Hi and welcome to the first instalment of my new career mode with Zimbabwe. In this series (which I hope will last for several seasons) I will attempt to qualify Zimbabwe for the world cup and win matches at ICC events. My main aim is to get Zimbabwe into the top 8 across formats and find a few star players to replace the aging line-up.
We have a number of series lined up for our first season
2 Tests, 5 T20s v Ireland
3 ODIs v Australia
3 ODIs v India
3 ODIs, 2 T20s v Sri Lanka
3 ODIs, 3 T20s v Pakistan
2 Tests, 3 T20s v Afghanistan
Unfortunately, Zimbabwe was excluded from qualification for the World T20 due to an ICC suspension.
Our first challenge is a home series against test newcomers Ireland.
Test Squad for first test.
The squad selected for the first test was a relatively experienced one with a few newcomers. Brandon Mavuta, Ryan Burl, and Brian Mudzinganyama had played just 4 tests between them and keeper-batsman Richmond Mutumbani was recalled to the side after 5 years on the sidelines. Sean Williams retained his position as captain. A notable exclusion was the recently retired Hamilton Masakadza (hence the 3 new batsmen).
Batsmen: Brian M’ganyama, Richmond Mutumbani (WK), Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Ryan Burl, Peter Moor (WK)
All-Rounders: Sean Williams (C), Sikandar Raza
Bowlers: Tendai Chatara, Donald Tiripano, Carl Mumba, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta.
The first test (at Harare):
The pitch prepared was curated to suit fast bowling. As such we named 3 seam-bowlers, and played a batsman (Burl) at 7.
Team selected: 1. Brian M’Ganyama, 2. Richmond Mutumbani (WK), 3. Craig Ervine, 4. Brendan Taylor, 5. Sean Williams, 6. Sikandar Raza, 7. Ryan Burl, 8. Brandon Mavuta, 9. Kyle Jarvis, 10. Carl Mumba, 11. Tendai Chatara.
Ireland named an unusual side which looked light on batting. Gary Wilson was all the way up at 5, while bowling all-rounder James Cameron-Dow was listed at 7. Batting allrounder Delany and Paceman Young made their debuts.
Irish Team: 1. Paul Stirling, 2. Will Porterfield, 3. Andrew Balbirnie, 4 Kevin O’Brien, 5. Gary Wilson (WK), 6. Gareth Delany, 7. James Cameron-Dow, 8. Simi Singh, 9. Mark Adair, 10. Boyd Rankin, 11. Craig Young.
We won an extremely important toss and elected to bat first.
The first innings was a success for us. Mutumbani (50) and M’Ganyama (39) began steadily, and were followed by a brilliant 97 from Craig Ervine. Sean Williams also contributed with 39 while Taylor (8), Burl (1), and Mavuta (7) failed. Eventually the score reached 7/281. It was at this point that Sikandar Raza stepped in belting 177(220) and adding 211 for the last 3 wickets with Jarvis (20), Mumba (25), and Chatara (18*) to take us to an imposing 492. Ireland fielded extremely poorly and dropped 4 catches including Ervine twice before he had reached 30. For Ireland Simi Singh (4/146) and Craig Young (3/123) were the pick of the bowlers. Delany (1/18) also took his first test wicket.
The Irish innings began poorly and never recovered as they reached the end of day 2 at 6/106 before being bundled out for 130 in the first session of day 3. Will Porterfield hit a stubborn 44 but lacked support as Mumba (5/28) and Chatara (3/46) demolished Ireland before Jarvis (2/23) cleaned up the tail. With a lead of 362 we enforced the follow-on.
Ireland battled hard in their second innings but were too far behind to make a contest of the game as they were dismissed for 254. Balbirnie (106) hit a defiant century, but the other batsman could not convert their starts. For us, Jarvis was the star with 6/72 while Mavuta took 3/86 but was dismantled by Balbirnie and Kevin O’Brien (40).
Result: Zimbabwe win by an innings and 108 runs.
Second Test: (at Bulawayo)
After our thumping victory in the first test we named an unchanged side. The pitch was similar to that of the first game, and even the weather conditions were identical (clear). Ireland bizarrely added an extra spinner to their line-up with George Dockrell replacing Adair. On a pitch favouring seam they had 3 front-line spinners as well as legspinner Delany.
We won another important toss and elected to bat first, striking a blow to Ireland’s odd spin strategy.
