Transcript of the Commentary - Zimbabwe Innings

Prem: Last ball, Allott, and Wishart gets under it, a nice clean hit over long on and six for that, Zimbabwe 258/7 at the end of the innings. We will now be off for lunch and back in 35 minutes with the Kiwi reply.

Prem: Outside off, Strang cuts, Harris dives and stops at cover point, great stop denies the run.

Prem: Allott to Wishart, who goes across the stumps to hit to leg, fails to get into position and is forced to defend. 5.05 the run rate now. Three balls left. Allott the bowler, toWishart, who stands in place and smashes to long off, single. 251/7.

Prem: With a plaform of 227/4 in 45, zimbabwe really making a mess of the end overs here, too many batsmen playing too many needlessly wild shots when classic straight hitting wold have served their purpose better. Also, none of the batsmen reallly trying to exploit the gaps on the on side. Strang the new man, paddles one down to short fine leg, single. 250 up for Zim.

Prem: Allott to Streak, on off leavin the bat, Wishart tries to run it down to third man, takes the edge and Parore takes the catch nice and easy, Streak gone for 6 off 4, 249/7 Zim.

Prem: Six balls left in the innings, interesting to see what Wishart and Streak can do. Ball one, Allott, is wide, 249/6 with that extra and still six balls left,

Prem: Doull now to Streak, the off drive fetches one more, Vettori very quickly in from the line at long off, both times,d enying the brace. Last ball of the 49th, Wishart on strike to Doull, and a flat straight hit, bowler gets a finger on it, bang into the stumps at the other end, no run. 248/6 in 49.

Prem: Doull to Wishart, the off drive gets him one more, 247/6.

Prem: Ball three, Streak on drives, gets the single, Zim 246/6 and still 9 balls left in the innings.

Prem: Ball two, Heath Streak the batsman, outside off and onto his knees, smashes it through point, four for it, great shot at this stage.

Prem: 227/4 in 45 to 240/6 in 48, not too good a progression at the death for the batting side, they had the platform to really push for 260 or more. Wishart meanwhile clubs Doull back over his head, mid off is deep, fields, just the single.

Prem: And Campbell goes -- premeditated heave off the back foot, attempting to find the gap over midwicket, Allott kept it up and on off and Campbell hit all over it, bowled off stump, goes for 100 off 143 and Zim 240/6 in 48.

Prem: Wishartthis time running one behind point, gets the single, Zim 240/5 and one ball left in Alott's over, the 48th of the innings.

Prem: Allott to Whsiart, who tries to get too cute, moves too far to off to try and hit to leg and misses altogether, this is what they cant afford, from here on they have to make every ball count. 250+ is going to be hell to make on this track. Meanwhile, Allott gifts them a wide, 239/5 the score.

Prem: Short, on middle, played to midwicket and that is the 3rd century for the Zim skipper in ODIs, off 142 balls, a lovely knock, batting right through the innings and holding the side together.

Prem: Allott now being brought back, three overs left in the innings, Wishart on strike. Ball one, driven through cover, single, gives campbell the strike, one short of the 100.

Prem: That should read 236/5, sorry.

Prem: Wishart, who has opened for Zimbabwe, now on strike, slams a cover drive but a great stop, no run. Last ball of the 47th, Doull, and Wishart clubs him to long off, single, Zim 236/4 in 47.

Prem: Doull, wide of the crease, angling ball three in to campbell, checking the attempted drive on the off, no run. campbell 98 off 140 with seven fours and a six. ball four, flicked off his pads, on the on side, single, takes him to 99 and Zim 235/4 oin 46.4.

Prem: Pitches like this, though, bowlers like Astle and Harris are going to prove the hardest to get away, Sudanshu. Meanwhile, Wishart to the crease, but the batsmen had crossed while that one was in the air, Campbell on strike to Doull. On off, full length, no room to hit, Campbell pushes back down the track.

Astle should be thrashed and harris should be punished!! Sudanshu Prem: Simon Doull comes back into the attack, had an expensive first spell and starts with one way wide of off, must be a bit stiff at this point, not having bowled after his first stint. 234/4 in 46 Zim. Doull again, toEvans, who lifts towards long off, not hitting it hard enough, Vettori running in off the line takes a brilliantly judged catch diving forward. End of Evans.

Prem: Campbell nudges to cover, from line of off, fails to beat the fielder there, no run, ends the 46th over with Zim 231/4.

