Twitter Reactions: Historic series win for Windies, big positives for Zimbabwe

A drawn game is never seen as a positive result in international cricket. Also, it never satisfies either of the two competing sides. But the second Test between Zimbabwe and Windies had contrasting fortunes to tell. The second Test of the two-match series ended in a draw but both sides left the ground with satisfied faces.

For the hosts, it was a hard fought draw as they stuck out to their basics in the second innings after seeing a top order collapse. Meanwhile, for the Windies side, the drawn game did not matter much since they had won the first Test, and hence walked away with the series win. The series win for the visitors was their first away Test series win in 5 years. Also, the drawn match was the first draw for team Zimbabwe in their last 27 Tests.

Talking about the match, the hosts had won the toss and opted to bat first. They managed to post a huge total of 326 on the board riding on a marathon ton from Hamilton Masakadza. Masakadza top scored with 147 as Peter Moor and Sikandar Raza scored fifties in the innings.

In response, the Windies side finished with an even better batting show, owing to the lower order centuries from Shane Dowrich and Jason Holder. The visitor finished with 448 runs on the board in the first innings with a cumulative lead off 122 runs.

Zimbabwe were in a spot of bother having lost 4 wickets for less than 50 runs on the board on the penultimate day in the second innings. However, a fighting show from Peter Moor and Sikandar Raza saw the tough period through. Later, Regis Chakabva and Graeme Cremer also stuck their act on the field to ensure that the match ended in a draw.

Here is how the Twitter reacted to the match:

75+ in each inngs + five wkts in a Test:
A Faulkner v Eng, Joburg, 1910
G Sobers v Eng, Georgetown, 1968
J Kallis v WI, Cape Town, 1999
S RAZA v WI, Bulawayo, 2017 *#ZIMvWI

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) November 2, 2017

Years not to include a player facing 350+ balls in a Test w/o scoring a 100 since 1992:

1997
2016

Sikandar Raza ensured we've one in 2017.

— Hammad Ahmad (@dot07HS) November 2, 2017

Tremendous performance by Zimbabwe. They've made a draw out of a test match they seemed like losing. #ZIMvWI

— Rajiv (@skrajiv) November 2, 2017

What a effect from zim Draw two game's from losing position Zimbabwe#ZIMvWI

— Y A S I R (@Yasirhere) November 2, 2017

That was a good fight by Zimbabwe to save the Test – a fighting draw always augurs well for the future #ZimvWI

— Slipstream Cricket (@SlipstreamCrick) November 2, 2017

Maybe Australian batsmen could learn from Zimbabweans that it's OK to take 143 overs to score just over 300 in an innings. #ZIMvWI #Ashes

— Mick Jeffrey (@MHJeffrey027) November 2, 2017

First draw Test for Zimbabwe after 26 Tests without a draw. #ZIMvWI

— Walkie Talkizal (@Faxal_Aslam) November 2, 2017

Great escape by Zim. First draw for them in 12yrs n first time they avoided loss in 4yrs. This test match is incredible in many ways #ZimvWI

— Dhawal Shah (@DhawalShah10) November 2, 2017

First series win for Jason Holder away from home and Zimbabwe too get first points since returning to Test Cricket #ZIMvWI pic.twitter.com/F8I0T8etxu

— Abhijeet (@TheYorkerBall) November 2, 2017

Most consecutive Tests without a draw:
26 Zim (2005-17) – streak ended today
23 Aus (1999-01)
22 Eng (1884-92)/ Aus (2001-03)
21 Pak (2001-03)/ Ban (2001-04)#ZIMvWI

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) November 2, 2017

Fair play @ZimCricketv that is immense! What a rearguard…anyone that says test cricket is dead can do one. #ZIMvWI #testcricket #rearguard

— David Coates (@Commbox_Coatsie) November 2, 2017

Match draw !
Hats off to u Chakabva & Cremer
Whadda match
one of the best test match #ZIMvWI

— Rafael Nadal (@SportsBoyShawon) November 2, 2017

Sikandar Raza becomes the first player in this millennium to register two 80+ scores and a five-for in a Test.

Prev: Kallis, 1999#ZIMvWI

— Hammad Ahmad (@dot07HS) November 2, 2017

18 Innings Sikandar Raza has 748 and counting runs, can he be the fastest to reach 1000 in less than 21? @ZimbabweAcademy @dean_plessis

— The Oracle (@KTsekwende) November 2, 2017

@ZimCricketv what a fabulous drametic cricketer s. raza 89, 80 in 2 innings and 5 wicket haul sikandar raza ur best cricketer ever for me

— Vickey (@mohitpandey785) November 2, 2017