Road to 8th Place

    Headquarters: Harare Sports Club, Harare
    Chairman: Peter Chingoka
    Chief Exec: Wilfred Mukondiwa
    Coach: Alan Butcher
    Chief Selector: Givemore Makon

    Test Status Granted: 1992 (Voluntarily suspended from 2005-2011)

    Team Captain: Brendan Taylor

    Test Ranking: 9th
    ODI Ranking: 11th

    I've started this game for a bit of fun and mainly to see if I can develop Zimbabwe into a fairly decent side (probably not going to happen but not without a lack of trying!)

    Game starts off against Bangladesh in August 2012 with a 2 Match Test Series, before 3 ODI's and 2 T20's

    ----------------------------------------

    12-Man Squad to face Bangladesh
    There have been plenty of changes in the Zimbabwe Squad which boasts 5 debutants heading into the first test match against Bangladesh
    1. Brendan Taylor (Keeper/Batsman) * - Test Matches: 14 - Bat: 29.30
    2. Vusi Sibanda (Opener) - Test Matches: 6 - Bat: 26.67
    3. Stuart Matsikenyeri (Opener) - Test Matches: 8 - Bat: 23.40 - Bowl: 172.50
    4. Malcolm Waller (All Rounder - Off Spin) - Test Matches: 2 - Bat: 41.33 - Bowl: N/A
    5. Craig Ervine (Batsman) - Test Matches: 2 - Bat: 32.00
    6. Steve Trenchard (Batsman) - Test Matches: DEBUT
    7. Forster Mutizwa (Keeper) - Test Matches: 1 - Bat: 12.00
    8. Keegan Meth (Right Medium) - Test Matches: DEBUT
    9. Simon Mugava (Off Spin) - Test Matches: DEBUT
    10. Edward Rainsford (Right Medium Fast) - Test Matches: DEBUT
    11. Tendai Chatara (Right Fast Medium) - Test Matches: DEBUT
    12. Greg Lamb (All Rounder - Off Spin) - Test Matches: 1 - Bat: 23.00 - Bowl: 47.00

  • #2
    Bangladesh ease into 1-0 series lead

    The last time Bangladesh met Zimbabwe in a Test Match the latter caused a huge upset on home soil, however with Bangladesh having the home advantage it was going to be a tough ask for the Zimbabwe team to pick up a win. Handing out no fewer than 5 debuts, 4 of them bowlers, they got off to a decent start as Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bat first. Ed Rainsford and Tendai Chatara knocked over both openers cheaply and the hosts were on the ropes at 19-2. Step forward star man Shakib Al-Hasan, who blasted the ball around all parts, compiling a majestic 139. There were also contributions from Mahmudullah (49) and All Rounder Hossain (70) as Bangladesh posted a score of 375. Pick of the bowlers was Rainsford who ended with figures of 4-80, and also Simon Mugava (3-68).

    Zimbabwe started well with Vusi Sibanda and Stuart Matsikenyeri putting on 79 for the opening stand. However after that wickets tumbled at regular intervals, as batsman got themselves in then quickly got themselves out. Eventually after no resistance from the tail the tourists ended exactly 100 runs behind the hosts on 275. There were half centuries for Matsikenyeri (52) and Malcolm Waller (53).

    Bangladesh then bossed the game in the second innings, with the top 3 batsman who scoring in the 90's, before all 3 got out. Nafees was the unfortunate man who got bowled out on 99! Tahim Iqbal and Al-Hasan both scored 91. The hosts were in a commanding position, and despite slumping from 337-3 to 380 all out, were all but safely home in the match. Mugava and Rainsford once again the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 and 3 wickets respectively.

    Bangladesh were set a world record target of 571 to win with 5 and a bit sessions to go in the match. They were unable to hold out for a draw and were bowled out for 289, with the top 6 batsman once again getting starts but failing to stay in. Craig Ervine was the only man to pass 50 with his well compiled 69, however it was man of the match Shakib Al-Hasan who had the last laugh, taking 4 wickets in the innings to go along with 3 in the first and over 200 runs in the match. It was a solid team performance by Bangladesh, and the Zimbabwean coaching staff will have to teach their players to build off of good starts.

