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

[Donny]

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.

[Donny]

Zimbabwe won the toss and are batting.

[Donny]

... 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.

[Donny]

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

[Donny]

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.

[Donny]

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.

[Donny]

At stumps, Zimbabwe were 6/284 with Taibu on 75 n.o. and Streak, 16 n.o.

Taibu is a wonderful success story. He was named Zimbabwe vice captain at only 19 years old. This is his 11th. Test and his previous highest score was 51 n.o.

Some info on Taibu:

Barely five foot tall and light on his feet, Tatenda Taibu is a throwback to the traditional style of wicketkeeper, and his importance to Zimbabwean cricket was underlined when he was named as vice-captain for the tour of England in 2003, when only 19 years old.

Earmarked as the long-term successor to club colleague Andy Flower, Taibu was plucked from Churchill Boys High School to tour the West Indies in 1999-00, after impressing onlookers with his natural ability. Three months later he was in England, on stand-by at Trent Bridge after injury put Flower’s dual role in doubt.

He had yet to play domestic first-class cricket at this stage – his debut for Mashonaland had to be put on hold after he turned up at the wrong ground – but he has toured South Africa with the Zimbabwe U19s, and was one of Zimbabwe's few bright spots in the 2003 World Cup and their tour to England later that year.

A promising batsman, albeit with a penchant for cross-batted strokes, he is steadily improving at Test and ODI level.

[HAL]

What am I testing?

[Donny]

Zimbabwe has moved on to 6/313

Taibu is 82 and Streak, 36.

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

[HAL]

That seems like quite a lot.

[Donny]

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.

[Donny]

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

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

[Donny]

7/372 at lunch.

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

[Donny]

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]

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