Prem: Harris to Evans, 5th ball, onto te front foot looking for the big one over midwicket, gets bottom of bat on it, just the one to square leg. Campbell on strike to Harris, last ball of the 46th.

Prem: Correction, that was two runs, and now Evans chipping over midwicekt this time, finds the sweeper, one more. Campell back on strike and three short of his 3rd ODI hundred. Now two short, as he pushes on the on side and scampers the single

Prem: Harris now to Evans who makes room,chips, inside out, over cover and gets one more. 230/4

Prem: Harris, round the wicket and Campbell on drives, one more, moves to 97

Prem: Zim going from 195/3 in 40, t 227/4 in 45, nice easy progression and in a position now to pull out all the stops here.

Prem: That was brilliant, Astle on off and middle, Evans leaves the stumps, makes room, nudges to third man, one more. Good improvisation, and CAmpbell off the 5th ball gets one more. 227/4.

Prem: Next ball, waiting on the abll and playing off the pads, gets one more. Campbell now 95 off 134.

Prem: Astle continues, Evans off drives, single off the first ball brings Campbell on strike, and nicely under the ball and hits it straight as a string, over the bowler's head for six. 224/4.

Prem: Harris rapping Evans on the pad but the ball drifting to leg, well forward, no damage. Next ball, Evans with the inside out drive, one to sweeper cover, 217/4 in 44 Zimbabwe.

Campbell should take the initiative and attack...now is the time...go for it!! Sudanshu Prem: Harris will need his huge experiene here to keep Evans quiet, another little paddle, in the air but well placed, fetches a single, Campbell on drives the next ball, single. 216/4 in 43.4.

Prem: Seven overs left in the innings, Harris back into the attack and a cheeky little paddle by Evans from middle stump fetches two more. 214/4.

Prem: Evans off the mark with a single off the off drive, if he can get his eye in quickly, his big hitting at this point could prove very dangerous to New Zealand. End of the 43rd and Zim 212/4 and doing really well here.

Prem: Andy Flower's done his bit, though, and with the final phase of the innings on hand, the rest of the batsmen should be able to throw their bats around a bit as Campbell anchors. 118 run partnership for the 4th wicket, between Campbell and Flowr, and Craig Evans is the new man in.

Prem: 118 off 164 the partnership and Flower thumps one off the back foot, off Astle, fails to keep it down, hits it straight to short mid off, 77 off 80, caught by Astle and a lovely innings coming to an end against the run of play.

Prem: Prashant, your test message is coming through clear. Meanwhile, AStle to Campbell who on drives, one more, into the 43rd over here.

Prem: 115 of the partnership coming off 165 balls, Flower with a short arm pull gets one more to end the 42nd over at 209/3.

Campbell slowing down the rate, another five overs and he should make way for a fresh pair of legs...till then just hang in there!! Sudanhsu Prem: Allott to Flower who tries to flick and misses.

Prem: Flower getting another one drifting down leg, plays very late and four more, he is really in top mode now, batting 73 off 73. Ball two of the 42nd and short, pulled fiercely by the batsman, two more, Allott the bowler. Zim 205/3.

Prem: Ball three, Flower down the track, gets to the pitch and blazes it through cover, four all the way and Zim now 201/3 in 40.4 with Flower really stepping on it. An apology, this interface is still too new, put the previous post in the wrong frame by mistake. One more to Flower who moves to 69 off 72

The Zimbabwean ability to put it across the opposition is a bit suspect but I agree with Agni that the win against India must have helped! Sudanshu Prem: Drinks on the field meanwhile, giving my fingers a breather here.

Prem: Good comeback from Allott, bowling a tight line, not letting Campbell have room for strokes, ends the 40th over with Zim 195/3.

Prem: Better line on off and middle, Campbell flicks but finds square leg, no run. Ball four, Geoff Allott bowling left arm over, Campbell beaten on the short arm pull, rapped on the pad but ball drifting to leg, no damage. Ball five, Allott to Campbell, faster through the air, forces the defensive push from the Zim skipper.

Prem: 100 of the partnership coming up off 145 balls, a very good rate on a wicket like this and again, Alott unable to hold his line, bowls wide, gifting away too many free runs here.

Flower doing the right thing in showing cautious agression...must take care not to overdo it!! Sudanshu Prem: Change in bowling with Geoff Allott, left arm over, returning to the attack, 11 overs left in the innings. Back foot punch to mid on gets Andy Flower a single off the first ball.

