Zimbabwe U20 Nationals Discussion

[Eepan]

Matchday 1 sees Zimbabwe U20’s take on Bangladesh U20’s, on a Sunny, Uneven pitch.

https://fromthepavilion.org/commentary. ... Id=6828171

01) Godfrey Nyumbu
02) Anton Misson
03) Benjani Walaza
04) Ballie Rudd
05) Paul Cameron (c)
06) Lofty Pietersen
07) Wynand van der Merwe
08) Francis Masekela
09) Waddington Mbwando
10) Garnett Pithey
11) Thando Mguni

Zimbabwe U20 won the toss and elected to bowl

Bangladesh U20 - (132-5) RR 6.60 – 20 overs – N. Samad (42) I. Mamun (22), T. Mguni (lf) 4-0-14-2 W. Mbwando (rf) 4-0-26-1

- (31-2) after 6 Overs was the dream start to this World Cup Competition for us! Especially as the boundary hitter talent never triggered

- However the accumulator talent did regularly pop, which combined with the rotten luck of Bowling trigger failing twice and 3 dropped catches, meant our bowling type advantage produced opportunities we failed to maximise.

- All ensuring we failed to expose the tail, meaning we had a chase on our hands of 133 runs.


Zimbabwe U20 - (133-5) RR 6.65 – 19.1 overs – P. Cameron (50*) W. van der Merwe (35*), S. Khuro (rf) 4-0-22-2 H. Shah (rm) 4-0-19-0

- I couldn’t understand how medium and finger spinners were taking over the game, giving them the advantage at the 10 over mark.

- Regular wickets resulted in a nervy last 10 overs, needing 77 with just the tail in the shed.

- But Captain Cameron combined with MOTM Van Der Merwe to smash 71 runs from 47 balls taking us to a very fortunate 5 wicket victory.

Zimbabwe U20 won by 5 wickets

Zimbabwe U20 MR 168,008 Bangladesh U20 MR 175,241

Having so many batsmen fail was really disappointing, combined with the dropped chances and failed triggers, we were incredibly lucky to come away with the victory there.

Carried by our top performing 1,2,3 Wynand van der Merwe , Paul Cameron , Thando Mguni, the rest of the side need to step up if we are to go deep this season.



Next up we take on UAE tomorrow on a Uneven pitch, Thanks for tuning in!

[Eepan]

Matchday 2 sees Zimbabwe U20’s take on UAE U20’s, on a Cloudy, Uneven pitch.

https://fromthepavilion.org/commentary. ... Id=6828168

01) Moven Baloyi (c)
02) Lofty Pietersen
03) Ballie Rudd
04) Callum Jackson
05) Benjani Walaza
06) Paul Cameron
07) Reeza Bird
08) Francis Masekela
09) Darlington Chimusasa
10) Waddington Mbwando
11) Thando Mguni

UAE U20 won the toss and elected to bowl.

Zimbabwe U20 - (141-4) RR 7.05 – 20 overs – L. Pietersen (38) M. Baloyi (30), I. Bishr (rm) 4-0-21-1 D. Mihawk (rfm) 4-0-27-1

- We can be pleased that we started so positively, losing a single wicket and pushing to 65-1, much better than yesterdays performance

- However, too many overs below 6 runs, proved costly, as 141 fell below par, but batting first meant we perhaps played it safe to bat the full amount of overs.


UAE U20 (143-4) RR 7.53 – 18.3 overs – H. Hamal (44) J. Mahmoud (28), T. Mguni (lf) 4-0-25-2 W. Mbwando (rf) 3-0-19-0

- In reply we didn’t take enough wickets to put them under pressure, a couple of cheap wickets, and we might have been in the game,

- However they did well to match us during the first 10 overs, then power there way to victory with 9 balls and 6 wickets spare

- Mguni shines again but was unsupported by the other people in the bowling unit, disappointingly.


UAE U20 won by 6 wickets



Zimbabwe U20 MR 166,810 UAE U20 MR 162,792

We didn't bat or bowl well enough, so we deserved to lose.

The best thing we can do is admit UAE outclassed us despite rating lower than us, move on and focus on the remaining 3 games.



Next up we take on New Zealand tomorrow on a Sticky pitch, Thanks for tuning in!

[Eepan]

Matchday 3 sees Zimbabwe U20’s take on New Zealand U20’s, on a Sunny, Sticky pitch.

https://fromthepavilion.org/commentary. ... Id=6828178

01) Moven Baloyi
02) Godfrey Nyumbu
03) Reeza Bird
04) Lofty Pietersen
05) Callum Jackson
06) Anton Misson
07) Barney Dansie (c)
08) Mlungisi Mzimkhulu
09) Jimmy Matema
10) Wynand van der Merwe
11) Garnett Pithey

New Zealand U20 won the toss and elected to bowl.

Zimbabwe U20 - (101-6) RR 5.05 – 20 overs – L. Pietersen (39) B. Dansie (16*), T. Knox (lf) 4-1-18-3 E. Jay (rf) 4-0-10-2

- Put into bat, we did well to survive the new ball but 36-3 felt light, as the dot balls added up

- In the second half we recovered well, to get up to just over 100, helped by drops and misfields

New Zealand U20 - (104-4) RR 5.47 – 18.2 overs – C. Haggie (31) O. Feltham (23), M. Mzimkhulu (lfs) 4-0-15-1 W. van der Merwe (rws) 4-0-25-3

- We built the bowling tactics around taking early wickets and that failed to happen

- New Zealand chase never seemed in doubt, outside of a minor wobble but with 10 runs in the next 2 balls, any hope was immediately wiped out, ensuring they remain undefeated, taking home a 6 wicket victory

New Zealand U20 won by 6 wickets

Zimbabwe U20 MR 162,632 New Zealand U20 MR 176,319

Tough but expected loss against a very strong New Zealand side. At 1-2, we’ll throw everything at the final 2 games, to see if we can progress.



Next up we take on Pakistan tomorrow on a Flat pitch, Thanks for tuning in!

[Eepan]

Matchday 4 sees Zimbabwe U20’s take on Pakistan U20’s, on a Cloudy, Flat pitch.

https://fromthepavilion.org/commentary. ... Id=6828177

01) Reeza Bird
02) Godfrey Nyumbu
03) Benjani Walaza
04) Paul Cameron (c)
05) Ballie Rudd
06) Anton Misson
07) Darlington Chimusasa
08) Francis Masekela
09) Wynand van der Merwe
10) Waddington Mbwando
11) Thando Mguni

Zimbabwe U20 won the toss and elected to bat.

Zimbabwe U20 - (192-1) RR 9.60 - 20 Overs – R. Bird (93*) B. Walaza (72*), F. Shahzad (lf) 4-0-25-1 H. Murad (lws) 4-0-32-0

- After picking the wrong coin toss against Pakistan the last time we faced them, this time on a flat, with Pitch degradation, I thought batting first would help create run rate pressure and then as we are stronger bowlers than batters, take a couple of early wickets, to create NRR pressure

- Bird was incredibly fortunate to be dropped 3 times and avoid a bowling trigger talent to top score unbeaten, Walaza strike rating at 206 for the unbeaten 72 was also great,

- But looking at the scoreboard when all was said and done, we were fortunate to just reach par, but under 200 on a Flat never felt safe.

Pakistan U20 - (195-5) RR 9.75 - 20 Overs – N. Aamer (74*) T. Gul (41*), W. Mbwando (rf) 4-0-38-2 W. van der Merwe (rws) 4-0-28-1

- We started really brightly with 3 wickets in the opening 6 overs, but Pakistan were still scoring well each over

- With the run rate at 14 an over, with Pakistan 5 down, we were hoping for one more wicket to take us into the tail which unfortunately never came

- To lose it on the last ball was gutting, as it 100% ends our chance of progressing in the competition

Pakistan U20 won by 5 wickets

Zimbabwe U20 MR 166,274 Pakistan U20 MR 157,760

I’m gutted but when your poor with the bat, then fail to capitalize on some great wicket taking with the ball, we again deserved to lose.

The Match rating difference is concerning, as for whatever reason I’ve been unable to put a complete performance in this tour, but I’ll see what happens against Canada, then trial some new tactics for the next T20 tour.



To finish up we take on Canada tomorrow on a Green pitch, Thanks for tuning in!

[Eepan]

Matchday 5 sees Zimbabwe U20’s take on Canada U20’s, on a Sunny, Green pitch.

https://www.fromthepavilion.org/comment ... Id=6828167

01) Moven Baloyi (c)
02) Paul Cameron
03) Benjani Walaza
04) Lofty Pietersen
05) Callum Jackson
06) Anton Misson
07) Barney Dansie
08) Jimmy Matema
09) Francis Masekela
10) Waddington Mbwando
11) Garnett Pithey

Canada U20 won the toss and elected to bat.

