Carlisle, Gripper, Wishart return

[Paoli]

Stuart Carlisle, Trevor Gripper and Craig Wishart have returned to Zimbabwe's fold, which will strengthen their batting line up...

This now leaves Neil Ferreira (uncapped), Sean Ervine (5 tests and 42 ODI's), Travis Friend (13 tests and 51 ODI's), Grant Flower (67 tests and 219 ODI's), Raymond Price (18 tests and 26 ODI's), Richard Sims (3 ODI's) and Gary Brent (4 tests, 48 ODI's) to comeback.

Word has it that Sims, Brent and Ferreira will return, but Price, Flower, Friend and Ervine will honour their county contracts

[Zainub]

but Price, Flower, Friend and Ervine will honour their county contracts

And when do their contracts expire?

[Paoli]

I believe Friend and Price have one year deals, Flower a 2 year deal and Ervine is on a one year deal but is happy in Australia with his girlfriend.

[Zainub]

So, in something like a year or two's time Zimbabwe should be back to the strength were they used to be.

[Paoli]

If it were only that simple, Zainub...Once Flower's 2 year deal has finished with Essex, he'll most likely prefer to settle with his brother Andrew in England...Travis Friend, at only 22 years old will weigh things up after his Derbyshire season---There is no doubt he has been assisted by Derby coach, former Zimbabwean Captain Dave Houghton...I'd expect him to return after what I believe will be a patchy season...Ray Price is the big one...Will he or won't he??? His agency are tight lipped, saying him and Richard Sims are "Weighing up their options", but Worcs are adamant he'll be back at New Road come April 1.

As for Sims, Brent and Ferreira, I can't really see them getting pro contracts outside of Zimbabwe, last I heard Brent was playing for Burridge in the Southern England Power League or something....Ferreira I believe is playing club cricket in Zimbabwe and if he's there he may as well make himself availabe, and Richard Sims is playing club cricket in England..

Gary Brent IMO is a workhorse...He's only got ODI's left in him, but at 29, he may as well come back to aid Heath Streak and co..(If the ZCU want him), if not have him as a bowling coach (provided he wants to stay in Zimbabwe). Ferreira is an immensely talented batsman who is unlucky to have never played for Zimbabwe. The best batsmen by far on the domestic circuit to have never represented his country. Ferreira is an elegant player whose average has dropped in recent times, but as Manicaland captain he is still a formidable force. I saw Richard Sims in a match in England, where he made 24 off 25 balls opening the innings. He looked promising. However, the reason why Sims and Brent aren't brilliant at their trade is because they are bits and pieces players. Sims probably wasn't told to concentrate on his batting only at the CFX academy instead of continuing his loopy off-spin, as we see now with the likes of Panyangara, who is wasting his bowling potential by practicing lower order-tailend batting.

Zimbabwe need the right people to point players in the right direction.

[vvvrulz]

I think Price and Ervine are the two biggest names from that list, both have tremendous potential and a lot to offer for Zimbabwean cricket. They will be boosted immensly if they return shortly.

[Paoli]

Yes I agree, one who looks okay (judging only by scorecards I must admit) is his younger brother, Craig...A very competent bat and bowls handy medium pace...

One fellow I've seen and deserves selection is Colin De Grandhomme, earmarked a future test player from 12 by a number of people, Rohan Kanhai and Dave Houghton inclusive......Another player who should get selection is Greg Strydom, who continues to make big scores...Also, a couple of promising young black players in Keith Dabengwa, who took 5/17 and made 65 not out against Bangladesh A for Zimbabwe A recently, wouldn't be surprised to see him get a limited overs call up, and CJ Chibbhabba, who has made a string of good scores for Zimbabwe A lately....

Bryan Strang, the left arm medium pacer, was in a league of his own in those games though....Went for only 2-3.5 per over consistently taking two wickets, someone who will be getting called up soon...At 32, he may have 3-4 years left at the top level---albeit in ODI's