Prem: Singles the order of this particular over, both batsmen rotating the strike nicely here, and Astle finally comes up with a full toss, slower one, pulled to deep midwicket by Flower, single to end the over.

Prem: Astle to continue, bowling round the wicket, 39t over in progress here. In response to Agni, you can ask questions, but may not be able to respond immediately, as you can see, lots more input going in to this mode of commentary.

Prem: Flower now really looking in top touch, batting 58 off 64 and on strike to the last ball of the 38th, played off his pads, a single and Zim 187/3 in 38 with 12 overs left in the innings.

Prem: And now Flower, who has taken over from Campbell, down the track, easily to the pitch of a shorter one and a lovely clean hit, over long off, for a six.

Prem: Very intelligent batting by these two, looking now to gradually pick up the pace again, it is Tait to continue, and he is bowling to Alistair Campbell. Ball one, round the wicekt and angled in, pushed back down the track, no run. Tait on debut bowling with a lot of control, ball two, Campbell tries to cover drive, thin inner edge takes the ball square on the on side, no run. Ball three, a push finds the single to mid off.

I think Zimbabawe is a much more optimistic team after their win over India. Agni Prem: Six bowlers used so far, Astle being the sixth, bowls to Flower who square drives, single.

Prem: Astle to continue, round the wicket to Campbell who gently pushes to mid on, single.

Prem: Flowr, last ball of the 36th, Tait drifting to leg and the batsman flicks off his pads, four down to fine leg and that completes a superb fifty by Flower, picking up the pace after a somewhat slow start.

Prem: Tait again, to Campbell, ball four of the 36th, short and lifting, Campbell pushes to midwicekt, no run. Ball five, gentle push to long on gets the single, Zim 172/3.

Prem: Tait to Campbell, a push to on, but a bit of yes and no stuff, first time I've seen these two unsure in running, denies the single.

Prem: From 135/3 in 30 to 169/3 in 35, a good spell here for Zimbabwe with 15 overs still to play and seven wickets in hand after this pair. Meanwhile, in comes Tait, brought back to replace Vettori, single off the first ball to mid on, takes Zim to 170/3.

Prem: And now he is on his knee, sweeping and four more, Flower now really opening out and looking more dangerous by the minute, seems to be middling just about everything,t akes a lot of pressure off Campbell at the other end.

Prem: Harris continues, the 35th over in progress, and bot Campbell and Flowr remain circumspect, neither of them has done anything really silly, tey are looking to keep the board moving and every now and again, Flower opens out. Here, he is down the track, a beautiful inside out drive over cover, splits the two deep fielders for four more, outstanding shot.

Often batsmen put the devil in th epitches as we saw recently in Zimbabwe. THese pitches are going to play good for those who will apply themselves - that is what it seems to be. -TK. think campbell should stay on and play till the end while the other Zimbabweans should play around him! Sudanshu Prem: Both these batsmen working the singles pretty well, and off the last ball of Vettori's over, Flowr reverse sweeps again, one more. None for 34 in 10 Vettori, a superb spell from him, but he is through now and Zim must be fancying their chances in the end overs.

Prem: Vettori aout to bowl his last over, campbell the man on strike. outside off, Campbell off the back foot, pushes to on and gets the single.27 runs off 9.2 thus far. Next ball, lovely shot, Flower reverse sweeping, getting the middle of the bat on it and four all the way, Flowr looking dangerous in these last few overs, opening out and playing some good shots.

Prem: 33rd over in progress, and Flower onto the front foot, lofts over cover, finds the sweeper, just the one. Zim 150/3 and Campbell on drives, one more, 151/3 in 33 the score.

Prem: Harris to Flower, a gentle paddle behidn square gets two more, intelligent shot that, checking the pace to bring in the sweeper.

Prem: Harris continues, bwoling to Campbell, who is onto the back foot, trying to cut, finds the fielder. all two, overpitched, on drive finds the single to long on.

Prem: Vettori, in his 9th over, still keeping to that very tight line, Campbell down the track but unable to get the bowler away, fielded on the follow through. Ball five, Campbell rocks back, slams it past cover, finds the sweeper though, just the single, 140/3 in 32 Zim.

Prem: Campell late-cutting the last ball of the over, the single that results brings up the 50 run partnership and these two have been together for the last 16-odd overs, which constitutes a nice recovery after being 93/3 in 15. Vettori bein continued, bowling to Campbell.

Prem: Astle continues and Flower sweeps, playing it very late, hitting in the air but splitting the field, four more.

Prem: between 25 and 30, Zim progressing by 14 runs, which is a very slow rate of scoring, but on the plus side, their two best batsmen settling in nicely.

Prem: Vettori recovering, bowling a very good line here, into his 8th over, to Campbell now after Flower takes the single, Zim 135/3 in 30.

Prem: Vettori, overpitches and this time, the batsman, right onto the front foot and pulling, taking it on the full, Flower, slams it through midwicket, gets the four as he splits the field, this is the first boundary in 15 overs.

Prem: Astle to Campbell, the arm ball here deceiving the batsman. next ball, angled in, faster through the air, good variation from the bowler keeps Campbell tentative, no run.

Prem: Vettori thus far has bowled 7 overs for 18 runs, which is a brilliant job by any yardstick. Zimbabwe 128/3 in 28. Astle continues, to Campbell. Gentle bowling, around off, no room for shot making here. Ball three, off the hips to backward square, single. Ball four, Flower sweeps, misses, gets the leg bye.

Prem: Campbell driving, finds the single to long off, very tight bowling here from the left arm spinner, now to Flowr who is down the track but not to the pitch, forced to push defensively. No run.

Prem: 12 overs without a boundary so far, and Vettori continues. Campbell drives, really went for it, AStle at cover gets a hard hit that goes into and out of his hand, that is a dropped catch.

Prem: Campbell for a change sweeps and misses. Next ball, onto the back foot, drives, finds the fielder on the on side, no run.

Prem: Astle to Campbell, round he wicket, drifting to leg, Campbell flicks and misses. Ball not really coming on to the bat now, wicket already perceptibly slower and you can see the odd puff of dust, so batting second is going to be a bit of a hassle, given anything like 240 to chase.

Prem: Change in bowling, Nathan Astle -- another gentle medium pacer -- coming on, to Flower who works the first ball of the over through midwicket, single.

Prem: Vettori to Flower, beats him on the flick, misses, rapped on the pad but the ball missing all three stumps, really, no damage. And now Flower reverse sweeps, trough point, single.

Prem: Vettori tosses one up, Campbell clouts him on the off but superb stop at cover, no run. ball four, off the back foot, played to the on side, single.

Prem: Zimbabwe moving from 107/3 to 121/3 in the last five overs, the run rate being checked in this phase by the Vettori-Harris combo, neither of whom have conceeded a single four. Flower down the track, checking a push to mid off, quick single.

Prem: Flower now on strike, ball five, sweeps, gets his bat really on that one but superb stop by the sweeper, taking it on the run, judging the bad bounce to a nicety. And off the last ball, quick single to Campbell.

Prem: Harris to continue, these two bowlers really checking the flow of runs, Campbell looking to work him through the off, not able to pierce the field. Ball four, on his knee and checking a sweep, single.

Prem: Last ball, campbell on the back foot, gentle cut and single before point can field, to end the over.

Prem: Ball five, single to Flower, on driving.

Prem: Vettori the bowler, Flower on strike, repeatedly trying to work him through the leg side for the single, Kiwi fielders really on their toes here after a somewhat sloppy start, denying the runs. Ball four, quicker through the air, outside off, Flower cuts and misses.

I think pitch is pretty ok. Negatting the fear that it will be favouring bowlers Suwarn Prem: Campbell forward, sweeping, finds backward square, single. Last ball of the 23rd, Harris to Flower who is down the track, finds the ball dropping short, cuts, single.

Prem: Harris to continue, Flower on strike. The bowler doing very well here, keeping a nice line around off, not giving the ball any kind of pace at all, which means that strokeplay becomes very very chancy. Flower not looking to push things along either, conscious apparenlty of the need to play a long innings here. Ball four, a gentle paddle to fine leg fetches the single. Campbell on strike

Prem: Fifth ball, Flower gets the room to on drive, gets the one. Last ball, fuller length, Campbell guiding through the covers, finds the sweeper,t wo more.

Prem: Vettori bowling and bowling very well here, three quarter length and a tight line around off, Flower off the first three balls, unable to get him away. Ball four, Flower off drives but finds short cover, again no run, lovely line from the Zim spinner.

Prem: Harris on a full length, Campbell forward, defending, finds the bowler on the follow through, no run.

Prem: This time, Flower manages to push the ball wide of harris on the on side, gets the single to long on.

Prem: Harris to Flower, on off and middle, the flick finds midwicket, no run.

Prem: Harris to Flower, fuller length, attempt to push to mid on but Harris dives and stops, great fielding.

Prem: Full length, ball one, Flower on drives, gets the single. Five bowlers used by the Kiwis thus far. Harris to Campbell, onto the back foot, punches to mid on, single.

Prem: Harris now comes on from the other end, replacing Tait, Harris had a first spell of 3-0-9-0. Vettori doing a very good job at the other end, Zim peged back from 93/3 in 15 to just 107/3 in 20.

Prem: Vettori forcing the defensive push from Campbell with a flighted one on off. all six of the 20th, outside off,t he cut finds backward point, no run.

Prem: Vettori to Flower, pushed defensively by the batsman. Ball three, some turn here for the bowler, and a fair amount of bounce. Flower defends. Ball four, fuller length, pushed to square leg, Campbell running for his life, makes his ground to beat the throw.

Prem: Vettori continues, his thirdd over, to Campbell, flighted, driven to long off, single.

Prem: Tait to Campbell and again, off te pads behind square, single to end the over

Prem: Tait again to Flower, who steps back and plays off his hips, behind square, single.

Prem: Tht one kicked up from a length, surprised Campbell who takes the top hand off the bat, scampers the single as the ball trickles out on the on side. Ball four, to Flower, good length, played defensively.

Prem: Tait, with two wickets on debut, continues to Campbell, ball one is on off and the abtsman defends. Ball two, on off again, played to midwicket off the front foot, but finds the fielder, no run.

Prem: Vettori finding little turn, but the slowness of the ball making scoring tough for the batsmen. Flower on strike. Last ball of the 18th, flicked off the pads to sweeper midwicket, two there for the batsman.

Prem: Vettori flights one outside off, Campbell drives, well played but straight to the feilder in the deep, just the single. Zim now going at 5.7 Flower tries to push te single to leg but finds the fielder, no run.

Prem: Zimbabwe will need this pair to pla on for a while, as they are running out of quality batting here. Vettori, meanwhile, continues, bowling to Campbell who is down the track but not getting tothe pitch, defends.

Drinks on the field, still. Prem: Tait to Campbell, the off drive, nice and fluent but the fielder is deep there, just the single to end the over. And that is drinks, taking a break here.

Prem: Tait to Flower, ball five, off his toes to the leg side, finds backward square, single.

Prem: Ball three, Flower pushing to mid off, fielder there very quick onto the ball, no run taken. Ball four, Tait to Flower, defensive push to cover, no run.

Prem: Campbell on strike, Tait continuing, 3-0-17-2 his spell so far, not bad on his debut. Over teh wicekt, on middle and off, slower through the air and Campbell defneds. Ball two, straying to leg, Campbellhelps it along and a single results.

Prem: This time, cAmpbell forward, lets the ball come on, works it to leg for a single. End of te 16th over.

Prem: Vettori now to Andy Flower, gently played on the on side, very good single taken here, calling and response lightning fast. Vettori now to Campbell, quicker ball on off and the skipper pushes defensively.

Prem: Campbell will now need to settle down for the long haul, left arm spinner Vettori flighting the ball well here, Campbell very watchful, defensive. Ball three, onto the back foot and played to backward square for a single.

Prem: Change in bowling, off goes Harris and in comes Daniel Vettori. Bowling round the wicket to Campbell.

Prem: That brings Andy Flower to the crease, he was the man in form earlier when Zim took on India in three ODIs at home. Zimbabwe is losing wickets too quickly for its own good, though, at this point, three down inside the first fifteen overs negates the pace of the start Campbell has given them.

Prem: Single off the next ball, and Campbell 51 off 45. Tait to Goodwin, a defensive push, no run. Tait, the debutant, bowling medium pace seam up stuff here and he's got Goodwin, who tries tow hip one away from off stump, ball not quite coming on, plays too early and short midwicekt take sthe catch. Goodwin gone for 6 off 15.

Prem: Fresh over from Tait, and Campbell off the first ball, off the pads, lovely flick through the mid on region, four more and that is a lovely 50 to the Zim skipper.

Prem: Harris, floats one in to Campbell who tries to get over the top, mishits but enough wood to clear mid off, two more to the batsman. Last ball, played off the pads, single to midwicket. Campbell retainin strike and batting very well thus far.

