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. 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Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres scored second-half goals to seal a fourth straight victory for Chelsea, which climbed above Arsenal and Manchester City in the standings ahead of their games on Monday and Sunday respectively.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants suddenly have added concern at defensive end. With Jason Pierre-Paul still recovering from back surgery in early June, the Giants practiced Wednesday with fellow defensive end Justin Tuck sidelined by an undisclosed back problem. "Hes got a tight back," coach Tom Coughlin said after practice without being specific. "Theyre just taking the precautions." Coughlin hopes that Tuck will be able to play in New Yorks preseason opener at Pittsburgh on Saturday night, but added his condition needs to improve a little. Bothered by a number of injuries, including a neck problem, Tuck had an off-season in 2012, finishing with four sacks and 55 tackles in 55 games. As the teams defensive captain he took a lot of criticism when the Giants finished next to last in the league in defence. Tuck was not available for comment after practice. Backs are a touchy topic. Jason Pierre-Paul played 16 games last season with a sore back, but never disclosed the seriousness of the injury. He had disk surgery in June and he wasnt sure on Tuesday whether he would be ready to play in New Yorks season opener at Dallas on Sept. 8. Free agent signee Cullen Jenkins, who has been starting at defensive tackle, moved to the outside to take Tucks spot at end. "Hes a tough guy to block no matter where he is," Coughlin said about Jenkins, who played last season with Philadelphia. "Hes very effective, very good. Moves well. Just gives us a nice piece of versatility to be able to play him basically wherever we need." Shaun Rogers took over at defensive tackle for Jenkins. New York has had a couplee of injuries this week that may make some players a question mark this weekend.dddddddddddd Justin Pugh, the offensive tackle who was the Giants first round draft pick, running back Ryan Torain and guard James Brewer have suffered concussions this week and have missed practice. Rookie safety Cooper Taylor was out Wednesday with a hamstring injury. The injury to Brewer has created a chance for guard Brandon Mosley, a fourth-round draft pick a year ago who spent the season on injured reserve with an ankle problem. Brewer had been starting at right guard with veteran Chris Snee on the physically unable to perform list. Snee, who had off-season hip surgery, was activated on Tuesday but he is not ready to play in a game, so Mosley will start. "Hes had some very good practices," Coughlin said. "He occasionally suffers from a lack of experience when something new confronts him. Hes been impressive. Hes a tough kid. Hes battling." The Giants also announced the retirement of safety Deon Grant, who sat out last season. He last played in the Giants Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots in February 2012. "Hes one of our guys. He did a great job when he was here. Mr. Versatility," Coughlin said. "He played linebacker. He played back in the secondary. We had a package basically designed to get him and others on the field at the same time and he responded very, very well. He was a very, very smart player; a guy who could direct traffic back there. The guys really respected him. He had the ability to recognize when things werent championship quality and he would call peoples attention to that." ' ' '