Canada U20 - (167-5) RR 8.35 – 20 overs – K. Galindo (50) R. Grady (50), G. Pithey (lf) 4-0-20-2 C. Jackson (rfm) 4-0-24-1

- When the first over went for 15 runs, I was dreading how bad we were going to be

Ultimately we allowed to many runs to be scored, despite a flurry of late wickets, 167 was 15 runs over par, giving us a near impossible chase on our hands.

Zimbabwe U20 - (168-3) RR 8.40 – 19.1 overs – P. Cameron (92), N. Crowley (rf) 4-0-48-2 J. Stanley (lm) 4-0-27-0

- Surviving a dropped catch 13 balls in gave us a silver lining, although we were dreading the worst

However our batsmen refused to lie down, even when Canada we’re passing, bar one, every fielding opportunity thrown there way, we ended up chasing down 167 with aplomb.

Bowing out of the world cup at the group stages.

Zimbabwe U20 won by 7 wickets

Zimbabwe U20 MR 162,165 Canada U20 MR 154,573

To ultimately end the tour on 2-3 is disappointing

We were outrated by New Zealand, lost the toss against UAE, then picked the wrong choice when we played Pakistan for the second time in my first tenure!



Tour stats out tomorrow, thanks for supporting Zim!

[Eepan]

Ultimately couldn't get our best players firing,

Magic moments in each game from individuals, but its a squad game, I failed to maximize performances,

Therefore will review orders for Different T20 situations, to come back stronger

[Eepan]

A new season is underway, with us competing in division 1 for the first one day tour!

Below are the squad of players selected to represent Zimbabwe:

Lucas Harding (Kent International CC)
Godfrey Nyumbu (Indian Tigers)
Moven Baloyi (Harare Hammers)
Tinashe Mujuru (Staindrop Rockets)
Antonie Wylie (The Hurlutown Partnership)
Paul Cameron (Farmfield CC)
Anton Misson (Staindrop Cheetahs)

Theuns Harrop (North Cunnett CC)
Simbarashe Ndlovu (The Collywobblers)

Alex O'Keeffe (Kent International CC)

Louis Kessel (RTSprinbok)
Walter Chingoka (Staindrop Rockets)
Mlungisi Mzimkhulu (Staindrop Village CC)
Tendai Zhakata (Brew Boys)
Selborne Bowley (Inner Western Wombats)
Francis Masekela (Lethal Weapons)
Waddington Mbwando (Elka Judd)
Garnett Pithey (Ruff Royals)

Matchday 1 vs Australia U20 - Dry
Matchday 2 vs Bangladesh U20 - Crumbling
Matchday 3 vs Sri Lanka U20 - Slow
Matchday 4 vs Bermuda U20 - Dry
Matchday 5 vs New Zealand U20 - Slow

If we do anything other than lose 5 games and relegate back down to division 2, I’ll be shocked.

Unfortunately the worst pitch combination we could have wanted means we’ll be in for a tough week.

[Eepan]

Matchday 1 sees Zimbabwe U20’s take on Australia U20’s, on a Windy, Dry pitch.

https://fromthepavilion.org/commentary. ... Id=6889997

01) Moven Baloyi
02) Tinashe Mujuru
03) Lucas Harding
04) Theuns Harrop (c)
05) Paul Cameron
06) Antonie Wylie
07) Francis Masekela
08) Walter Chingoka
09) Mlungisi Mzimkhulu
10) Louis Kessel
11) Garnett Pithey

Australia U20 won the toss and elected to bat.

Australia U20 - (276-5) RR 5.52 – 50 overs – R. Malceski (100) B. McGinis (48), W. Chingoka (rws) 10-1-32-1 L. Kessel (rws) 10-2-52-1

- After a terrific start (59-0) off the first 10, The Aussies never looked back.

- Capitalising on our poor finishing, they posted a formidable 276 with 5 wickes spare

- Our MOTM Walter Chingoka with the leading figures for us, was stood on an island, with chaos all around him.

Zimbabwe U20 - (199-10) RR 4.23 – 46.2 overs – M. Baloyi (45) T. Mujuru (33), R. Anthony (rfs) 10-0-36-3 J. Attenborough (rws) 10-1-36-1

- We started just as brightly with no wickets lost but 57 runs scored

- However we lost the thread once our openers departed, useful for fatigue, but damaging to our NRR.

