Zimbabwe Tour of South Africa

[vvvrulz]

Ok yeah I jumped to conclusions a little ill admit, but lets face it, Zimbabwe only really threatened in the occasional match, which was usually surrounded by sound thrashings. In saying all this, there were some very talented players before the crisis and I really felt that they were making progress.

I guess I was somewhat annoyed at how they fell apart in the first test, the scorecard just looked so daunting, it brought out a few rash comments and I'll apologise for that.

[Paoli]

Originally Posted by vvvrulz

Ok yeah I jumped to conclusions a little ill admit, but lets face it, Zimbabwe only really threatened in the occasional match, which was usually surrounded by sound thrashings. In saying all this, there were some very talented players before the crisis and I really felt that they were making progress.

I guess I was somewhat annoyed at how they fell apart in the first test, the scorecard just looked so daunting, it brought out a few rash comments and I'll apologise for that.

Thats true vvv...You along with I and everyone who supports cricket mildly should be disappointed. The bowling will sort itself out...We just need Friend and Ervine back to the fold...Get Mupariwa in there and Ray Price as well....Also, we need a few middle order rocks...Ebrahim showed his colours, so can Carlisle, Gripper, Vermuelen and Wishart- I hope.

[Teatime FatCat]

So effectively replace 8 of the current team then?

[Paoli]

Well lets see..The better XI would be

Matsikenyeri
Taylor
Carlisle
Ebrahim
Wishart
Ervine
Taibu
Streak
Blignaut
Mupariwa
Price

Every game Mupariwa has played in he's taken wickets- problem is, Zim give him games in dead rubbers only!!!

[Teatime FatCat]

Isn't Prosper Utseya (please excuse any strangled spellings!) a pretty decent offie? They only seem to play him in one-dayers, yet I read good reports of him, and his figures always seem half decent!

Also, what do you do with Cremer after his mauling. He's obviously got some talent, and can take wickets? Also, am I the only one who is unconvinced by Blignaut? I'm sorry, I haven't seen him play tha often, but the times that I have he's looked out of his depth and hasn't done anything. Surely Ervine could fulfill his role, and aloow for another batter, or maybe a second spinner?

[Paoli]

TTFC, Utseya's ODI economy rate is under 4, or was last time I checked. He isn't a good wicket taker, but ties down an end for say 35 in an ODI off his full 10, which is what Zim need. But as i said his wicket taking ability isn't great and isn't selected for tests. Cremer can take wickets, but his Eco rate is through the roof. Prospect. Blignaut is in there cos of his pace...They hoped to get him and Travis Friend to be able to bowl like Makhaya Ntini or at best Andre Nel...with some pace and genuine ability...whilst Streak is in the mould of Pollock and McGrath.

[Teatime FatCat]

Oooh dear, this is going to sound very negative, but when I saw Friend bowl, I thought he was worse than Blignaut, even the commentators were trying not to laugh about the way he was just banging away at the middle of the pitch!

On a positive note, I suppose if you had Price in the side, you have a couple of batters who can take wickets with part time spin, I think Matsikenyeri can bowl a bit, and also Rogers?

[Notts Exile]

Neither Friend nor Blignaut would make much of an impression in County Cricket. We'll see if I'm right abiout Friend as he's a Derbyshire this summer but I certainly don't rate him. And Blignaut I slagged off earlier in the thread!!

[Andy Mellon]

I'm sorry to put a damper on things here, but in recent posts there seems to have been a bit of an attitude of "Zimbabwe would be good if Price, Friend, Ervine etc. came back to play"

In my opinion, forget about these people until they decide to play for Zimbabwe again. In the meantime, either give the current line up and available players your backing or not. You can only base your team on who is available for selection.

Its similar in New Zealand with Chris Cairns when their test side looks much better with him on paper - but he's not available.

We can hope that the rebels come back (or choose to support their stand against the ZCU) but until they do Zimbabwe will have to make do with - and develop what they've still got.

[Paoli]

Friend I saw at Perth not long ago, about 12 months back. Couldn't agree with you more. Every ball middle of the pitch, at the batsmens hips and he went for 35 off 6 overs...But he has pace.

AM, well I don't back this outfit mate. I would back a rebel outfit...with potential.