Zimbabwe slump to a dramatic loss from a winning position.
By msdivkar
@msdivkar (23356)
India
November 5, 2011 11:45am CST
After being in a winning position for most part of the final day, Zimbabwe slumped dramatically from 265 for 3 to 331 all out giving New Zealand victory in one off test by 34 runs. The valiant effort of their skipper Brendon Taylor who scored 117 of just 147 balls was thus wasted by lower order batting line up. Zimbabwe at tea were on a strong position at 265 for 3 needing another 101 runs to win with manageable run rate but the fall of Taylor on second ball after tea without any addition to the total, Zimbabwe made a dramatic collapse loosing all remaining wicket for the addition of only 66 runs needing another 35 runs for victory and less then six overs to play for a creditable draw. Zimbabwe however can hold their head high even in the loss the way they went for a win against their more fancied opponents and almost made it barring the final hurdle. Your views please.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
5 Nov 11
I think this is one sign of a team that is not very much experienced. They manage to get themselves in winning position, but cannot quite finish the deal. I think Taylor has been in the form of his life, since taking over the captaincy. His partnership with Taibu was going to be the cornerstone for this chance, but once he fell the rest simply collapsed!!
Cheers!
Ram
@msdivkar (23356)
• India
6 Nov 11
You are right ram, Zimbabwe is indeed an inexperienced side and they were in with a chance to win till Taylor and Taibu were together but the way they took up such a huge target on final day is appreciable even the established test sides would have not dared to chase that target instead they would have played fore draw right from beginning.
@madhuvamsi (1185)
• India
7 Nov 11
Wow what an performance by Zimbabwe. In-spite of New Zealand win the match they were not at their best against bottom placed Zimbabwe. I was very much impressed by the performance of B Taylor, his dismissal made Zimbabwe lose the game if not it would have been curtains for Kiwis.
