The Wisden Verdict
by Neil Manthorp
Friday, September 14, 2001

Zimbabwe's renewed batting resilience at the start of the second Test came as no surprise to those close to the team. There had been no need for harsh words from coach Carl Rackemann after the shoddy batting display at Harare, because the players had spoken all the harsh words themselves.

In the four Tests between these nations before today, Zimbabwe's highest opening partnership was a miserable 13. Play may have come to a grinding, torpid halt as the day neared its weather-induced, premature conclusion, but the fact that Alistair Campbell and Dion Ebrahim added 152 for the first wicket is a cause for genuine celebration.

Campbell was on his umpteenth last chance after throwing his wicket away twice at Harare and he batted like any player under threat of expulsion - extremely cautiously. Ebrahim is a more limited player and has quickly been worked out by South Africa's bowlers who gave him almost nothing on his pads and cut out his best supply of runs.

On a pitch as flat and harmless as the run-monster at Harare, Shaun Pollock adopted a strangle field after just an hour's play. He was happy to sacrifice slips in pursuit of frustration, the weapon he believed most likely to lead to wickets. It was exactly what Heath Streak should have done - but never did - on the first day of the first Test when South Africa reached a frightening 414-1.

The impatient Campbell has been frustrated out many times before but with his career hanging in the balance once again, he was determined not to succumb. Inevitably he lost all touch and timing until finally, with five men blockading the covers, he drove too early at a floated offcutter from Lance Klusener and holed out to point. Not pretty, but a smart plan well executed nonetheless.

Ebrahim became tentative and unsure, as often happens when a long-time partner is removed, and in 25 minutes, 152 for 0 became 154 for 2.

Having opted to play a game of stubborn obstinance, Zimbabwe were out-bored and out-thought by Pollock. But when they tried the attacking, positive approach in the first Test, they were simply outplayed. Either way, it seems they can't win. Even for a day.

Neil Manthorp is a leading freelance writer in South Africa and a director of the sports news agency MWP Media Sport.

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