Australia & South Africa's tour of Zimbabwe August-September 2014

[sifter132]

Seam struggled so far, both spinners been good. Aus may regret dropping lyon later on.

I think there'll be a few things written today with the benefit of hindsight about how Lyon should have played blah blah. But honestly, I think he'd have been pummelled as well. I mean he went at 6 RPO vs Zimbabwe the other day when everyone else was frugal. It's pretty wishful thinking that he'd have changed much. Give the credit to Faf and AB instead of complaining about selections.

What I found most interesting was Bailey's words after the match:

"One of the challenges for us is Maxi [Glenn Maxwell] is a good enough spinner to not be a part-timer, like JP Duminy is for South Africa, and Steve Smith is going to be a massive one-day bowler for us."

Steve Smith is going to be a massive one-day bowler??????? WOW!!! That's retarded George, I'm sorry. He arguably shouldn't even be here. Let him concentrate on his Test batting which has been going so well. Don't need to force him into being a one-day bowling specialist too...

 

[cricketmad09]

They used Marsh in the warm-up game v Qld at 3. So why would you assume that Hughes was the logical player to be picked for 3? It's hardly a straight shoot-out for a spot between Hughes and Marsh, as Marsh was picked in the initial squad and he bowls. They'll be giving him overs whenever he plays to find out if he's up to it.

Did you not read what I wrote? With 5 frontline bowlers they did not need Marsh's bowling. So the benefit that we get out of his bowling is going to be minuscule. Plus where did I say that he should be picked at 3? He'd be an opener with Warner. Do you even watch cricket?

 

[stefan]

I think there'll be a few things written today with the benefit of hindsight about how Lyon should have played blah blah. But honestly, I think he'd have been pummelled as well. I mean he went at 6 RPO vs Zimbabwe the other day when everyone else was frugal. It's pretty wishful thinking that he'd have changed much. Give the credit to Faf and AB instead of complaining about selections.

Probably but fact still remains that our two spinners both went under 6 with the only other bowler managing that being Steyn. So think the argument is valid that a spinner should have been picked, whether that should be lyon is another matter.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

Did you not read what I wrote? With 5 frontline bowlers they did not need Marsh's bowling. So the benefit that we get out of his bowling is going to be minuscule. Plus where did I say that he should be picked at 3? He'd be an opener with Warner. Do you even watch cricket?

Of course I read what you wrote. You seemed to think that it was about Marsh v Hughes for batting. They are trying Marsh out, that much is obvious, what benefits they get from that they are trying to FIND OUT as he's hardly played any international cricket. Same reason they have Richardson in the side.

They know a fair bit about Hughes, Smith and the others already. It's a good tour to use as a testing ground for some of these players as there is a fair few games before the World Cup yet. They can get a better handle on the proper squad with later games when the best players are fit and available.

I wouldn't have Marsh in the squad for the World Cup myself, so I'm glad that if this is in their minds they are trying it early. I'll be very surprised if he has any real success against SA on this tour.

 

[War]

Steve Smith is going to be a massive one-day bowler??????? WOW!!! That's retarded George, I'm sorry. He arguably shouldn't even be here. Let him concentrate on his Test batting which has been going so well. Don't need to force him into being a one-day bowling specialist too...

HAAAA ye, sounds like Smith has been dismissing batters in the nets with Warnesque gatting & strauss balls...

 

[SpitfiresKent]

Good delivery there from Utseya to dismiss Amla, he actually spun the ball!

 

[SpitfiresKent]

5 wickets for Utseya! What a comeback this is.

 

[SpitfiresKent]

Well once again Zimbabwe are making hard work of chasing down this small total. A few starts from Raza, Masakadza, Waller and Williams but no one converting it to a big score. Disappointing again.

Chigumbura is still there which offers a small amount of hope, Utseya can also hold a bat.

 

[greymatter776]

Doesn't want Zimababwe to win.I betted a lot of Vcash for SA

 

[greymatter776]

And my prayers worked.SA won by 61 runs.

 

[SpitfiresKent]

Another poor batting display...

 

[Rizwan_zak11]

Zimbabwe deserved much better than yesterday's match. Hope they comeback stronger versus AUS.

 

[SpitfiresKent]

Another good bowling performance from Zimbabwe (though they went for a few at the end). Just like the other day this total should be chased down with ease, another batting failure is not acceptable.

 

[cricketmad09]

Hopefully we can get the job done with the ball. I don't like Lyon as a one-day spinner. Where's Jon Holland these days? Last season in the Ryobi Cup statistically the 2 best bowlers were Hauritz and Holland.

 

[Spickery]

I was shocked to come home from cricket training and see Australia 5/99. From what the commentators have said most of our top order failed to adjust to the turning pitch. Luckily, Michael Clarke made 68 not in a partnership with Brad Haddin who also batted well and made 49. The bad news is Clarke has re-injured his hamstring and had to retire hurt before returning at the end of innings to allow Nathan Lyon to score a few runs in the last over. Ben Cutting also batted well under pressure and made the most of scoring off the pace bowlers, he scored 26 runs off 22 balls.

209 is what Australia has to defend. It is possible for us to defend that score if we bowl well but I have a worrying feeling that the Zimbabwe batsman will adjust better to the conditions and chase the score down. I hope when I check the scores in the morning I am wrong.