A chicken runs after a run drought
Plays of the Day from the first day of the second Test in Harare
Firdose Moonda in Harare
10-Sep-2013
A security guard chases after the chicken • Associated Press
The squeeze
Vusi Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza dealt with being beaten, being hit on pads and being able to leave only a few deliveries for 24 balls before finally getting Zimbabwe off the mark. Masakadza's edge to point brought up the first run at the start of the fifth over, but the pair would have to wait another 25 deliveries before they were able to score again.
Vusi Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza dealt with being beaten, being hit on pads and being able to leave only a few deliveries for 24 balls before finally getting Zimbabwe off the mark. Masakadza's edge to point brought up the first run at the start of the fifth over, but the pair would have to wait another 25 deliveries before they were able to score again.
The release
After a nervy first hour, Zimbabwe eventually got some relief when Younis Khan was brought on at first change. They were cautious against him at first but when he offered a full and wide ball in his second over, Masakadza was finally able to assert himself. He drove the ball past extra cover to show Zimbabwe's first sign of intent.
After a nervy first hour, Zimbabwe eventually got some relief when Younis Khan was brought on at first change. They were cautious against him at first but when he offered a full and wide ball in his second over, Masakadza was finally able to assert himself. He drove the ball past extra cover to show Zimbabwe's first sign of intent.
The intent
Despite the odd glimpse of positive play, the going remained heavy for Zimbabwe for the first half of the day and Taylor came to embody that. He scored just eight runs off the first 60 balls he faced and, with one of them being a four, had just five scoring shots. He played as though he was standing on eggshells and only looked himself after 70 deliveries. Saeed Ajmal flighted one, Taylor took a big stride forward and cleared mid-on. He found batting easier after that.
Despite the odd glimpse of positive play, the going remained heavy for Zimbabwe for the first half of the day and Taylor came to embody that. He scored just eight runs off the first 60 balls he faced and, with one of them being a four, had just five scoring shots. He played as though he was standing on eggshells and only looked himself after 70 deliveries. Saeed Ajmal flighted one, Taylor took a big stride forward and cleared mid-on. He found batting easier after that.
The unusual guest
It was not a former cricketer who made a surprise appearance at the ground this time but it could have been the property of one. Shortly after Masakadza was dismissed, a chicken was spotted clucking along the boundary. Having notched up 75 runs, there were no jokes on Masakadza about ducks, but there were many wondering if Eddo Brandes, the former Zimbabwe player who is also a chicken farmer, had anything to do with the visitor.
It was not a former cricketer who made a surprise appearance at the ground this time but it could have been the property of one. Shortly after Masakadza was dismissed, a chicken was spotted clucking along the boundary. Having notched up 75 runs, there were no jokes on Masakadza about ducks, but there were many wondering if Eddo Brandes, the former Zimbabwe player who is also a chicken farmer, had anything to do with the visitor.
Tumble of the day
Prosper Utseya tried to escape a Junaid Khan bouncer but ended up ducking into it and was hit on the badge of his helmet. The delivery was quick and the impact so great that Utseya ended up falling over on the pitch as he tried to lean away. Luckily for him, he did not land on his stumps and soon had the entire Pakistan team attending to him. Adnan Akmal studied the helmet to ensure there was no serious damage. Utseya, however, was not convinced and called for a new one.
Prosper Utseya tried to escape a Junaid Khan bouncer but ended up ducking into it and was hit on the badge of his helmet. The delivery was quick and the impact so great that Utseya ended up falling over on the pitch as he tried to lean away. Luckily for him, he did not land on his stumps and soon had the entire Pakistan team attending to him. Adnan Akmal studied the helmet to ensure there was no serious damage. Utseya, however, was not convinced and called for a new one.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent