Zimbabwe's cricketing feast was a rather turbulent time for the cricketers; at times it was going very well, but at other times, the Zimbabweans truly struggled with the rigours of international cricket. Player by player, I will review their performances over the period of the recent matches:

8

Andy Blignaut: The useful allrounder became Zimbabwe's star during the One Day International Tri-Series, bagging eight wickets and 92 runs. 91 of those runs, however, came in the last two matches, where he blasted quickfire innings' of 50 and 41 respectively to help his team into a competitive situation. Bowled extremely well in the match against New Zealand in Harare, where the former Tasmania player bagged 4-46, including two wickets in a tight finish at the end. His test series against India was also very good with the bat, but not quite as flash with the ball. Nevertheless, Blignaut has shown enough in this series to indicate that he can have a major effect for Zimbabwe.

7

Tatenda Taibu: Was Zimbabwe's only real shining light in the dismal test series against New Zealand, and followed that up with a very good ODI Series. Although the runs dried up in the test series against India, Taibu can hold his head high after leading a sub-average team through a difficult period. The highlight for him would definitely be his 76 against New Zealand in the 2nd Test Match at Bulawayo, and his 71 against India at Harare in an ODI, as well as a half century against India in the 1st Test Match. For Zimbabwe to keep succesful, many see Taibu, Streak and Blignaut as the main men.

Heath Streak: The ex-Captain started to regain his bowling form in the test matches, and Zimbabwe definitely knew the difference on the scoresheet. Took a career best 6-73 against India, to follow up from his 4-73 against New Zealand. When on song, Streak is by far the best bowler in the Zimbabwean team. His batting is another precious commodity, and although not utilised well enough in the tests, it was used well in the ODI's, where he hit 45 against New Zealand coming in late. Streak has a lot to build on from this series in his return to Test Cricket.

6

Blessing Mahwire: The young paceman finally began to show signs of being a top level cricketer, with consistent performances in both of the test series inparticular. His best figures in the respective series were 3-115 against New Zealand, and 4-92 against India. His ODI form also started to pick up as well, when in the last game he was left to spearhead an inexperienced attack, Mahwire collected the vital wickets of Sehwag and Dravid to march on his way to 2-40. After several setbacks, the young paceman looks set to be a vital accesory to Heath Streak. His batting can also not be discounted; he scored 100 runs in the series against New Zealand, including an unbeaten half century.

Charlie Coventry: Young batsman who was a relative unknown until the Videocon ODI Series, where he announced his arrival with a swashbuckling 74 against India in the final game, after consistent performances in the earlier three. Coventry was also the only specialist batsman to register an average of over 30 in the ODI Series. A cricketer who definitely possesses natural talent, Coventry doesn't seem cut out for the longer form of the game. His scores weren't bad; he made scores of 37 and 25 in the series, but his temperament was found to be lacking, as he attempted to bring his ODI skills in to the Test Match game. Coventry is a good prospect nonetheless.

Anthony Ireland: Perhaps can consider himself unlucky not to have been rated a 7, or perhaps even a 7.5. The young medium pace bowler was quite a find for Zimbabwe during the ODI Series, where he took 8 wickets at 28.55 a piece. His economy rate though, which was quite high at over six per over, perhaps cost him a berth in the test matches. Ireland showed the application lacking of all other bowlers except Andy Blignaut in that series, and has shown himself to be next in line for a debut.

Terry Duffin: Finally, it'd seem as if Zimbabwe have found a stabiliser to open the innings. Duffin's 53 at the top of the order on his debut against India not only showed that he was ready for test cricket, but also showed that he knew how to play within his limitations, deciding that performances were more important than extravagant strokeplay. Duffin, ex-student of Plumtree School, has been likened to Mark Richardson, which can only be a good thing for Zimbabwe moving forward.

5

Hamilton Masakadza: An enigma. Masakadza possesses more batting talent than any other batsman who was persevered with, yet took until the final test against India to show it, when he crafted a cavalier innings of 71; his first signs of real form throughout the summer, apart from his 42 against New Zealand. Masakadza is a vital cog in the Zimbabwean engine, and must start making centuries for the side to have success.

Gavin Ewing: A good bowling spell in the Videocon ODI Series showed that Ewing was ready to become the sides major wicket-taking spinner in the shorter form of the game. Ewing took 3-31 against New Zealand. However, his test form was not as good, with his bowling failing to trouble any Indian batsmen. Ewing has had a lot of success as a batting allrounder in the domestic competition, so perhaps a move up the order has to be looked at.

Keith Dabengwa: Showed good signs with both bat and ball in the test matches, taking 3-127 in a prolonged spell against India, following his 2-87 against New Zealand. His late-order pinch hitting also proved a valuable commodity. He is likely to be persevered with as a spinning option, so Zimbabwe can expect steady but not spectacular performances in that department.

4

Brendan Taylor: A real disappointment. Hounded by allegations of disciplinary problem throughout the series, Taylor was practically non-existent apart from his 77 against New Zealand in the 2nd Test Match of the series. Taylor has been seen as one of Zimbabwe's best young batsmen and probably should've capatilised on his chances. A player who has a lot to offer yet, Taylor may still be dropped for the next series that Zimbabwe play.

Waddington Mwayenga: Heavily-criticised bowler who made his test debut against India in the final test. Was by no means spectacular, but bowled much more consistently than he has been known to, and ended with the rewarding figures of 1-79, as well as the scalp of captain Sourav Ganguly.

Players who had little or no effect...

Dion Ebrahim: Experienced campaigner who had an appalling time, scoring 52 runs in eight test innings after a lovely 169 in a tour match against India before the test matches. Ebrahim's near future is not so certain in the team.

Neil Ferreira: Scores of 5 and 16 in the infamous 2-day test in Harare, where New Zealand drubbed Zimbabwe. Ferreira was given an unfair deal by selectors and his career seems to have halted with contract disputes.

Craig Wishart: Possesses sublime talent, but that didn't show. He made 35 runs in four innings against New Zealand, and was part of Ferreira's contract dispute that ended his career. Wishart announced his retirement, citing that he was "tired of all the fighting".

Stuart Carlisle: Had an excuse in that it was his first competitive cricket for a while, but again, failed to shine during times of need. Involved in the Ferreira/Wishart contractual dispute, leaving Carlisle's career at the crossroads.

Graeme Cremer: Cremer is a young legbreak bowler who played the first two tests in the summer, taking one wicket at an average of 224. Showed his potential in South Africa and Bangladesh earlier this year, but seemed a different bowler this summer. Possibly needs to spend time with Terry Jenner in South Australia to improve his bowling.

Prosper Utseya: Although keeping an end tight in the ODI Series, Utseya only took one wicket at an average of 166 and wasn't required for the test matches.

Sean Williams: Used as a "Supersub" during the final ODI, having little match time.