Our first innings began exceptionally well as the openers added 143 for the first wicket before M’ganyama was dismissed for 52. The middle order did not truly fire, but 68 from Taylor and contributions from Williams (27) and Mavuta (28) took us to 370. The innings was built on Mutumbani’s flawless 120 however, his maiden test century. For Ireland Rankin (5/106) and Young (3/74) bowled well, and the many spinners took just 2 wickets between them. Bizarrely Cameron-Dow did not bowl.
Ireland fought hard in their first innings and eventually folded for 291. At times it looked like they would be dismissed for around 200 but O’Brien continued his good form with an aggressive 128 to add many runs with the tail. Stirling (35) and Porterfield (29) were the other contributors. With the ball Mavuta took 4/106 but was again expensive as O’Brien hit him for 11 boundaries. Chatara (3/52) also bowled well.
With the pitch deteriorating our second innings was a struggle. Singh and Dockrell took 6/112 between them and we were dismissed for just 212. M’Ganyama batted well for 62 but was run out after a horrible call. Brendan Taylor also hit a counterattacking 51, but Ryan Burl failed for the third time in a row to end a miserable series for him. With Ireland needing 291 to win we were the clear favourites.
Ireland however thumped our bowlers around the park as they delivered an inspired performance. Only Sean Williams (3/63) bowled at all well, as Ireland, led by O’Brien (88*) chased the runs in just 72 overs. After controlling the entirety of the series, we were forced to settle for a draw due to a single horrible bowling performance.
Result: Ireland won by 6 wickets.
Stats from Ireland Tests:
Raza, 210 runs @ 70, 1x100
Mutumbani, 183 runs @ 61, 1x100, 1x50
M’Ganyama, 153 runs @ 51, 2x50
Taylor, 127 runs @ 42.33, 2x50
Ervine, 126 runs @ 42, 1x50
Williams, 76 runs @ 25.33, 3 wickets @ 21.
Burl, 15 runs @ 5.
Mavuta, 48 runs @ 24, 7 wickets @ 36.86
Chatara, 6 wickets @ 30.83
Jarvis, 9 wickets @ 23
Mumba, 9 wickets @ 21, 1x 5 wickets.
Overall, the batting was impressive as 5 batsmen averaged over 40. Burl was the only true failure and his spot in the side looked to be in jeopardy. On the bowling front the 4 main bowlers shared 31 wickets between them, and the seamers bowled well. Mavuta took wickets but was also far too expensive. This was a solid initiation into the season, although drawing the series from a dominant position was bitterly disappointing.
Our next installment will cover the 5 match T20 series against Ireland which should once again be a close contest.
We have a number of series lined up for our first season
2 Tests, 5 T20s v Ireland
3 ODIs v Australia
3 ODIs v India
3 ODIs, 2 T20s v Sri Lanka
3 ODIs, 3 T20s v Pakistan
2 Tests, 3 T20s v Afghanistan
Unfortunately, Zimbabwe was excluded from qualification for the World T20 due to an ICC suspension.
Our first challenge is a home series against test newcomers Ireland.
Test Squad for first test.
The squad selected for the first test was a relatively experienced one with a few newcomers. Brandon Mavuta, Ryan Burl, and Brian Mudzinganyama had played just 4 tests between them and keeper-batsman Richmond Mutumbani was recalled to the side after 5 years on the sidelines. Sean Williams retained his position as captain. A notable exclusion was the recently retired Hamilton Masakadza (hence the 3 new batsmen).
Batsmen: Brian M’ganyama, Richmond Mutumbani (WK), Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Ryan Burl, Peter Moor (WK)
All-Rounders: Sean Williams (C), Sikandar Raza
Bowlers: Tendai Chatara, Donald Tiripano, Carl Mumba, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta.
The first test (at Harare):
The pitch prepared was curated to suit fast bowling. As such we named 3 seam-bowlers, and played a batsman (Burl) at 7.
Team selected: 1. Brian M’Ganyama, 2. Richmond Mutumbani (WK), 3. Craig Ervine, 4. Brendan Taylor, 5. Sean Williams, 6. Sikandar Raza, 7. Ryan Burl, 8. Brandon Mavuta, 9. Kyle Jarvis, 10. Carl Mumba, 11. Tendai Chatara.
Ireland named an unusual side which looked light on batting. Gary Wilson was all the way up at 5, while bowling all-rounder James Cameron-Dow was listed at 7. Batting allrounder Delany and Paceman Young made their debuts.
Irish Team: 1. Paul Stirling, 2. Will Porterfield, 3. Andrew Balbirnie, 4 Kevin O’Brien, 5. Gary Wilson (WK), 6. Gareth Delany, 7. James Cameron-Dow, 8. Simi Singh, 9. Mark Adair, 10. Boyd Rankin, 11. Craig Young.
We won an extremely important toss and elected to bat first.
The first innings was a success for us. Mutumbani (50) and M’Ganyama (39) began steadily, and were followed by a brilliant 97 from Craig Ervine. Sean Williams also contributed with 39 while Taylor (8), Burl (1), and Mavuta (7) failed. Eventually the score reached 7/281. It was at this point that Sikandar Raza stepped in belting 177(220) and adding 211 for the last 3 wickets with Jarvis (20), Mumba (25), and Chatara (18*) to take us to an imposing 492. Ireland fielded extremely poorly and dropped 4 catches including Ervine twice before he had reached 30. For Ireland Simi Singh (4/146) and Craig Young (3/123) were the pick of the bowlers. Delany (1/18) also took his first test wicket.
The Irish innings began poorly and never recovered as they reached the end of day 2 at 6/106 before being bundled out for 130 in the first session of day 3. Will Porterfield hit a stubborn 44 but lacked support as Mumba (5/28) and Chatara (3/46) demolished Ireland before Jarvis (2/23) cleaned up the tail. With a lead of 362 we enforced the follow-on.
Ireland battled hard in their second innings but were too far behind to make a contest of the game as they were dismissed for 254. Balbirnie (106) hit a defiant century, but the other batsman could not convert their starts. For us, Jarvis was the star with 6/72 while Mavuta took 3/86 but was dismantled by Balbirnie and Kevin O’Brien (40).
Result: Zimbabwe win by an innings and 108 runs.
Second Test: (at Bulawayo)
After our thumping victory in the first test we named an unchanged side. The pitch was similar to that of the first game, and even the weather conditions were identical (clear). Ireland bizarrely added an extra spinner to their line-up with George Dockrell replacing Adair. On a pitch favouring seam they had 3 front-line spinners as well as legspinner Delany.
We won another important toss and elected to bat first, striking a blow to Ireland’s odd spin strategy.
Our first innings began exceptionally well as the openers added 143 for the first wicket before M’ganyama was dismissed for 52. The middle order did not truly fire, but 68 from Taylor and contributions from Williams (27) and Mavuta (28) took us to 370. The innings was built on Mutumbani’s flawless 120 however, his maiden test century. For Ireland Rankin (5/106) and Young (3/74) bowled well, and the many spinners took just 2 wickets between them. Bizarrely Cameron-Dow did not bowl.
Ireland fought hard in their first innings and eventually folded for 291. At times it looked like they would be dismissed for around 200 but O’Brien continued his good form with an aggressive 128 to add many runs with the tail. Stirling (35) and Porterfield (29) were the other contributors. With the ball Mavuta took 4/106 but was again expensive as O’Brien hit him for 11 boundaries. Chatara (3/52) also bowled well.
With the pitch deteriorating our second innings was a struggle. Singh and Dockrell took 6/112 between them and we were dismissed for just 212. M’Ganyama batted well for 62 but was run out after a horrible call. Brendan Taylor also hit a counterattacking 51, but Ryan Burl failed for the third time in a row to end a miserable series for him. With Ireland needing 291 to win we were the clear favourites.
Ireland however thumped our bowlers around the park as they delivered an inspired performance. Only Sean Williams (3/63) bowled at all well, as Ireland, led by O’Brien (88*) chased the runs in just 72 overs. After controlling the entirety of the series, we were forced to settle for a draw due to a single horrible bowling performance.
Result: Ireland won by 6 wickets.
Stats from Ireland Tests:
Raza, 210 runs @ 70, 1x100
Mutumbani, 183 runs @ 61, 1x100, 1x50
M’Ganyama, 153 runs @ 51, 2x50
Taylor, 127 runs @ 42.33, 2x50
Ervine, 126 runs @ 42, 1x50
Williams, 76 runs @ 25.33, 3 wickets @ 21.
Burl, 15 runs @ 5.
Mavuta, 48 runs @ 24, 7 wickets @ 36.86
Chatara, 6 wickets @ 30.83
Jarvis, 9 wickets @ 23
Mumba, 9 wickets @ 21, 1x 5 wickets.
Overall, the batting was impressive as 5 batsmen averaged over 40. Burl was the only true failure and his spot in the side looked to be in jeopardy. On the bowling front the 4 main bowlers shared 31 wickets between them, and the seamers bowled well. Mavuta took wickets but was also far too expensive. This was a solid initiation into the season, although drawing the series from a dominant position was bitterly disappointing.
Our next installment will cover the 5 match T20 series against Ireland which should once again be a close contest.
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