DAY TWO: Cremer still the man and what is the batting tactic as woes persist?

Graeme Cremer has proven that he is still Zimbabwe’s most important bowler as he took four wickets on day 2 in the warm-up match against a South Africa Invitational XI at Paarl.

Heath Streak and Graeme Cremer PIC: @ZimCricketv Twitter

He grabbed middle to lower order wickets as SA XI amassed 287 with Proteas batsman Temba Bavuma the pick of the lot with 70.

Regis Chakabva also had a chance with the gloves and Blessings Muzarabani took two wickets one of them Bavuma.

When Zimbabwe batted, first innings success Hamilton Masakadza was out for a duck with the score on 1. Craig Ervine (20) and Solomon Mire (34)had a good partnership but Brendan Taylor was out for 0 and Sikandar Raza failed get his eye in again under the lights.

They failed again to deal with Lizaad Williams, Michael Cohen and Shaun Von Berg and at stumps were 120-7.

The result of the game is not a big deal because it is meant to work on tactics and plays. But with a first innings return of 196 and now looking down the barrel of the gun at a similarly dodgy total it is a wonder what they will do against the rip of Kagiso Rabada on the Port Elizabeth surface when Zimbabwe start that historic four day test against South Africa on Boxing Day.

Coach Heath Streak says he wants to lose playing a winning brand of cricket but given this SA XI has very few players with franchise experience. essentially semi-professionals, he would want his Chevrons to do better.

The final day of the warm-up match is on Friday with first ball down at 15.30hrs.