Zimbabwe predictably struggled on the first day of the inaugural Test on Australian soil, at Perth

The Zimbabwe Verdict by John Ward09-Oct-2003Much as most people expected, Zimbabwe were under the whip on the first dayof their inaugural Test match in Australia at Perth. They did not losetheir honour, though, although they particularly struggled in the final hourwhen the Australian batting ran away with things.The Zimbabwe team selection appeared to be primarily defensive, with anextra batsman played, and all 11 have scored centuries in first-classcricket. Perhaps most interesting was the recall of Craig Evans to Testcricket at the age of 33; he has played in two previous Tests, in 1996 and1998, and in the past has been considered a one-day specialist. But he hasscored heavily in first-class domestic cricket over the years, and theselectors, probably realising their error in sending such an inexperiencedteam to England, have recalled him, along with Craig Wishart and TrevorGripper, who were also controversially omitted from that tour.It would be interesting to know what discussion went on in the Zimbabwe campabout what should be done if they won the toss. Heath Streak surprised thecritics by putting Australia in to bat. Yet he had Geoff Marsh, the team coach,and Bruce Reid, his bowling coach, to advise him – and both of them played most of their cricket on this WACA ground. Streak said he expected some early help from the conditions, but this did not materialise to any great extent. Perhaps also there was the more negative consideration of lack of faith in his ownbatting line-up, even though it is theoretically packed with batting. It was puzzling.The Zimbabwe bowlers were presumably looking to swing the ball early on, asthey bowled a full length in the early overs, only for the Australian openersMatthew Hayden and Justin Langer to take heavy toll. The first-change seamer Sean Ervine was the first to find a better length, and he had the luck hedeserved when Langer chopped a ball on to his stumps, and then removed RickyPonting.Ervine has clearly been working on improving his bowling recently; he hasthe potential to be a class allrounder, but has concentrated more onbatting until now. He tends to be injury-prone, though, and Zimbabwe willbe praying he can stay fit and maintain his form. Streak’s bowling wasrather disappointing, not as consistently accurate or probing as usual.The Zimbabweans fielded well almost throughout the day, with Tatenda Taibuwinning particular praise behind the stumps. Their over rate was very poor,though, and they deserve to be fined for going over time. This is one ofthe bad habits they have caught during their years in Test cricket and itneeds to be cured.