The edge that wasn't and a Taylor failure
Plays of the Day from the second Test between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh
Firdose Moonda in Harare
26-Apr-2013
Robiul Islam celebrates while Regis Chakabva rues the absence of DRS • AFP
Shot of the day
Sohag Gazi made the first ripple on a quiet morning when he decided to take on Zimbabwe's best bowler, Keegan Meth. Mid-way through the morning session and almost out of nowhere, Gazi gave Meth the charge. He lofted a length ball over midwicket and stood back to admire his own hit. It was cleanly struck and well-placed and took Meth by complete surprise. He was moving the ball both ways and challenging the batsmen and did not expect to be taken on in that fashion. Meth followed up, as any hot-headed fast bowler does, with a bouncer.
Sohag Gazi made the first ripple on a quiet morning when he decided to take on Zimbabwe's best bowler, Keegan Meth. Mid-way through the morning session and almost out of nowhere, Gazi gave Meth the charge. He lofted a length ball over midwicket and stood back to admire his own hit. It was cleanly struck and well-placed and took Meth by complete surprise. He was moving the ball both ways and challenging the batsmen and did not expect to be taken on in that fashion. Meth followed up, as any hot-headed fast bowler does, with a bouncer.
Over of the day
When Bangladesh's innings ended with 12 minutes to go before lunch, most assumed the break would be taken. Not so in this game. Since the changeover is limited to 10 minutes and time is the most sacred commodity in a Test match, the umpires indicated a solitary over would be bowled in the two minutes before the scheduled break. It was a testing six balls for Zimbabwe's openers, as Robiul Islam gave them a taste of what was to come later with his away swing, and they would not have gone into the dining room with much of an appetite.
When Bangladesh's innings ended with 12 minutes to go before lunch, most assumed the break would be taken. Not so in this game. Since the changeover is limited to 10 minutes and time is the most sacred commodity in a Test match, the umpires indicated a solitary over would be bowled in the two minutes before the scheduled break. It was a testing six balls for Zimbabwe's openers, as Robiul Islam gave them a taste of what was to come later with his away swing, and they would not have gone into the dining room with much of an appetite.
Missing DRS moment of the day
Even if both teams agreed, there is simply not enough in the way of funding for this series to accommodate DRS but it could have been put to good use. For evidence of that, one need look no further than Regis Chakabva's dismissal. Robiul delivered his stock ball - pitching on off and moving away and Chakabva stretched forward but was beaten. Mushfiqur Rahim collected and Robiul led the appeal for caught behind. Chakabva stood until Tony Hill raised the finger when he walked off in disbelief. Replays showed he had not hit the ball and the sound was the result of bat against pad. It was a classic example of where the batsman is so sure that he would have asked for the review had it been available.
Even if both teams agreed, there is simply not enough in the way of funding for this series to accommodate DRS but it could have been put to good use. For evidence of that, one need look no further than Regis Chakabva's dismissal. Robiul delivered his stock ball - pitching on off and moving away and Chakabva stretched forward but was beaten. Mushfiqur Rahim collected and Robiul led the appeal for caught behind. Chakabva stood until Tony Hill raised the finger when he walked off in disbelief. Replays showed he had not hit the ball and the sound was the result of bat against pad. It was a classic example of where the batsman is so sure that he would have asked for the review had it been available.
Soft dismissal of the day
There had to be one but this time it came from an unlikely source. Brendan Taylor had been Zimbabwe's example in the first Test and looked set to do the same in this one. He saw off dot ball after dot ball and only allowed himself the occasional release but even he couldn't resist when Gazi tossed one up invitingly. Taylor eyed the area over midwicket and launched it there but picked out Shakib Al Hasan. He knew immediately that he made a mistake and Zimbabwe would have to depend on someone else this time.
There had to be one but this time it came from an unlikely source. Brendan Taylor had been Zimbabwe's example in the first Test and looked set to do the same in this one. He saw off dot ball after dot ball and only allowed himself the occasional release but even he couldn't resist when Gazi tossed one up invitingly. Taylor eyed the area over midwicket and launched it there but picked out Shakib Al Hasan. He knew immediately that he made a mistake and Zimbabwe would have to depend on someone else this time.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent