NEU » NHill wasnt the only Hokie to miss last s

On a day that Zimbabwe should have been unpacking the problems that caused them to crash to 72 for 8, it seemed almost unfair for them to present the two men who got them to 164 at the post-play press conference. But Donald Tiripano and Prince Masvaure were put before the media and had barely taken their seats when interim head coach Makhaya Ntini boomed into and out of the room, asking the scribes not be too harsh, on them. How would we be?If not for their efforts, Zimbabwe could have been bowled out for under 100, for just the ninth time in their Test history; they could have been dismissed for the lowest first innings score at Bulawayo; they could have been in a much, much worse position and the pair knew it.When we lost eight wickets, we needed to stay positive. We said to each other, if its there to score, we take them on and if we are to get out, lets make sure we dont get out to a short ball, the debutant Masvaure said.Three of his team-mates had already done exactly that, falling into a trap created by left-armer Neil Wagner, who combined aggression with an unusual strategy on the usually docile Queens surface. The bouncer is most often wasted in Bulawayo but Wagner decided to use it in the absence of sustained swing. We knew we had to try and add a surprise factor, something a bit different because there wasnt much movement, Wagner said. Tactically the short ball is one of my strengths so I was trying to get players off the front foot, create some doubt in their footwork and maybe get wickets that way.Zimbabwes line-up was probably filled with doubt even before Wagners first delivery. Their lack of experience and lack of game time means they are not well-versed in the art of building an innings, something Tiripano singled out. Its all about the mindset. When you are playing Test cricket you have to be prepared to bat for a long time or bowl for a long time, to repeat the same thing over and over again. Its all about patience, about gutsing it out there, he said. The guys didnt apply themselves as much as they should have. Its something they need to work on.But how?Zimbabwe simply do not play enough cricket at any level and in any format to work on skills. Even the most capped member of their XI today - Hamilton Masakadza who is playing in his 30th Test - has not played a first-class in seven months. In 2015, Masakadza played just five first-class matches. This year alone, Wagner has played more than double that: 11.The domestic structure in Zimbabwe, comprised of four franchises who each play each other twice in a season - does not allow for greater game time which only underlines the importance of organising other fixtures and then using them to develop Test cricketers. Fixtures like their unofficial Tests against South Africa A are an example.However, instead of fielding a side that included all the Test players, Zimbabwe chose to give some of their fringe candidates an opportunity, which would be worthwhile if they had a surplus of fixtures. But, with the knowledge they have not played a Test in 20 months, they could not afford that and should have given the likes of Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha and Sikandar Raza time in the middle.They need look no further than Masvaure to understand why. After an undefeated 88 and an authoritative 146 in those matches, Masvaure showed awareness of the game situation was assured at the crease. Zimbabwe could have considered batting him higher up or using him to open, as he did in the A game, although Masvaure was not expecting such a promotion. I thought I would bat in the lower order because we have a lot of experienced guys in the top order, he said. Perhaps Zimbabwe will change their minds about that in the next match.For now, they have a mountain to climb in this one which will start with damage limitation in New Zealands first innings. If Zimbabwe want to take inspiration from Sri Lanka, who clawed their way back from being shot out for 117 in Pallekele to put themselves close to a winning position at the end of the third day, they have to bowl New Zealand out fairly cheaply.The evidence of the first ten overs does not suggest Zimbabwe will, unless they take Tiripanos advice. We have to be more patient and be exact in our plans, because we are bowling to a good side. The wicket was beginning to turn so I think the spinners will play a bigger part. Weve got to be on the mark and create a lot of pressure, he said.Currently, Zimbabwe are the side under pressure but at least two of their XI, Tiripano and Masvaure, have showed they can deal with it. The press, and the people, one of whom left the stadium predicting that, the match will be over by Saturday tea time because we are useless, wont be too harsh on those two but unless the rest can follow suit, criticism is sure to flow.Wholesale Clippers Jerseys .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. Discount Clippers Jerseys . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. Those players were Dallas Stars 2012 first-rounder Radek Faksa, Winnipeg Jets 2013 fourth-rounder Jan Kostalek and Phoenix Coyotes 2012 seventh-rounder Marek Langhamer. http://www.cheapclippersjerseyschina.com/ . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Authentic Clippers Jerseys . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Clippers Jerseys Outlet . Klitschkos management company says the bout will be the Ukrainian fighters 25th world championship fight. The 1.83-meter (6-foot) Leapai defeated the previously unbeaten Denis Boytsov in November to become the WBOs mandatory challenger.BLACKSBURG, Va. -- A year ago, Alabama State beat Virginia Tech in the season opener and maybe cost the Hokies an NCAA Tournament bid.But Virginia Tech took care of business this time.Zach LeDay scored 20 points off the bench to lead the Hokies to an 80-67 win over Maine on Friday.LeDay led a balanced attack for the Hokies (1-0), who had four players in double figures. He hit 8 of 13 from the floor and grabbed 12 rebounds for his 13th career double-double.Ahmed Hill, who missed last season with a knee injury, scored 14 points in his return, while Justin Robinson had 13 and Chris Clarke finished with 12.I think, like any other coach would say after game 1, we did good things, and I think there are distinct ways we can improve, Virginia Tech coach Buzz Williams said. Theres a lot of room for growth, for sure.Wes Myers led Maine (0-1) with 18 points.Despite size and experience advantages, Virginia Tech didnt put away the Black Bears until midway through the second half. The Hokies led by eight with around 17 minutes remaining before going on a 15-2 run that was powered by LeDays six points. Maine got no closer than the final margin.It was a good effort, but we just couldnt sustain it for the full 40 minutes, Maine coach Bob Walsh said. To stand up against them the way we did, I think we can take some good things out of that.The Hokies, taller and stronger at virtually every position, finished with a 44-36 rebounding advantage.BIG PICTUREMainee: The Black Bears, picked to finish last in the America East, could be in for a long season after losing seven players off last seasons team -- five with eligibility remaining.dddddddddddd Seven newcomers joined the program for this season.Virginia Tech: The Hokies expect to be a deeper team with 85 percent of their scoring and rebounding returning. Their depth showed, as head coach Buzz Williams played 10 players -- and eight of them scored.RETURN TO ACTIONHill wasnt the only Hokie to miss last season. Ty Outlaw sat out the entire year with hypertensive cardiomyopathy, or a thickening of the heart muscle that makes it harder to pump blood. Cleared in mid-June, the junior-college transfer saw his first action as a Virginia Tech player and scored one point in 15 minutes.BUILDING BLOCKMyers transferred from Niagara to Maine and sat out last season and will be a key component for a young Black Bears squad. He hit 6 of 13 and grabbed eight rebounds and didnt look intimidated against the Hokies.He is a guy we can count, Walsh said.UP NEXTThe Black Bears will remain in Virginia, traveling to Farmville to face Longwood on Sunday in what will be the second of five straight road games to start the season.The Hokies play the second of three straight home games to open the season next Tuesday when they take on High Point. ' ' '