Trouble-prone Zimbabwe reach predictable draw

A fine match for the Canterbury, and a disasterous one for Zimbabwe ended in a tame draw at Jade Stadium today.

Whilst Canterbury captain Gary Stead could congratulate his team on a "superb game", Zimbabwe manager Babu Meman bemoaned the "major disasters" that struck his men.

Zimbabwe began day three on 112/4, but after a rain break of almost an hour disintegrated to career best bowling from policeman Shane Bond and debutant Wade Cornelius. Coach Garry MacDonald commented that he thought Bond was as quick as anyone in New Zealand at present.

On the day when New Zealand won the CricInfo Women's World Cup at nearby Lincoln, few people were interested in the inevitable draw at Jade. Canterbury, 180 ahead, did not enforce the follow on, in order to give Nathan Astle some batting practice. It never happened.

Robbie Frew and Hamish Barton grasped their opportunity to make themselves a regular opening partnership, by adding 122 attractive runs, mainly in the 32 overs bowled between lunch and tea.

It was during this session that another catastrophe befell Zimbabwe. Dirk Viljoen cracked the knuckle of his left little finger. Bryan Strang, nursing a back strain, was forced onto the field as Zimbabwe had no other players available.

Heath Streak, Stuart Carlisle and Alistair Campbell were at the team hotel recovering from flu, while Travis Friend was having a scan on an ankle injury. All four, plus Strang, will be fit for the Boxing Day test at Wellington.

Unfortunately, Grant Flower, who ironically broke his right index finger fielding a throw from Viljoen yesterday, will not play. Neither will left hander Viljoen, who was fielding a ball thrown by Henry Olonga.

Olonga, who was due to go home following his poor form on the India leg of the Zimbabweans tour, was one of the few pluses of the game for them. He bowled himself back into test contention, as did his intended replacement, Angus Mackay, the 33 year old seamer, making his Zimbabwe debut in this game. Olonga, who took 3/78 in the first innings bowled eight quick overs for just seven runs in the second.

Friend, reckoned to be a great quick bowling prospect by tour fitness trainer and former Zimbabwe test player Malcolm Jarvis, will definitely play, as will accurate legspinner Brian Murphy. Impressive 22 year old Doug Marillier looks set to make his test debut.

Marillier began the day with a flurry of shots, but got out hooking on 73, when he realised he was running out of partners. Mluleiki Nkala pulled badly too, with Jarvis commenting the batsmen were in one day mode following the India tour. Bond and Cornelius each had career bests, finishing with 5/51 and 3/31 respectively. It was mentioned that convenor of selectors Sir Richard Hadlee might have been watching this game rather than the rather more glamourous Women's World Cup final, 20 minutes away.

So as a strong Canterbury norwester blew the Zimbabweans on their way to Wellington, they can only reflect on a miserable time in the region. But, just as the New Zealand women produced a shock result against the Australians today, the Zimbabweans cannot be discounted, despite their terrible misfortune this week.