OnSport Reporter
The Proteas’ fire was too hot for the Chevrons in the recent test series. What was expected to be a fiercely contested battle for the Limpopo series turned out to be a one-way affair.
The hundreds of fans who braved the somewhat chilly Bulawayo winter for the two test matches were short-changed by the lethargic show put up by the Chevrons. There wasn’t much to write home about for the Chevrons, other than Sean Williams’ fightback in both matches.
However, Williams’ solo fight did not result in any positive outcome as the Chevrons succumbed to the Protea fire by a whopping 328 runs.
If the first test loss was an embarrassment, the second test was a total disgrace. The Wiaan Mulder-captained side flexed its muscle and knocked out Craig Ervine and his boys by an innings and 236 runs. To make matters worse, Mulder declared at a record 367 not out, just 33 runs shy of Brian Lara’s legendary 400 against England.
If anything, Mulder decided to declare out of respect for the great Lara. Had that not been the case, perhaps Mulder would have batted throughout the day at Queens Sports Clubs.
The Zimbabwean bowling lineup struggled, failing to capitalise in both matches after cornering the Proteas openers. As a matter of fact, both Tony De Zorzi and David Bedingham were easy pickings for Tanaka Chavanga.
Chavanga became the leading wicket-taker for the Chevrons, perhaps showing his potential as a reliable third pacer in future. It was clear that the Chevrons missed the services of Richard Ngarava.
Moreover, it can be argued that without Blessing Muzarabani, the Chevrons are devoid of a strike bowler. ZC selectors must cast the net wider or better yet retain the familiar faces that have featured prominently in the past. Victor Nyauchi, Bradley Evans, and Tendai Chatara or even Bulawayo boys Ernest Masuku and Ainsley Ndlovu are some of the familiar bowlers who deserved a shot in the second test when calamity signs were imminent.
Masuku and Ndlovu are all too familiar with the Queens Sports Club wicket and they also have good stats in domestic cricket to prop them.
The injury to Brian Bennett not only dented the batting order, it exposed the gap that is there between the Bennett-Curran opening partnership and other combinations. Wesley Madhevere was nowhere to be seen, Nick Welch struggled, Takudzwanashe Kaitano was a walking wicket, Tafadzwa Tsiga failed dismally with the bat, and skipper Ervine did not live up to expectations.
With rumors of a Brendan Taylor return, perhaps the wicket-keeping and batting order of the Chevrons might stabilise. Nyasha Mayavo should also be considered for the wicket-keeping role. However, the Chevrons might also try Mathew Welch and Brian Chari as top order batters. The wait for Antum Naqvi, another batting prospect, continues as the Australian-born batter switches allegiance to Zimbabwe.
The Proteas exposed the Chevrons with both bat and ball. Dropped catches were once again a major undoing for Justin Sammons’ men. It was evident that Zimbabwe still has a long way to go in test cricket. The Chevrons might have flattered to deceive in Bangladesh and England where they fought bravely. A reality check is more than necessary as the SA tour was a complete disaster.
The fans were not asking for a bashing of the Proteas, these are world champions; the fans were asking for a fight, something to cheer the Castle Corner at Queens Sports Club. On the contrary, the fans were treated to some world-class batting by Mulder and his boys.
What made the Protea fire more exhilarating was the centuries scored by all-rounders Cobin Borsch and Lhuan-dre Pretorius in the first test. The Protea fire rose and thundered when Borsch aced his century. Debutant Pretorius also rescued the Proteas when Chavanga was menacing in the first test. He went on to score a well-deserved century, something that could not be replicated by the Zimbabweans in their home turf.
The Protea fire was indeed too hot for the Chevrons, and this tour was a humbling experience for Zimbabwe cricket. A lot needs to be done before the New Zealand Kiwis land for the next red-ball cricket at Queens Sports Club.
In the meantime, the Castle Corner will be composing new songs that will be belted during the matches. Until then, the Chevrons must go back to the nets, and ZC selectors have a tall order on their shoulders. Rhetorical questions have been asked about the players selected to represent the nation.
Protea Fire Exposes Chevrons’ Frailties