    Bangladesh win by 191 runs
    Man of the Match: Shakib Al-Hasan (BAN)

    --------
    Notes
    - Debutants Rainsford and Mugava bowled really well over the match and neither deserved to be on the losing end. Both took 7 wickets each.
    - Vusi Sibanda batted well, scoring 40's in both innings, however it was a little disappointing that neither score got converted to at least a 50.
    - Matsikenyeri, Waller and Ervine all scored half centuries which was pleasing, hopefully with a bit of form now can they push on those scores closer to the century mark.

    --------------------------------

    Squad Changes to 2nd Test against Bangladesh
    There are 2 changes to the squad that played in the 1st Test. Hamilton Masakadza replaces Mutizwa after recovering from a hand injury, while Shingirau Masakadza replaces Lamb as the 12th man.
    * = captain, + = wicketkeeper

    1. Brendan Taylor (Keeper/Batsman) * + - Test Matches: 15 - Bat: 29.03
    2. Vusi Sibanda (Opener) - Test Matches: 7 - Bat: 29.07
    3. Stuart Matsikenyeri (Opener) - Test Matches: 9 - Bat: 25.18 - Bowl: 172.50
    4. Malcolm Waller (All Rounder - Off Spin) - Test Matches: 3 - Bat: 43.80 - Bowl: N/A
    5. Craig Ervine (Batsman) - Test Matches: 3 - Bat: 34.40
    6. Steve Trenchard (Batsman) - Test Matches: 1 - Bat: 36.00
    7. Hamilton Masakadza (Batsman) - Test Matches: 19 - Bat: 25.78
    8. Keegan Meth (Right Medium) - Test Matches: 1 - Bat: 1.00 - Bowl: 47.33
    9. Simon Mugava (Off Spin) - Test Matches: 1 - Bat: 7.50 - Bowl: 18.29
    10. Edward Rainsford (Right Medium Fast) - Test Matches: 1 - Bat: 6.00 - Bowl: 21.57
    11. Tendai Chatara (Right Fast Medium) - Test Matches: 1 - Bat: 12.00 - Bowl: 54.00
    ----Reserve Player----
    12. Shingirai Masakadza (Right Medium) - Test Matches: 1 - Bat: 24.00 - Bowl: 102.00

    Comment


    • #3
      Good luck sir... Zimbabwe really is the mightiest challenge of all!

      Comment


      • #4
        Zimbabwe beaten again as Bangladesh ease to a 2-0 series victory
        It was plain sailing for Bangladesh in the second and final test of series. Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first, however just like the first test, batsman got in, then got out. Malcom Waller top scored with a career-best 87 before being run out after a bad call from his partner at the time. He clearly looked disappointed as he was just 13 runs short of a maiden test century. Craig Ervine supported well with 45, with the tourists eventually out for 248. Islam took 4-36 and in form Shakib took 3-74.

        Hom, Shakib and Nafees scored 93, 86 and 53 respectively at the hosts scored 364 in their first innings, giving them a 116 run lead. Rainsford and Mugava impressed once again taking 3 wickets each, however Keegan Meth impressed the most with figures of 4-61 in 23 overs.

        Same story again (you'll get bored of me saying this I feel!) as in Zimbabwe's 2nd innings the top 7 batsman all scored 20+ runs, however only 2 managed to convert them into 50's, with Matsikenyeri (60) and Waller (51) doing so. Waller was once again ran out from the non-strikers end, you could tell after lightning striking twice that it just wasn't going to be Zimbabwe's test. The tourists eventually crumbled to 265 all out, with Shakib unsurprisingly leading the attack, this time with 5-94.

        With just 149 Bangladesh cruised home, not before Zimbabwe took a couple of scalps however, including that of once again Man of the Match Shakib, who only managed to score 7 runs before being bowled by Mugava. Mahmudullah hit a 4 with just 1 run remaining to secure the series victory for the hosts, who in the end lost 4 wickets. Mugava took 3 of the 4 wickets, proving his worth all series as a test match bowler with 13 wickets in the two games.

        Back to the drawing board for Zimbabwe who now have to switch their focus to the one day game.

        ----------------------------------------

        Test Match Stats (Zimbabwe)
        Stats based on players selected since 2012 series in Bangladesh

        Team Highest Score: 289
        Individual Highest Score: Malcolm Waller (87)
        Most Runs in a Series: Malcolm Waller (233)
        Best Bowling Figures: Simon Mugava (4-60)
        Most Wickets in a Series: Simon Mugava (13)

        Top 3 Batsman in series (by average)
        1) M.Waller - 58.25
        2) S.Matsikenyeri - 37.00
        3) C.Ervine 36.00

        Top 3 Bowlers in series (by average)
        1) S.Mugava - 18.85
        2) E.Rainsford - 27.10
        3) K.Meth - 30.00

        ---------------------------------------------
        ODI Squad to face Bangladesh in 3-Match ODI Series
        * = captain, + = wicketkeeper
        1. Brendan Taylor (Keeper/Batsman) * + - ODIs: 132 - Bat: 34.85
        2. Tino Mawoyo (Opener) - ODIs: 3 - Bat: 11.00
        3. Stuart Matsikenyeri (Opener) - ODIs: 112 - Bat: 22.05 - Bowl: 48.62
        4. Malcolm Waller (All Rounder - Off Spin) - ODIs: 24 - Bat: 22.29 - Bowl: 89.00
        5. Hamilton Masakadza (Batsman) - ODIs: 115 - Bat: 27.08 - Bowl: 35.65
        6. Craig Ervine (Batsman) - ODIs: 23 - Bat: 32.28
        7. Timycen Maruma (All Rounder - Leg Spin) - ODIs: 8 - Bat: 7.57 - Bowl: 51.00
        8. Graeme Cremer (Leg Spin) - ODIs: 43 - Bat: 16.63 - Bowl: 29.65
        9. Simon Mugava (Off Spin) - ODIs: DEBUT
        10. Tendai Chatara (Right Fast Medium) - ODIs: DEBUT
        11. Brian Vitori (Left Fast Medium) - ODIs: 6 - Bat: 3.00 - Bowl: 23.46
        ----Reserve Players----
        12. Solomon Mire (Batsman) - ODIs: 0
        13. Forster Mutizwa (Keeper) - ODIs: 17 - Bat: 31.00
        14. Tendai Chisoro (Left Fast Medium) - ODIs: 0
        15. Natsai Mushangwe (Leg Spin) - ODIs: 1 - Bat: 7.00 - Bowl: N/A

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Imager36 View Post
          Good luck sir... Zimbabwe really is the mightiest challenge of all!
          Cheers, its certainly proving to be so far!

          Comment


          • #6
            Bangladesh crush Zimbabwe
            Bangladesh storm to a 132 run demolition of minnows Zimbabwe. The hosts won the toss and decided to have a bat, with opener and man of the match Tahim Iqbal leading from the from, scoring a mammoth 145 not out. His innings really had everything in it, and was a catalyst to a good total as they reached 304-9 off there 50 overs. There was also good support from fellow opener Nafees who made 92 as the pair put on 192 for the first wicket. Maruma and Waller were the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe, both taking 4 wickets each.

            The tourists struggled from the off, slumping to 76-5 before a brief revival from Masakadza and Ervine of 41 and the former with Maruma with a 65 run partnership, however it was no where near enough as they eventually crashed all out for 172. Masakadza played well for his 53 off 76 balls before being ran out. Maruma also played well, scoring 41 off just 36 balls.

            Bangladesh win by 132 runs and lead the series 1-0

            Comment


            • #7
              Zimbabwe put up a fight but in vain
              Bangladesh claim the ODI series with a game to spare after defeating Zimbabwe once again. However for the first time in the tour the visitors really gave it a good fight. Batting first on a decent pitch, the tourists put up a very competitive 287, with debutant Soloman Mire scoring a magnificent 125 not out off 121 balls. He was supported brilliantly by Masakadza who scored 88 in a 161 run partnership. Mahmud was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, taking 3-41 off his 10 overs.