Australia U20 won by 77 runs

Zimbabwe U20 MR 161,193 Australia U20 MR 186,451

The ratings difference was disgusting, but justified my resting of 1 key player. Looking at div 2, Kenya posted a 179K, England 174k, but we’ll see.



Next up we take on Bangladesh tomorrow on a Crumbling pitch, Thanks for tuning in!

[Eepan]

Matchday 2 sees Zimbabwe U20’s take on Bangladesh U20’s, on a Cloudy, Crumbling pitch.

https://fromthepavilion.org/commentary. ... Id=6889991

01) Godfrey Nyumbu
02) Anton Misson
03) Paul Cameron
04) Lucas Harding
05) Antonie Wylie (c)
06) Simbarashe Ndlovu
07) Alex O'Keeffe
08) Francis Masekela
09) Walter Chingoka
10) Mlungisi Mzimkhulu
11) Waddington Mbwando

Bangladesh U20 won the toss and elected to bat.

Bangladesh U20 - (145-10) RR 3.30 – 43.3 overs – I. Hassan (35) A. Kamal (25), M. Mzimkhulu (lfs) 8-2-13-1 W. Mbwando (rf) 10-1-25-2

It was amazing to see the general tactics I’d planned in my head pretty much execute on the field, with Overs 1 to 30 being pretty text book for a crumbling, with them scoring 94/4.

The 30 to 40 Over period did bring them back into the game, but fortunately our MOTM Francis Masekela after all these tours finally made a major impact on the result. Finishing 6 overs short allowed us to chase with lower pressure.


Zimbabwe U20 - (146-4) RR 3.48 – 41.2 overs – G. Nyumbu (49) L. Harding (38), S. Azad (lm) 7.2-1-21-1 I. Kholi (rws) 8-1-23-1

- We got off to a slow start, but when we saw off the new ball without losing a wicket, we always felt confident.
With fewer boundaries and worse fielding than our opponents, it was a slog to get over the finish line, but surprisingly we did, gaining our first 2 points of the season!

- Nyumbu 1 run short of a half century was gutting, Harding's not out guided us home, then good support from the other batsmen ensured our 5 bowlers weren’t needed in the chase


Zimbabwe U20 won by 6 wickets


Zimbabwe U20 MR 169,816 Bangladesh U20 MR 166,747

- Delighted! As I was certain we’d end this tour 0-5. We’re in this weird place where we want Australia & New Zealand to win as much as possible, which just feels wrong

- But We’ve given ourselves a chance!



Next up we take on Sri Lanka tomorrow on a Slow pitch, Thanks for tuning in!

[epcguy]

Great work pal....nice little win.....my boys are doing ok

[Eepan]

Great work pal....nice little win.....my boys are doing ok

Cheers mate! So much Staindrop talent! It's fun to pick and choose, but try not to take too many! Key part in us fighting against the drop!

[Eepan]

Matchday 3 sees Zimbabwe U20’s take on Sri Lanka U20’s, on a Windy, Slow pitch.

https://fromthepavilion.org/commentary. ... Id=6889993

01) Godfrey Nyumbu
02) Moven Baloyi
03) Tinashe Mujuru
04) Antonie Wylie
05) Simbarashe Ndlovu
06) Anton Misson
07) Alex O'Keeffe
08) Louis Kessel
09) Selborne Bowley
10) Waddington Mbwando
11) Garnett Pithey

Sri Lanka U20 won the toss and elected to bat.

Sri Lanka U20 - (241-8) RR 4.82 – 50 overs – U. Maithripala (85) D. Kehelgamuwa (35), S. Bowley (rm) 10-2-39-2 A. O'Keeffe (rm) 10-0-45-2

- Once Sri Lanka dealt with our twin pacer attack, I thought we were in trouble, however the bowling change proved fruitful with a double wicket maiden straight after

Mini partnerships then dotted the innings with the tail wagging, ensured a monster final 10 overs, batting the full 50 and posting a great target to chase

Zimbabwe U20 - (204-10).RR 4.25 – 48 overs – T. Mujuru (80) S. Bowley (32), B. Suren (lfs) 10-1-31-1 T. Kassier (rfs) 10-1-33-2

- We felt the pressure of chasing from the off, compared to our opponents who grew into the game.

Our MOTM Tinashe Mujuru fought as hard as he could for his 80 but was unsupported in his heroics to try and save us!

Considering we were better in the field but worse in the extras, I was sure we were going to push them all the way. But when 5 of your top 6 fail, we deserved to lose.

Sri Lanka U20 won by 37 runs

Zimbabwe U20 MR 161,356 Sri Lanka U20 MR 168,150

Summed up in the discord where their better players, better suited to conditions took the deserved win.

Considering we fielded so well, and had a couple of triggers fail, we couldn’t break the partnerships up which hurts.

Still we are well in with a chance, if we beat Bermuda today, Australia beat Bangla, then final day Sri Lanka beat Bangla.

With our best 2 batsmen & Spinners back for these games, we’ll try our best!



Next up we take on Bermuda tomorrow on a Dry pitch, Thanks for tuning in!

[Eepan]

Matchday 4 sees Zimbabwe U20’s take on Bermuda U20’s, on a Windy, Dry pitch.

https://fromthepavilion.org/commentary. ... Id=6889998

01) Moven Baloyi
02) Godfrey Nyumbu
03) Lucas Harding
04) Theuns Harrop
05) Paul Cameron (c)
06) Anton Misson
07) Tendai Zhakata
08) Francis Masekela
09) Walter Chingoka
10) Mlungisi Mzimkhulu
11) Garnett Pithey

Zimbabwe U20 won the toss and elected to bowl.

Bermuda U20 - (286-3) RR 5.72 - 50 Overs – G. Christopher (95) K. Warner (87), M. Mzimkhulu (lfs) 10-1-32-0 T. Zhakata (rfs) 10-1-42-1

- Really disappointing to drop the catch in the first over, it was a nice foreshadow for the remainder of the innings,
- Bermuda performed exceptionally well to bat out the 50 overs, not losing many wickets, to ensure they powered to a 286-3

Zimbabwe U20 - (164-10). - RR 3.73 - 43.1 Overs – M. Baloyi (74) G. Nyumbu (40), S. Gangapersad (rfs) 10-1-19-2 G. Hull (rws) 10-3-41-3

- Our MOTM Moven Bayloyi used his Opening talent to Start strongly with also Opener Nyumbu, but after the openers departed, we managed to crumble for 164 all out, well short.

Bermuda U20 won by 122 runs

Zimbabwe U20 MR 161,200 Bermuda U20 MR 161,492

With that, I think we are relegated. We’ll take and the experience and come back stronger.

Bowling first may be seen as a mistake, I was just hoping for quick wickets to cause an easy chase, but amazingly the polar opposite happened.



To finish up we take on New Zealand tomorrow on a Slow pitch, Thanks for tuning in!

[Eepan]

Matchday 5 sees Zimbabwe U20’s take on New Zealand U20’s, on a Cloudy, Slow pitch.

https://fromthepavilion.org/commentary. ... Id=6890001

01) Tinashe Mujuru
02) Lucas Harding
03) Paul Cameron
04) Simbarashe Ndlovu
05) Theuns Harrop
06) Antonie Wylie (C)
07) Alex O'Keeffe
08) Selborne Bowley
09) Francis Masekela
10) Waddington Mbwando
11) Mlungisi Mzimkhulu

New Zealand U20 won the toss and elected to bat.

New Zealand U20 - (209-10) RR 4.45 – 46.2 overs – R. Le Lievre (56) H. Neville (43), W. Mbwando (rf) 10-2-28-2 F. Masekela (lfm) 8-1-31-0

Although we did well to take 10 wickets, my aggressive tactics were negated both early on, then at 186/9 ensuring 209 on a day 5 pitch being a tough chase

Zimbabwe U20 - (186-10) RR 4.33 – 43 overs – L. Harding (60) S. Ndlovu (28), H. Breman (rm) 9-1-21-2 E. Jay (rf) 10-2-28-3

- We did really well to push, especially with the tail, but again batsmen struggling ensure we fall short.

New Zealand U20 won by 23 runs

Zimbabwe U20 MR 163,377 New Zealand U20 MR 165,747

So we finish in last place with a 1-4 record. With only consistently strong pace bowling and tail batting, not having the spinners to be competitive meant we were always going to struggle.

I’m keen to take the experience, and push towards the World Cup



Thanks for supporting Zim!

[Eepan]

Tour Stats One Day Division 1 Season 59