Story Azza manages Zimbabwe :O [ICC 2005]

[gary0808]

I've started my own Zimbabwe game thanks to you. I'll keep you updated

 

[Azza!]

Good news mate - I encourage all readers to give Zimbabwe a good go.

Let me know of any wins in this thread!

Just remember:
1. Keep patient - it could take a year or more for a solitary win. But they do come over time and practice
2. Keep the younger blokes on Batting/Bowling Technique in the Coach & Physio and they should improve slowly.
3. Don't overestimate their ability. They wont easily slog like the Australias and Indias.

I bid you good luck!

 

[duffarama]

Moved to Cricket Games Stories & Strategies Forum.

 

[Azza!]

TOUR OF INDIA OCTOBER-NOVEMBER

Zimbabwe flys over to India for what is anticipated to be a walkover. The Zimbabweans flew over to the sub-continent the day after the last ODI against Pakistan. A break would have been nice ICC! They have treated us unfairly at this time of year. The last ODI is on November 22, and the 1st ODI against Bangladesh IN Zimbabwe is November 24! Meaning we have to fly home and we're straight onto the field. An appalling idea on their behalf. I wouldnt be surprised if we're left with some exhaustion or injuries after this tour.

TOUR ITINERARY:
3 day warm-up v Karnataka
2 Tests
3 ODIs

Managers Note: - After the ODI series win v Pakistan, I am fresh full of confidence for some competitive results in the ODIs. However, India are much classier and 4 spots above their sub-continent rivals.
My tour goals:
- Win an ODI
- Keep India to under 500
- Make them bat twice

Tour Match:
Karnataka 6-604dec. (Chougule 160no Arunkumar 143 Mbangwa 3-153)
drew with
Zimbabwe 189 (Went 44 Kumble 3-20) and 6-238 (Maungwa 96 Kumble 3-70)

- An appalling performance. They tormented us with the bat and we couldnt even cut it for 200 in the first innings. If this doesnt improve, we will get decapitated in all parts of the tests.

To be continued..

 

[Hamish]

India will be a tough challenge, and even tougher with that loss against Karnataka....

Good luck. I'm sure you will do well as your team is gradually rising in performances...

 

[gary0808]

It's not a win but my first day as Zimbabwe coach. I managed to restrict New Zealand to 242-8. Price got 3 wickets.

 

[Azza!]

NB: No point in publishing some series as they were whitewashed and one-sided. Dull stuff.

ZIMBABWE TOUR ENGLAND: MAY-JUNE 2008

- Zimbabwe are coming off a shocking end to the 2007 season with whitewash series losses to South Africa, Australia and Bangladesh. The team is rock bottom on morale, and to add to the problems - crisis talks are being held to keep the board from splitting and Zimbabwe cricket dying off.

TOUR ITINERARY:
3 day match v Combined Universities
3 day match v Sussex
3 day match v Northhamptonshire
NPower Test Series (2 matches)
1 day match v Derbyshire
Natwest Series v England/South Africa (6 matches + finals)

Managers note: Our longest tour yet and this time I'm pleased with the schedule we recieve. We get reasonable breaks between matches to allow recovery, however the Natwest Series is pretty crammed in and any injuries will destroy us. The team is low on self-esteem and confidence, but the leadership group and more experienced players are driving the determination to bounce back. Should be interesting. I'm expecting a one-sided affair in the Tests and some competitive games in the tri-nations if we go on previous records.

ZIMBABWE AND EWING OFF TO A FLYING START
Combined Univs 247 (Huckerby 85 Ewing 6-55) and 4-132 (Payne 55 Ewing 2-31)
drew with
Zimbabwe 552 (Ewing 206no Goodwin 94)

Managers note: A sensational game from the boys, a brilliant all-round team performance. We bowled them out for under 250 and scored 500+, a mammoth total for our standards. I witnessed the first double century by a Zimbabwean since I took charge in May 2006. Gavin Ewing with a fantastic double ton off just 250 balls. He absolutely destroyed the inexperienced attack, and now we are building confidence.

EWING CONTINUES TO FLY THE FLAG - ZIMBABWE REACH 500 AGAIN
Sussex 358 (Montgomerie 80 Ewing 6-104) and 2-94 (Montgomerie 54no Rainsford 2-43)
drew with
Zimbabwe 521 (Maungwa 147 Ewing 91)

Managers note: This is a flying start to the tour. In conditions of swing and seam we destroyed an experienced Sussex attack in another innings of over 500. Our batting and bowling are looking fresh, and perhaps the experience we continue to gain is finally working.

STRYDOM SMASHES 300 AS ZIMBABWE ROMP NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Zimbabwe 613 (Strydom 300 Goodwin 166)
drew with
N'Hants 7-163 (Price 4-32)

Managers note: I am absolutely stunned. The cricketing world is stunned. G Strydom has smashed his way to a stunning triple century. We blasted the attack to our highest ever total of 613. We've batted 3 innings, and average a total of 562. Truly amazing for the nation on the bottom of the ranks. Murray Goodwin smacked 166, a fantastic innings to be overshadowed and forgotten like Adam Gilchrists 113 against us 5 years back on the day of Haydens 380. We also had them out for less than 200 had we been given another session. This test series may see our first test victory (exc. Bangladesh) with a bit of luck!

OH SO CLOSE - ENGLAND LUCKY TO SALVAGE A DRAW
England 503 (Newman 222 Price 5-154) and 7-252dec (Vaughan 85 Price 2-75)
drew with
Zimbabwe 602 (Chari 194 Maungwa 117 Davies 4-136) and 8-76 (Maungwa 31 Harmison 4-27)

Managers note: We were certainly the much better side over the 5 days, and certainly were unlucky not to win. Don't let the 8-76 fool you - they gave us an hour for a target of 150 and the batsman decided to go for the win before collapsing and shutting up shop. The batting was superb, and the bowling in the 2nd innings: Brilliant. If we had the 2 hours we lost for rain, we may have set on for a steady victory. Fantastic effort.

JOYOUS ZIMBABWEANS RECIEVE BRUTAL REALITY CHECK
England 7-604dec (Strauss 159 Vaughan 138 Ewing 4-204)
defeated
Zimbabwe 166 (Goodwin 46rt. Anderson 3-28) and 228 Blignaut 59 (Harmison 4-54)

Managers note: The massive high came crashing back down to earth against a much improved batting English side. Let the scoreline of 1-308 at Stumps on Day 1 tell the story. Not even with defensive attitudes could we keep out the likes of Anderson and Harmison with their new reverse swing attacks. Now our attention focuses to the Natwest Series, and the boys minds wont be fazed by this test, but enlightened by the previous 4 games of cricket to turn to.

Attached images: Zimbabweans protest Robert Mugabes attempt to take over the ZCU, the picturesque Riverside Ground hosts the 2nd test, and the rundown of Gregory Strydoms magnificient 300

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[MWaugh]

hey mate. very nice looking thread you have got going here. keep up the good work

 

[Left_Hander]

Keep up the good work Azza!

 

[Azza!]

Are people still interested in this or will I be wasting my time now? I would just like to know if this is worth keeping up

 

[w3lshrugby]

i've always really enjoyed reading this thread! keep it up!

 

[Mr. Kurns]

Keep it up Azza!

 

[gary0808]

Yeah. Ijust thought you had given up

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Yea, please continue. I gave up with Zimbabwe, it would be nice to see someone get them to the top.