Can you please put Ashish or someone else back? Faisal is horrible in his match reports. He is much better off doing investigative journalism, like what did a retired off-spinner from Aruba say today.
This is almost cruel -but it is my duty to point out more arithmetical nightmares for Faisal - 344 -181 would be 163 not 263 And Games Involving Australia and India would account only for 33% of the league games - not 50% - it would be 50% of the tournament only if India and Australia play 3 final games Not that it matters but I am having a bad day at office and this surely has made my day for amusement .
It clearly shows from the current VB series, that to defeat the Australian team, not only hard-working, but an immensely talented team is required to topple them over. India is just about getting the balance right, which is why we are the closest challengers of Australia, but it seems that Zimbabwe is only a hard-working side with no talent, apart from Streak and Taibu. And where IS Douglas Marillier? OK, he became famous with just one innings, but it is apparent that he has more talent than say, someone like a Sibanda or Vermeulen. Matsikenyeri is the youngest Test centurion (if I am not mistaken) and he too, needs to be nurtured carefully. Sean Ervine and Andy Blignaut too, need to pull up their socks, and quickly, if Zimbabwe are to be a serious contender, forget against Australia, at least against India. They had their best chance against Australia probably in the second match at Sydney, where 225 didn't seem to be a huge target. But again, only Streak and Taibu were the batsmen who were able to put bat to ball. Even in the India match, the Indians have themselves to blame, allowing Zimbabwe to reach 208/6 after reducing them to 115/6. Zimbabwe, pull up your socks, or else...
I am not surprised as Aussies whip Zimbabwe. You can see that current Zim team does not have players of International levels. Except Heath Streek and Grant Flower, nobody has a class. After Andy's retirement I feel that Grant is upset and could not delivered up to his level. However there are some young bloods like Taibu, Irvins, Blignaut and Vermulen in Zim team, from whom we can expect good performances. It seems that Vermulen is out of form. Nothing to say about this current Zim team. They have disappointed us. If they have players like Great Dave Houghton, Alister Campbell, Andy Flower, Neil Johnson, Murray Goodwin, Guy Whittal, Andy Pycroft, Edo Brandies etc. then picture of Zim cricket will be different. Anyway wishing all the best to Zim team for remaining matches against Indians and Aussies. May god bless them.
Also I would like to state here that Gilly's inning of 172 does not mean to me, because it has been delivered against poor bowling attack of Zim (Except Heath Streak) All credit should be given to Zim bowlers for Gilly's inning.
What did you mean by """"""The defeat, by 263 runs, almost confirmed that the VB Series would be a two-horse race between Australia and India"""""". Where did you get that figure of 263. Didn't Zimbabwe lose by 148 runs. Are you going the Ashish Magotra way. You guys should be more attentive and responsible with facts and figures.
FAisal Sorry to nit-pick but somehow, I find it amusing that your emotional side always beats up your logical side fair and square. How else do you explain this: "Between 10th and 33rd overs, not a single over went for less than 9 runs" Even asuming that no over went for more than 9 runs, that is 207 runs between 10th and 33rd overs alone. Now, what is wrong with taht, you will ask me. Only, a few lines earlier, you mentioned that Australia reached 200 in the 34th over!
Well, thought I will mention anyway. Maybe Rediff needs to employ a Maths seceretary for you! (Nothing wrong with that,though. Einstein was probably bad at German!)
