Match factsFriday, November 25, 2016 Start time 0930 local (0730 GMT)Big pictureWest Indies are yet to cross the line and win a match in Bulawayo on this tour after their tie against Zimbabwe and one-run defeat to Sri Lanka. That leaves them second on the points table, with seven points, while the hosts are third on four, with their points coming from that tie and the rain-ruined encounter against Sri Lanka. Both teams are chasing that winning feeling, and this match is essentially a semi-final, with the winner guaranteed a spot in Sundays final.The statistics favour West Indies: they have three of the top five wicket-takers and the top two run-scorers in this tri-series in their squad. But both teams recent form has been unpredictable and inconsistent, and West Indies may well be without strike bowler Shannon Gabriel after he limped off with a hamstring niggle during the game against Sri Lanka on Wednesday, making this a difficult match to call.The Zimbabweans floundered in the tournament opener, stooping to an eight-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka, but the green, seaming conditions they encountered in Harare are a world away from the more benign surface they are likely to find on Friday. Zimbabwe will also be able to draw confidence from their last match against West Indies, as well as the comfort of playing at home in front of a supportive crowd.Zimbabwes best hope may be to play on West Indies performance anxiety and build pressure on their lower middle order. Captain Graeme Cremer made no secret of his intention to starve West Indies batsmen of boundaries as a route towards building pressure at the beginning of this series, and if his batsmen are able to cobble together a score, scoreboard pressure in the chase may be Zimbabwes best way to find a route past West Indies.Form guideZimbabwe TLLLL (Last five completed matches, most recent first)West Indies LTWLLIn the spotlightWest Indies Nos. 5 to 8 have scored 224 runs at 22.40 in the series, and both times that they chased they were unable to fully close off the game. Whether they are setting or chasing, the West Indies lower order will have to find a way to build on the platforms handed to them by the top four, and deal with pressure situations in unfamiliar conditions.Its all very well formulating and sticking to a bowling plan, but if Zimbabwes fielding is not up to scratch that could all be for nought. Before their dramatic comeback, Zimbabwe missed multiple chances in their last game against West Indies, and coach Heath Streak pointed out that, as proud as he was of the fight they showed, this was one area to improve upon. The cliché catches win matches should be ringing in Zimbabwes ears.Team newsWhile Tarisai Musakanda might have seemed the romantic choice for a debut earlier in the series, its more likely that Zimbabwe might turn to experience in this situation. Hamilton Masakadza could slot in the openers position in place of Brian Chari, who hasnt been able to take advantage of the Powerplay even when he has looked solid. Masakadza has been somewhat out of sorts recently, but he averages a healthy 34.79 at Queens. There are also questions at the lower end of Zimbabwes batting order, and the choice of whether to play Elton Chigumbura or Malcolm Waller as their finisher will have to be made.Zimbabwe (possible): 1 Chamu Chibhabha, 2 Brian Chari/Hamilton Masakadza, 3 Craig Ervine, 4 Sikandar Raza, 5 Sean Williams, 6 Peter Moor (wk), 7 Elton Chigumbura/Malcolm Waller, 8 Graeme Cremer (capt), 9 Donald Tiripano, 10 Tendai Chisoro, 11 Chris Mpofu.Shannon Gabriel could only bowl five overs during West Indies match against Sri Lanka on Wednesday, and given the fast bowlers susceptibility to injury they might not want to risk aggravating any niggles by playing him again, in which case Miguel Cummins seems the obvious replacement. Sulieman Benn has struggled to make an impact with the ball, and Zimbabwes batsmen might find Devendra Bishoo a more difficult prospect.West Indies (possible): 1 Johnson Charles, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Kraigg Brathwaite, 4 Shai Hope (wk), 5 Jonathan Carter, 6 Rovman Powell, 7 Jason Holder (capt), 8 Carlos Brathwaite, 9 Ashley Nurse, 10 Devendra Bishoo, 11 Miguel Cummins.Pitch and conditionsThe pitch being used for Fridays match is expected to play similarly to Wednesdays encounter. With a little grass on it, albeit dead, it should hold up through the day and offer a little more for the bat than the ball, without being an absolute road. Fridays weather forecast suggests a little more cloud cover than the last two days, as well as the threat of thunderstorms in the area.Stats and triviaEvin Lewis and Shai Hope are the two leading run-scorers in this tri-series, with 193 and 173 runs respectively, and they are the only two batsmen from any of the sides to pass 100.Zimbabwe have chased 300-plus targets twice, with both times coming in the last five years, and both against New Zealand. Just over five years ago, Zimbabwe had chased down 328 at this ground.Craig Ervine is Zimbabwes leading batsman in this series, with 115 runs at 57.50 in three innings.QuotesThe mood in the camp is happy and confident. Were hoping for a good home crowd as well, as the support will definitely help to fire us up.Zimbabwe batsman Sikandar Raza is perhaps the most ebullient member of a squad looking forward to Fridays game.We expect a good competition. They played a very good game against us last time, and we dont expect anything different from them. Their tails will be up, so the situation for us is that we need to buckle down and close off these close games.West Indies captain Jason Holder is clear about the challenge facing his team on Friday. Vapormax Homme Pas Cher . Jeff Green scored 13 points and Kris Humphries 12 for the Celtics, who nearly blew an 18-point, second-half lead. Sullingers 20-20 was the first by a Celtics player since Kevin Garnetts first game in Boston in 2007. Garnett was dealt -- along with Paul Pierce -- to Brooklyn during the off-season. Vapormax Blanche Solde . At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line. http://www.vapormaxsolde.fr/basket-vapormax-homme-grossiste.html . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Faux Vapormax Pas Cher . Tuesdays surgery at Atlantas Piedmont Hospital was performed by Dr. Xavier Duralde and Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Bernot. Vapormax Off White Acheter . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. CANTON, Ohio -- NFL senior executive Joe Browne, who recently retired after 50 years in the league office, will receive the Pro Football Hall of Fames Ralph Hay Pioneer Award during the induction ceremony Aug. 6.The honor is presented periodically to an individual who has made significant and innovative contributions to professional football.Browne was the longest-serving employee in the league office before retiring in March. He began his career as a 17-year-old college intern in 1965 and soon became a key adviser to Commissioner Pete Rozelle. In 1990, Browne became the leagues first vice president under Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, and was promoted five years later to senior vice president.In 2002, Browne was promoted to executive vice president of communications and government affairs.Joe Browne did a remarkable job representing the NFL during his extraordinary 50-year career with the league office, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday. I was fortunate to break in as an NFL intern under Joe. It was a terrific education. Joe was always a fierce protector of the shield, a demanding innovator, and he set the standard for efffective sports PR.dddddddddddd He was a mentor.Browne led the NFLs media relations, public affairs and community relations throughout North America and overseas. He also served as chief liaison for NFL clubs in congressional, military and government agency matters. He has worked the last 49 Super Bowls.Joe Brownes professionalism, trust, and passion for the National Football League over a half-century was critical to shaping the games image and promoting its great growth, Hall of Fame President David Baker said. The NFL has never had a more committed and dedicated employee than Joe, and his immense impact on the league is immeasurable. He is the very definition of the Ralph Hay Pioneer Award.The award is named after the former owner of the Canton Bulldogs whose Hupmobile showroom was the location for the NFLs founding meeting in downtown Canton on Sept. 17, 1920. The most recent recipient was former NFL officiating chief Art McNally in 2012.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '
