Thursday's game was composed of two distinct parts. In the first, Zimbabwe lost 4 for 21 inside 11 overs, and in the second, they scored 210 for the loss of 2 wickets in the remaining 39 only for the total to be overhauled by New Zealand for the loss of a solitary wicket. The second part, of course, was the more accurate reflection of the pitch (and the quality of bowling on offer from both sides).
Looking back, clearly it was ODI debutant Doug Bracwell's opening spell of 3 for 11 which sealed things for NZ. Braces bowled an immaculate line and got just enough away movement to trouble the Zimbabwean top order and was justly rewarded, though Brendan Taylor went after him at the death and his final 5 went for 44.
It was a learning experience for Braces overall. Promising he might be, but quality international batsmen will get stuck into him, as Taylor did, and how he deals with it will be something to look out for. He'd have also learned that it's very much a batsman's world; the Man-of-the-Match award went to the other debutant Rob Nicol, who scored an unbeaten century after being unexpectedly sent in to open ahead of B-Mac.
Nicol's was a vital effort, and he is a timely addition to the bench strength. But a century against some very indisciplined bowling, on that pitch, is considered more valuable than a highly incisive new-ball burst on the same wicket, really?
Top Cricket From The Second Tier
13 years ago
2 comments:
despite being in a losing cause, I thought Taylor's innings was better still. within a few deliveries of his arrival at the crease Zim were 19/4, and yet he scored at a good rate, and made it through to 100, giving his bowlers a target that at least gave them a chance. For me that was the most remarkable effort.
Yup you're right. It's equally tragic that if you finish on the losing side it almost automatically rules you out as a contender. That was some innings - and NZ better find a way to dismiss him early or he'll do some real damage in the tests.
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