Prem: Harris to Goodwin, drifting to leg, played off the pads, single to deep midwicket. 85/2.

Prem: Harris to Campbell, on off, defensive push. Ball three, Campbell taking it off his pads, wristy flick to leg, gets him a single.

Prem: Zim run rate now 6.3, as Harris continues, Goodwin on drives, gets the single. 83/2.

Prem: Tait to Goodwin, again on the front foot, driving to the line of just outside off, finds mid off, no run, last ball of the 13th over coming up, Goodwin on drives and again, superb stop by short midwicket keeps it to one, to end the over.

Prem: Tai now to Campbell, onto the front foot and driving to mid on, quick single again. Good running between wickets thus far by the Zim batsmen. Campbell on to 42 off 37. Goodwin now down the track to Tait, but fails to really get into striking position, content with a defensive push.

Prem: Tait continues, Goodwin off the back foot drives to the on, brilliant stop by short midwicekt diving forward, keeps it down to one.

Prem: Last ball, Harris to Campbell, watchfully played on off stump, no run, 79/2 in 12 Zim, and Harris choking the run flow to a considerable extent.

Prem: Flighted ball, no other word for it, from Harris, Goodwin defends. Ball five, on middle, off the back foot through midwicket, single to the batsman, 79/2.

Prem: Harris bwoling like he always does, no pace on the ball, very tight line on off, not giving room to strike, for the batsmen. Goodwin tries to push the single to leg, Harris fields on the follow through.

Prem: Harris to continue and Goodwin on strike. 12th over commencing here. Harris, ball one, slower ball, on off, played to point, no run.

Prem: Ball one, Tait to Goodwin, on off and played gently to mid off, no run. Last ball of the 11th, Tait to Goodwin, driven through cover, good fielding cuts it down to a single, 76/2 Zim in 11.

Prem: Murray Goodwin the new man in, into the 5th ball of the 11th over, Tait the bowler, getting clubbed for a six and then striking with a wicket in his first over in international cricket.

Prem: Ball four, yorker length, Johnson swings again, misses completely this time and he's gone, clean bowled, hitting over the ball and missing it completely. 27 off 27 to Johnson, who has done what he was sent out to do.

Prem: It's the heck of a start for Zimbabwe, and right arm fast medium bowler Alex Tait making his debut, being brought on to replace Doull. Gentle medium pace is what he bowls, first up, played to mid off, n run. Johnson on strike. Ball two, Johnson has a huge slog, ball very high in the air, lobbing behind Astle at mid off, Astle running back but misjudging, not able to cling on, lucky break for Johnson who gets two. And the next ball is fuller pitch and a free swing by Johnson, up and over mid off, clean hit and the first six of the tournament, superbly struck.

Prem: Ball four, hit hard off the back foot, single to mid off. Harris now to Jonson, down the leg side, played to short fine leg, qick single taken, bit of a mix up, Johnson responding late to the call but the direct throw misses. Single. Ends the 10th over.

Prem: Ball four, hit hard off the back foot, single to mid off. Harris now to Jonson, down the leg side, played to short fine leg, qick single taken, bit of a mix up, Johnson responding late to the call but the direct throw misses. Single. Ends the 10th over.

Prem: Ball one, from Harris, on off -- correction, it is Campbell on strike -- and played gently forward. Ball two, Campbell attempting to cut off the back foot to a ball on off, mishits into the ground, the slower pace of Harris making that shot rather chancy. No run. Ball three, just outside off, punched off the back foot, finds point, no run.

Prem: Change of bowling, off goes Allott and on comes Chris Harris, for the 10th over, he will bowl to Johnson.

Prem: And next ball, driving hard, on off, two to end the over for Campbell. That was the 9th over of the innings.

Prem: Doull to Campbell, who checks an on drive to a full pitched ball on off, ball lobbing in the air, fielder at short mid on reacting late and letting the ball balloon just over his head, that could prove a costly fielding error.

Prem: Campbell on strike to Simon Doull, 9th over in progress, short outside off, cut hard into the ground, slip gets a hand to it and Parore tidies up on the rebound, no run.

Prem: Doull now to Johnson, on middle and leg, played off the pads to fine leg, single. 64/1 Zimbabwe

Prem: Doull kicks off over number 9 with a bad ball, width and short in length outside off, slammed through point for four, Campbell really on song here and batting like he is in a dream. Ball two, onto the front foot, pushes to cover, well taken single and Zimbabwe 63/1.