              Bangladesh got off to a very slow start and you got the feeling that today was finally going to be Zimbabwe's day. The hosts were 26-3 before Hom and Islam scored 101 together at a rapid pace to take the game away from the unlucky tourists. Hom top scored with 75, with Islam and Rahim scoring half centuries. It did begin to get a little tense towards the end as Zimbabwe began to take wickets, however in the end the hosts won with 3 and a bit over and 2 wickets to spare.

              The Zimbabweans are bound to be disappointed with the result but can take a lot from today's effort, especially compared to their other performances so far on the tour.

              Bangladesh win by 2 wickets to lead the series 2-0

              Comment


              • #8
                Bangladesh wrap up convincing series win
                In another one sided game, the hosts once again showed their dominance over Zimbabwe by defeating the minnows by 8 wickets. The tourists lost the toss and were put into bat, and were quickly on the slump to 37-2. A 67 run partnership between Brendan Taylor (57) and Solomon Mire (41) was the only form of resistance showed before wickets tumbled in regular intervals. They were eventually bowled out for 171, in just 37 overs. Mahmud took 5 wickets.

                Bangladesh eased home in their reply with the lost of just 2 wickets. Iqbal scored a rapid 74 not out and was supported well by Hom who scored 65 not out, as the hosts raced to the target in just 28.3 overs.

                Bangladesh win by 8 wickets and win the series 3-0

                -------------------------

                T20 Internationals

                I played a bit ahead in this one so don't have the full squad in hand so will go straight to the match reports.

                1st T20i

                1st Innings
                Bangladesh - 156-8
                S Al Hasan - 56
                S Hom - 31
                S Nafees - 29
                ---
                T Garwe - 2-22
                C Chibhabha - 2-27
                T Maruma 1-22

                Solid first innings by the hosts, we took wickets at regular intervals however they still managed to put on a solid run rate.

                2nd Innings
                Zimbabwe - 145-5
                H Masakadza - 48
                B Taylor - 46
                S Matsikenyeri - 24
                ---
                S Islam - 2-28
                S Al Hasan - 1-25
                A Razzak - 1-27

                We looked in good shape until the partnership between Masakadza and Taylor finished at 130-3, after that the men that followed couldn't hit anything away, and eventually we fell to an 11 run defeat. However I feel we are getting close.

                Bangladesh win by 11 runs and lead the series 1-0

                ------------------

                2nd T20i

                1st Innings
                Zimbabwe - 143-7
                S Matsikenyeri - 30
                C Coventry - 28
                B Taylor - 28
                ---
                S Al Hasan - 3-36
                D Mahmud - 2-17
                T Iqbal - 1-4

                We got some runs on the board but to be honest I thought we were a little short. Batsman getting in and getting out, very bored of saying that now!

                2nd Innings
                Bangladesh - 122 all out
                N Islam - 37
                S Nafees - 25
                M Rahim - 17
                ---
                P Utseya - 4-21
                C Chibhabha - 3-9
                N Ncube - 2-26

                Wow! Didn't see that one coming! Fantastic effort by the bowlers, bowling the hosts out with a little over 2 overs to spare. I was delighted, it was my first win finally since taking over!

                ----------------------------

                World Cup T20

                Squad
                * = captain, + = wicketkeeper
                1. Brendan Taylor (Keeper/Batsman) * +
                2. Stuart Matsikenyeri (Opener)
                3. Charles Coventry (Opener/Keeper)
                4. Hamilton Masakadza (Batsman)
                5. Craig Ervine (Batsman)
                6. Steve Trenchard (Batsman)
                7. Elton Chigumbura (All Rounder/Right Medium)
                8. Chamu Chibhabha (All Rounder/Right Medium)
                9. Greg Lamb (All Rounder/Off Spin)
                10. Trevor Garwe (Right Fast Medium)
                11. Prosper Utseya (Off Spin)
                ---Reserve Players---
                12. Mark Vermeulen (Batsman)
                13. Timycen Maruma (All Rounder/Leg Spin)
                14. Keith Dabengwa (All Rounder/Slow Left Arm)
                15. Njabulo Ncube (Right Fast Medium)

                Group
                South Africa
                Sri Lanka
                Zimbabwe

                Comment

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