Zimbabwe Tour of South Africa

[Andy Mellon]

Hmm. Not sure TTFC. He has signed a contract with Hampshire for the year ahead - not sure if its a Kolpak or not. If its a Kolpak, it will be very difficult for him to get out of the contract. He isn't someone I've heard mentioned in the dispatches on this issue. Streak was different from the likes of Flower and Price in that he'd signed for Warks under a foreign player agreement, whilst playing in England under a Kolpak agreement basically prevents you from playing international cricket, Streak's contract means that he is still eligible to play for Warks and Zimbo whilst Price and Flower (and I guess Friend and Ervine) can only play for Zimbo if they break their Kolpak contracts - which may be costly.

[jot1]

Streak has really upped the game for Zim. I'm watching it now and it's quite exciting. Zim bowlers are leathal today but their fielding is letting them down. And this after I praised their fielding for the other 2 matches. Someone should really give Gavin Ewing some coaching in the field. Streak is running up and down giving advice and tips to the bowlers! Poor guys going to be exhausted tonight! Zim can still win this!

[jot1]

Kemp just tore all Zim bowling's good work down. Game over but a good one, Zim. No walkover for us this time! I hope the tests are just as good as this last game was.

[Zainub]

What a difference a player makes, as Henry Olonga once wrote for the BCC, "if only Zimbabwe had 11 Heath Streaks"...

On Sean Erivne, is it just me or hadn't he set himself a long-term goal of playing cricket for Australia? Last time I read Ervine and his girlfriend Melissa Marsh, the daughter of former Australian batsman and ex Zimbabwe coach Geoff Marsh were in talks with immigration agents to discuss citizenship and a permanent move to Perth. When did the Hampshire deal come along? I thought he was signed up to be playing for Western Australia...

[jaywalker]

I don't think it's realistic to expect a win from your current team. They're just too young & inexperienced - it was blatantly obvious in the 1st 2 ODI's. The minute Streak came back into the side it was a different ball game. ('Scuse the pun)
However, I think what they can gain is the exposure (obviously) which will equate to experience. They must just hang in & not get demoralised... things will get better for them. (They seem keen enough!) The other issue is: Is Phil Simmons the right coach for them???

[Paoli]

Sorry English teacher...uninterested would be the word...

The Zim batting is appalling..Carlisle must come back...He is playing local cricket and Fat Cat, Ervine is shuffling between playing garbage for WA 2nd XI, and a contract in England (dunno where).

BDW, where do the English people watch the games...I havent seen Zim play since the Champions Trophy!!!

Andy, I believe that Friend is a foreign player...On Derby's website it lists him and DiVenuto as foreign players

[Andy Mellon]

Originally Posted by Paoli69

The Zim batting is appalling..Carlisle must come back...He is playing local cricket and Fat Cat, Ervine is shuffling between playing garbage for WA 2nd XI, and a contract in England (dunno where).

Andy, I believe that Friend is a foreign player...On Derby's website it lists him and DiVenuto as foreign players

Quite agree about the batting for Zimbo - until you get down to Taibu, I don't think a single batsman is ready for international cricket. Taylor looks a decent prospect though; but the others in the line up at the moment look either short of form, short of ability or both.

On Friend, you might be right. Derbyshire have so many non-England players in their squad, its hard to know who's on a Kolpak and who's on a foreign deal. Unlike most of the other players involved in the dispute, I have not heard Friend's opinions on whether he wants to come back to play for Zimbo.

Ervine is playing for Hampshire this year. Along with Greg Lamb, another Harare born player. Katich and Warne are the players on the foreign deals, so Ervine must be on a Kolpak. Along with Jono McLean, Nic Pothas and Kevin Latouf (all Saffers) on Kolpaks. Can't see Ervine coming back for Zimbo. About as likely as Neil Johnson coming back!

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

Along with Jono McLean

Jono said he was going to qualify for England, just like K.P.

http://usa.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2005/FEB/180000_ENG_10FEB2005.html

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Paoli69

BDW, where do the English people watch the games...I havent seen Zim play since the Champions Trophy!!!

You mean the recent televised games? We get all the live home matches from the home series' of Australia, West Indies and South Africa.

[Paoli]

What channel??

Australia only get certain series...most English summers, South African summers and everywhere Australia is...On pay tv of course