Prem: Johnson drives, to Allott bowling round the wicket and pitching off, fielded on the follow through, no run. Last ball of the 8th, Allott, outside off, Johnson swipes and misses, 58/1 in 8 Zimbabwe.

Prem: Allott, over number 8, bowling to Johnson, short and pulled away in style, lovely looking shot with the balance and timing just right, four all the way.

Prem: Allott continues, outside off, Johnson flails at it, off the inner edge, Parore dives and gets a glove to take the pace off, down the leg side, single taken, 53/1.

Prem: Campbell now going at 33 off just 23 balls, a blazing start from the Zim skipper. He does have the tendency to be fluent from ball one, but to give it up just when he looks set for the big one. Single meanwhile to Johnson, and the 7th over ends with Zim on 52/1.

Prem: Bad ball number three, pitched up on off and Campbell onto the front foot, lots of wrist in a shot played up and under, over mid on and one bounce for four. 50/1 Zim, next ball, cut away for a single, Zim now going at 7.65 per over.

Prem: Ball two, good one, angling in, moving away off the seam, has Campbell fishing and lucky to miss the edge.

Prem: Great start here for Zimbabwe, all the more crucial as the wicket should get slower and lower as the game progresses. Doull meanwhile continues, Campbell attempting to come down the track, Doull drags it down short and beats him with the lift. No run.

Prem: Allott to Johnson, on off, fuller length, played to the on side but the fielder there quickly in, no run. Johnson batting 9 off 13 in a score of 46/1. Allott, outside off cutting in, Johnson cuts and misses, Zim 46/1 in 6.

Prem: Ball three of the 6th, on off cutting in a shade, there is some movement in the air here for the quick bowlers, Johnson trying to work to leg, doesn't quite get it. Ball four, bad delivery, short and coming nicely on to the batsman who swivels into a pull, gets it in the gap and four all the way.

Prem: Ball two, bowled round the wicket, wide of the crease and just outside off, three quarter length, cramps the batsman who hits it hard into the ground, no run.

Prem: The only wicket to fall thus far is that of Grant Flower, over his injury and back in the squad. Allott continues, bowling to Johnson, two left handers at the crease now, the bowler bowling with two slips as the close catchers. Ball one, Johnson tries to whip to leg, misses.

Prem: Last ball of the 5th, Doull round the wicket, angles one in and cramps Campbell for room, no run off the push, 42/1 in 5 Zimbabwe and off to a lovely start.

Prem: Johnson back on strike, to Doull, fifth over in progress here, over the wicket for the left hander, who pushes gently on the on side and takes off for the single, 42/1.

Prem: Doull to Johnson, on off, a controlled shot through mid on, on the up, the single brings Campbell back on strike. Ball four, a gentle push by AC to midwicket, good running, one more, 41/1 Zim in 4.4 with Campbell batting 28 off 18.

Prem: Doull continues, over number five and first up, a bad ball, on leg stump and Campbell easily off the pads, up and over midwicket, whipping it over the fielder for four more, belligerent start by the Zim skipper. Doull now going ound the wicket, fuller length, rapped on the pad, leg bye. 37/1.

Prem: Allott, outside off, Campbell cuts and misses. Full toss, next up, campbell looking to hit through off and mises completely. Last ball of the 4th, a gentle nudge to midwicket, quick running, 15 in the over and Zim after 4, 32/1.

Prem: Allott showing signs of stress, drifts to leg, called wide and another free run to the batting side. For now, the pitch seems to be playing on the even side. Ball three, on middle, played off the pads through midwicket, two more.

Prem: Over number four, and Campbell, off the very first ball, taking it from outside off and spearing it through mid on for four. Ball two, outside off, too much width and Campell again in fluent mode, slamming it square on the off and another lovely four. Allott the bowler

Prem: Last ball of the 3rd, cutting in sharply has Campbell rapped on the pad, but high and on line of leg stump. No damage, Zimbabwe 10/1 in 3 overs.

Prem: Zimbabwe sent in the all-rounder, former Natal player Neil Johnson, in at the fall of the first wicket, presumably in a pinch hitting mode.

Prem: The commentary began a bit late because we got the timings mixed up, sorry about that. We are picking up play in the third over, with Zimbabwe batting first, already 10/1 in 2.3 overs.

Prem: Good afternoon all, and welcome to the Wills International Knockout Tournament.

Continued