da brdice： It was a momentous day for Zimbabwe, the minnows of Test cricket, at theHeadquarters of the game, as they embarked on their first ever Test series inEngland
da dobrowin： Andy Jalil18-May-2000It was a momentous day for Zimbabwe, the minnows of Test cricket, at theHeadquarters of the game, as they embarked on their first ever Test series inEngland.This historical tour has been a long while coming; eight years and 41 Testsafter Zimbabwe were elevated to Test status. It will be remembered thatEngland had opposed their entry to the highest level of cricket until 1992.In view of that, it is of some significance to note that the relative newentrants to the international scene have maintained a parity in the resultsof their previous encounters with England at both levels of cricket.Indeed, at one stage, the sequence of victories, in the shorter version ofthe game, stood at 6-2 in favour of Zimbabwe. This was not merely aflattering margin, but in fact, arose from the dedication and hard work that Zimbabwe had put into their game. They would, no doubt, wish to forge ahead in the outcome of Tests as well.Despite the distraction of the current situation at home and the unwelcomingweather conditions that the tourists have had to endure from the start ofthis tour, the players have remained focused to the task in their endeavourto reverse the result of their 2-0 defeat last month in the Caribbean.However, on the evidence of their performance on the opening day of thisinaugural Test, it appears that it would be quite a toil for them to get thebetter of England, a side which occupies only one position above them at thebottom of the table in the unofficial world Test rankings. They certainly did not rise to the occasion; the first day of the Lord’s Test match has always been regarded as something special.To have lost three wickets in the first six overs before the total had evenreached double figures would indicate, perhaps, a loss of nerves. But it hasto be said their batting has had a look of deficiency, judging from their previous couple of Test series. It has been a major problem through adispiriting recent past.Just how brittle the batting has been was further exemplified in their failing to chase a meagre 93 to win a Test against West Indies only six weeks ago.Zimbabwe’s wretched performance with the bat today arose from a combination of a lack of application and poor shot selection.England’s pace bowlers, on the other hand, took advantage of the favourableovercast conditions on a pitch which had a bit of grass on it. Zimbabwe neverlooked like being able to make a recovery after Andy Caddick had inflicted the early damage to the innings, removing the first three wickets for 2 in a space of nine balls.His figures, however, were not quite as remarkable as Ed Giddins who, playingin only his second Test match, had a haul of 5 for 15 from seven overs.Zimbabwe, through a most inept batting performance, had made the England bowling appear unplayable.
