*Official* Zimbabwe in England (One Off Test)

[Silly Point 2.0]

As fair and eloquent as ever, old chap

I get the impression I'm a bit too blunt for this forum at times I must admit

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Tim Southee has been drafted in a ‘specialist skills consultant’

The specialist skills:

 

[The_Rey]

Tim Southee has been drafted in a ‘specialist skills consultant’

The specialist skills:

I'd trust him to open the batting more than Crawley, mind

 

[SeamUp]

Warm-up game started today.

https://m.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scores/118961/pccsxi-vs-zim-4-day-warm-up-match-zimbabwe-tour-of-england-2025

 

[kevinw]

Warm-up game started today.

https://m.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scores/118961/pccsxi-vs-zim-4-day-warm-up-match-zimbabwe-tour-of-england-2025

Athers Jr opened and a 120 run partnership for the ninth wicket for England.

 

[Chin Music]

I'd trust him to open the batting more than Crawley, mind

I have to say that his continued selection, along with that of Bashir really irk me. There has been no need to perform either at test level, or county level. The only alternative opener that has been tried, was Dan Lawrence when Crawley was injured and you don't need to know jack about batting technique, to know that Lawrence was never an opener. I really wouldn't have minded seeing Ben McKinney get a go, even though you have to say that even a huge score for any incomer would have only very limited meaning but its the message that is sent out to others I don't like.

 

[kevinw]

I have to say that his continued selection, along with that of Bashir really irk me. There has been no need to perform either at test level, or county level. The only alternative opener that has been tried, was Dan Lawrence when Crawley was injured and you don't need to know jack about batting technique, to know that Lawrence was never an opener. I really wouldn't have minded seeing Ben McKinney get a go, even though you have to say that even a huge score for any incomer would have only very limited meaning but its the message that is sent out to others I don't like.

Burns, Sibley and Hameed had been tried and didn't perform as well as desired, and Crawley wasn't really any worse. Whoever we pick is destined to average 28-30. However with Haines and McKinney yet to be selected there should be huge pressure on Crawley. But with India and Australia to come, the easy option will be to keep him.

 

[Chin Music]

Burns, Sibley and Hameed had been tried and didn't perform as well as desired, and Crawley wasn't really any worse. Whoever we pick is destined to average 28-30. However with Haines and McKinney yet to be selected there should be huge pressure on Crawley. But with India and Australia to come, the easy option will be to keep him.

Oh, I'm aware of who has tried and essentially failed. However, my belief is that England go up against two big sides who have more obvious flaws than the previous times that England have played them, but there are 3 spots with players who are far below the performance levels that you would expect. Crawley has been awful for a year, Pope's best series of recent times was as a keeper batter in NZ when he batted down the order and Bashir has been on a vast downhill slope since the start of the Sri Lanka series last year. If they continue to not perform once India come, you would hope that someone else gets a go sooner rather than later.

 

[Chubb]

Bennett and Williams are both going well at the moment. Zimbos look much more comfortable when the sun is out yesterday they looked freezing.

 

[chris.hinton]

Thankfully this will only be one test - England *should* win and win with a good deal of ease, Perhaps in 3 days if the weather is fine

But it will not change the problems that exist in the England setup, But at least Hussain and Atherton with Sky sports will spend a few hours selling what a great side England are

I actually hope Zimbabwe do give us a good game

Am i underestimating Zimbabwe?

 

[Thala_0710]

Thankfully this will only be one test - England *should* win and win with a good deal of ease, Perhaps in 3 days if the weather is fine

But it will not change the problems that exist in the England setup, But at least Hussain and Atherton with Sky sports will spend a few hours selling what a great side England are

I actually hope Zimbabwe do give us a good game

Am i underestimating Zimbabwe?

If Zim can restrict Root&Brook they'll be in the game

 

[Nicky]

I think the weaknesses in England's line up are Crawley & Pope.
I wish Bairstow would replace Crawley, and Bethell would replace Pope.

 

[kevinw]

I think the weaknesses in England's line up are Crawley & Pope.
I wish Bairstow would replace Crawley, and Bethell would replace Pope.

Well yes, I'd have spent this test trying out Haines and Cox had he been fit (Rew now). I doubt the selectors would risk any outsiders doing well now.

 

[Nicky]

Yeah... Bairstow is performing pretty well in FC with Yorkshire against Surrey. 89 in the first innings and 51* in the second and still batting (at an SR of 127 which should catch the eyes of Baz & Stokes)

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Zimbabwe lose to the Professional County Select XI, not the best look, but in fairness, the Lions beat Sri Lanka and England almost came unstuck against the Prime Minister's XI in New Zealand last year

 

[chris.hinton]

Zimbabwe lose to the Professional County Select XI, not the best look, but in fairness, the Lions beat Sri Lanka and England almost came unstuck against the Prime Minister's XI in New Zealand last year

It was a decent side that the PCA put out in fairness. Zimbabwe will have to get used to the conditions has well

Glad there is a warm up match

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

It was a decent side that the PCA put out in fairness. Zimbabwe will have to get used to the conditions has well

Glad there is a warm up match

Encouraging signs for England, after the Lions beat Sri Lanka last year, another young team beats a full-strength Test nation, yes neither side were up to speed, but there’s some talent in the Zimbabwe side, just as there was plenty in the Sri Lanka side