Zimbabwe go into the final day knowing the result isn’t what is at stake

Zimbabwe go into the final day of the test in a bad posiition.

The top three are already in the shed, with only Brendan Taylor to show for it with runs to talk about. He will of course be disappointed that he has not gotten the century that is a rarity for this side. In recent times, the hundreds have come off absent captain Sean Williams.

Zimbabwe are in what is somewhat a vulnerable position. They have a long tail, although Donald Tiripano has proved he more than hold bat. He stands as the nightwatchmen with debutant Dion Myers.

There are three sessions to bat, 90 overs to create a bulwark against. Of the three batters who come next, it is Regis Chakabva who may be seen to be one who can keep his wicket. And it is clear because every so often, when batting at seven, he has been left stranded. The argument may be there for Zimbabwe to jig the order around and bring him up to number five.

But before that, the two who are out there should fight it out until lunch. Tiripano almost rescued a test match against Afghanistan in Bangladesh this year. Granted, he had an experienced Williams on the other end, but it does show he can dig in.

Also, there is every indication that this is still a good batting patch, even though the ball has been mischievous in some periods. That should mean that common sense batting should frustrate Bangladesh.

Key to that frustration would be to keep the scoreboard ticking. When no runs are being made, concentration is harder to maintain, but forcing frequent tactical changes from the bowlers helps.

It will also mean having to play with a sense of freedom, sticking around and seeing where the game goes. Not thinking about a result often means that one simply sticks to application and nothing else.

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The result does not matter on Sunday. What the fans want to see is a fighting spirit, especially from older heads Timycen Maruma and Roy Kaia who both collected ducks in the first innings. For Maruma, who turned 33 this April, patience is wearing thin in the corridors the of the establishment and in the terraces. He does well in the domestic setup but seems to struggle at international level. If this is seen by many to be his swansong, he will want to get the selectors to wonder if they should give him another go.

The fans want to see a fight from the players, that the desire is there and progress is being made. Prominent journalist Dean Du Plessis tweeted that he had lost joy in watching Zimbabwe play and a significant number will feel the same.

Their fight to is bring that desire back in the fans.