Sean Ervine for Australia?

[Zainub]

News: Young all-rounder Sean Ervine has set himself a long-term goal of playing cricket for Australia after leaving Zimbabwe to start a new life in Perth. Ervine quit his home country after rebelling with 14 white team-mates as the selectors adopted a policy to discriminate in favour of blacks. Ervine and his girlfriend Melissa Marsh, the daughter of former Australian batsman Geoff Marsh who now coaches Zimbabwe, met immigration agents to discuss citizenship and a permanent move to Perth. He plans to apply for permanent residency status in Australia either by virtue of his cricketing talent or his de facto relationship with Marsh.

I was hoping he could play for England, but obviously I had no idea he was hanging around with Geoff Marsh's daughter!!! I had a real laugh at this!! Does Fletcher have a daughter as well, may be she could set her self up with Vermulen or Blignaut, and than they could play for England!!! But speaking seriously, how do you all rate his chances of making the Australian side given the already stiff competition for places in the team now. I don't think one can doubt his talent though, I've rated him one of the most exciting young all rounders in international cricket today, but there's already so many good players waiting in the wings for the Aussies. It's hard to see at this point how he can make into the team, but he's still very young, so has plenty of time to prove him self at first class level in Australia. I'll be keeping a close eye on how he plays for Western Australia, or Tasmania, who ever he decides to play for.

[BlueyM]

I believe Sean will be playing club cricket in season 2004/05, and subject to residency and other WACA conditions, will be eligible to be selected for WA in the domestic competitions.

He will be welcome, but the circumstances are a bit of a shame.

[Zainub]

I’ve just finished reading about another Zimbabwean player who might play for Australia in the future, Tasmania have signed up Andy Blignaut, the exciting all rounder.

[Nikhil]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

I’ve just finished reading about another Zimbabwean player who might play for Australia in the future, Tasmania have signed up Andy Blignaut, the exciting all rounder.

I feel sorry for these chaps. They certainly are good players, but I don't see them getting any chance of playing international cricket if they remain in Australia. It's so sad for Zim. I hope some good solution comes out.

[BlueyM]

In news just to hand, it has been confirmed that Sean Ervine has been signed for the Western Australian side to play in the domestic competition for season 2004/05.

He will not be eligible for selection in the national side for four years, although, as he is a young man, this may not necessarily preclude him from ever playing International cricket again.

He joins former countryman, Murray Goodwin, in the WA side, and I wish him well in his adopted country.

I agree with Nikhil, it is a sad outcome for Zimbabwe, and while welcoming Sean, Andy, and Murray, I wish the circumstances had been different.

[DanielJamesSimon]

They are very sad circumstances. Maybe things in Zimbabwe will get better one day and they'll all go back? At any rate, I'm sure Ervine and Blignaut will make names for themselves in domestic cricket in Australia. Ervine being very young, he's got at least an outside chance of playing for Australia one day, thought that does seem unlikely with Australian cricket as strong as it is. If they'd all moved to England instead, they'd have walked into the National team Anyway, I hope to see their names a lot in domestic cricket in the future.

[BlueyM]

In more news about Zimbabwean cricketers, the latest rumour is that NSW is very interested in signing up Heath Streak, (currently playing for Warwickshire) for the domestic season 2004/05.

NSW is a bit thin on the ground since the retirement of the Waughs, the forced retirement due to chronic arthritis of Michael Slater, and the move by Michael Bevan to Tasmania.

Again, Heath would be a welcome addition to the Australian domestic competition.

Does anyone know if Heath has left Zimbabwe permanently to live elsewhere?

[DanielJamesSimon]

Hey, now that would be interesting. Though, the four players you mentioned were all batsmen, and Heath Streak is getting on for a fast bowler. But he would be a welcome addition.

[BlueyM]

I take your point, Daniel,but it should be noted that all the players I mentioned are former Australia players, and losing them knocks a big hole in a team.

There is no substitute for experience, and having players who have competed at the top level in international cricket is invaluable to the younger players in a team, both in skills teaching, and equally as important, in mental preparation.

How much more self assured and confident is a young player who has dismissed an international batsman in club cricket, or hit an international bowler for a clean boundary?

NSW has lost a lot of its experienced players for the coming season, and having even one "International" in the side will help to overcome that loss.

Having these Zimbabwean players in the domestic competition will be a benefit for both players and spectators.