Greatest ever Zimbabwean XI

[Milo]

I think this just about sums up the selction issues. Ervine hasn't played much cricket - but given his age I think it is a pretty safe bet to put him in there. I'd like to see him come back at some stage to really cement his place.

Postscript. Just had a look at Peter Rawson, briefly remember him from their early one dayers.

First class record playing for Zimbabwe and Natal.
FIRST-CLASS
(career: 1982/83 - 1993/94)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
Batting & Fielding 72 112 17 1976 95 20.80 0 8 40 0

O R W Ave BBI 5 10 SR Econ
Bowling 2334.1 6144 257 23.90 7-30 13 3 54.4 2.63

LIST A LIMITED OVERS
(career: 1981/82 - 1994/95)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
Batting & Fielding 152 110 41 1524 57* 22.08 0 2 50 0

O M R W Ave BBI 4w 5w SR Econ
Bowling 1347.3 277 4396 179 24.55 5-23 0 1 45.1 3.26

Could be worth a shout instead of the young lad.

[Paoli]

I too have seen Rawson's profile but I strayed a little in naming Ervine on POTENTIAL. More potential than Blignaut or Friend, and was a safe bet to be a leading allrounder in 10 years.

[vvvrulz]

I agree, he was the reason I saw Zimbabwean cricket taking a real stride forward (unfortunately it didnt quite pan out as such)

[imaginarydiva]

Its true that Ervine has contributed a lot to Zimbabwean cricket.But ofcourse I am not gonna say anything about him having more potential than Andy.Its something we might just not agree on.

[Paoli]

You may not agree but Blignaut has to sort out his line and length when bowling. Ervine bowled some stinkers wide of off stump but generally took wickets in every match. He is a much more competent batsmen as well.

[Paoli]

So....with the rebels coming back, does anybody believe that any NEW Zimbabweans could make the Greatest XI of all time. Rogers consistent showing and Taibu's brilliance could lead to something of the sort.

Can Carlisle finish off his career in style and take over Ali Campbell's role?? Can Grant Flower cement his spot at the top of the order?? Can Streaky be the First Zimbabwean to reach 300 wickets in both forms of the game?? Can Price knock off Strang???

All i can say is it'll be interesting


It'll be interesting

[butchering lee]

as it stands - only taibu has a hope.

ervine was for me the most exciting newcomer - when he played in aus. he impressed. blignaut does have accuracy issues but has a good strike rate and hits the ball cleanly (though i´d still go with ervine).

potential is tough to judge though - Brant (not brent), Goodwin, Watambwa, Hick, Huckle were all players who seem(ed) on course for the "alltime" zimbos list. (In particular hick - who would have had every confidence placed in him and i believe would have been like all the others who took up that mantle - houghton, flower, streak and taibu - "alltimers") aaanyway!!

i think G. whittal is a good call - but campbell doesn´t get a look in my list, despite the talent.

[butchering lee]

current players min100 overs in tests:


Bowling O M R W Ave BBI
(streak) 2156 ? 5740 204 28.13 6/87
(mbangwa) 432.4 149 1006 32 31.43 3-23
(blignaut) 467 98 1664 51 32.62 5-73
(huckle) 261.2 48 872 25 34.88 6-109
(watambwa)155 36 490 14 35.00 4-64
(price) 855 ? 2475 69 35.86 6-73
(P Strang) 953 ? 2522 70 36.02 8/109
(hondo) 247 50 774 21 36.85 6-59
(B strang) 905 ? 2203 56 39.33 5-55
(ervine) 95 18 388 9 43.11 4-146
(chigumbura)105 21 348 8 43.50 5-54

[stone bird]

his some potential names to throw in for the future.

jordane nicolle
piet rinke
anthony ireland
ryan bennett

I'm not sure whether rinke and nicolle are still in zimbabwe...Rinke could be an useful allrouner

ray gripper would have to be the best opener zimbabwe have produced.

i'd love to see gavin rennie return to zimbabwean cricket...he was really under-rated and never really had an opportunity to shine.

a while back when i returned to zimbabwe a lot of people were talking about barney rogers potential. he was very consistent in the logan cup a few years ago...hope he lives up to it!

Paoli69 i know you are a fan of ervine, but in his one day career he was just as gulity of bowling absolute rubbish than blignaut. I don't think ervines ability lied in his bowling anyway...Ervine can make a hell of a decent batsmen in test cricket one day (average of 40) if he goes back to zimbabwe...australia are not keen on picking foreigners and australia has a lot of talent

[The Phantom Ram]

Just read the thread from start to finish, enjoyed it immensley. Cheers.