[Matches] Rocks-vs-Rhinos & Goats-vs-Eagles

Accelerate, then declare. Taylor better than Ballance in that regard, something he showed against NZ. Only problem is the opposite captain didn't read it even though it was staring him in the face! For that I'm disappointed in Tinashe, so maybe he can use 'it's my first season as captain" excuse with justification. The Rhinos were allowed that freedom. Had the Rocks lined up their frontline bowlers after lunch, then I'm pretty sure the Rhinos would've folded for a small lead, or been forced to bat into tomorrow. A strategic loss, or beaten outright? Looks more like the former, they literally gifted those runs to Taylor! And no one had the wisdom to suggest a bowling change immediately after the first over or two! :shock:

Feel sorry for the Rocks! :cry: Now they have to face Rainsford, and a firing Chinouya who will run in whole day! England have Bresnan, Australia have Siddle, we've got Mike Chinouya! More durable than Shingi, and lately, strikes just as well!

Though it's still young, I think Tino has already had a breakthrough season. By that I mean he's signalled his intent that he's good enough to represent Zim across all formats. He picked up a couple of half-centuries while leading Zim A, and he's followed that up with 2 T20 50s, a List A century and half-century. You read of Trott being unique in the sense that he's just about the only batsman in international cricket who excelled across all formats for their team, Tino's violently argued his case for consideration where we're concerned! Admittedly less than Vusi's accomplishments that 2009/10 season (which included extra matches against teams which the ICC was sadly trying to make appear as good as Zim via the I-Cup), Tino hass racked up plenty of runs before during the 2006/07 season. He went on to fare very well against a strong New Zealand A side which toured in 2010.

My only gripe with him is he originally sold himself to us as a top order odi bully a la Wishart, but later turned up as the reincarnation of Trevor Gripper when Test came calling. At least now he's making overdue efforts to rectify the confusion he created, and proving to be better than two of those players combined...

Eagles: Elton, LTGM, Chinyoka, Jarvis, Nathan

Tuskers: Mpofu, Meth, Ncube, Querl

Rhinos: Rainsford, Chinouya, Muzhange, Madziva

Goats: Shingi, Chatara, Tiripano

Rocks: Panyangara, Vitori Garwe, Mupariwa, Musoko

Forget his name, but there's just one other young former u19 missing. Plying his trade in the English clubs I think. Did turn up briefly last season.

If our batting stocks appear scant, it's the exact opposite where our seamers are concerned. An absolute abundance. One would understand if the selectors argue that it's hard to come up with 3 for the Test/ODI side, but then again we cannot tolerate them when they persist with those least accomplished domestically & repeat failures at the top level, while an abundance of riches wrecks havoc all around Zim!

hhm wrote:My only gripe with him is he originally sold himself to us as a top order odi bully a la Wishart, but later turned up as the reincarnation of Trevor Gripper when Test came calling. At least now he's making overdue efforts to rectify the confusion he created, and proving to be better than two of those players combined...

I think you will have more to gripe about if he tries to be too attacking in Tests ... and fails! Having said that, he really is starting to look a long term prospect as he is currently performing consistently.

while i agree that people are (or, at least, under any sensible selection criteria, should be) fighting for seamer slots to the WI ... it's hard to see anyone but the same faces in a batting lineup that leave me wishing for a new generation ... and quick!! Who is going to stand up and challenge Vusi, Craig, Malcom, Hami ??? (all the hopefuls are quickly becoming forgotten; Kaia, Kasuza - he'll have to build on today - Mutizwa, Chaks. Even some of the 'golden oldies' like Williams, Matsi, Coventry are flailing around the place unconvincingly so far).

i guess the batting line up for WI we can safely predict now - shame!

Think I would have Chatara in the test team to face west indies and also maybe have Kazuza in the touring party for experience

Jemisi wrote:These are not "riches". Most of them will be carted around the park without trouble by international batsmen.

I think we are looking at having 4 bowlers who can 'hold their own' against international bats ... and the competition for a national spot is heating up. 'riches' may be too strong a word but i think we have an attack which teams will not have the option of just 'seeing off' as the next will be as good (whatever good that is) - and that changes the dynamics slightly. These are GOOD signs ... the batting on the other hand ....

Well, i guess this is where to start - facing consdistent balanced attacks will separate the good from the better (and stop bringing in - as foreignfield has been the latest to acknowledge - foreign bats. or at least stop stocking sides with them).

Just a language issue guys. :D The seemingly strong term "riches" was meant to highlight the fact that we're not as desperate as our coaches make it seem. not necessarily that we have literal riches in that department. It's as if Brian &Kyle are the be all and end all as far as opening bowlers are concerned, while Mpofu is the only senior! When those bowlers go through bad patches, it's clear we have options as well as capable replacements, and shouldn't be slow to make changes.

Was reminded of the other young man in the Country Club article Calum Price. Can't the Eagles find a slot for him? With Elton & Jarvis still out, I'm sure one spinner can be dropped in the next game so he can have a run. It was 265/6 in the 77th over when Munyende got his wicket. With the Goats 3 down for 14, I'm pretty sure a proper seamer coming in at first change would've guaranteed them 1st innings lead points, and victory most probably!!!

If you think about it closely most of the sides have, apart from Ind&SL, tend to have more bowlers than batsmen. The neihbours SA have Parnell, Tsotsobe, McLaren, Theron, de lange, Rory Kleinveldt etc; but on the batting front few feel comfortable knowing JP, Faf & Alviro make up part of the top six; and they dare not think what other options are there from FC cricket, otherwise Prince, Neil Mackenzie and Martin van Jaarsveld may have to make themselves available for national duty or else Smith & Co may be forced to overlook the book story and coax Gibbs back in for one last hoorah!

In fact, it's the same when you think of Aus, WI, NZ, Pakistan, and to a lesser extent England - when you exclude Proteas 'rejects'. England are similar to India in that they have plenty batsmen with impressive FC averages, but look like they've never held a bat when thrust on the limelight.

Bangladesh are simply poor in all departments so they're a given, but at this stage I'd have to say spin aside, we're potentially wealthier than Ind&SL, if you think 2014/5!

I agree hhm but thankfully you will never get all three of JP (who this year may be almost back to the confident lad who beat Oz in Oz), Alviro (who actually has proved a solid opening partner to Smith) and Faf all in the top six at the same time! and your back up options (top 6 i mean) of Rudolph, Prince, McKenzie are all at least 'semi'-proven internationally. and that is not to mention a few untested youngsters coming through. My worry is we simply have nothing after the current lot - who still really struggle against quality opposition. Hopefully the fact that they cannot get cheap runs this season will hold them in better stead in future tours...

Something I'll be doing a number of times...

Form guide Test Squad:

1.Tino(c) 2.Chari 3.Hami 4.Williams 5.Chibhabha 6.Maruma 7.Mutumbami(wk) 8.Panyangara 9.Mushangwe 10.Querl 11.Chatara

12.Chakabva(wk) 13.Kasuza 14.Cremer 15.Chinouya

- Chinouya misses out to querl because he hasn't been as productive in the List A matches.

- Sure Cremer hasn't played a game but his List A form warrants his inclusion by default.

- Vusi like Craig are just List A so far, no FC yet, so Maruma's option as a spinner, and Kasuza's all round form gives them the nod. Plus you'll get some overs out of Chibhabha.

- Yes Jemisi, along with Chamu, Chari makes it as well!

- Taylor still needs to do more. Apart from this game, he's been threatening to give the impression he wants to be a T20 mercenary.

- An underdone Williams lacking match fitness playing this well against a good Goats attack means his score can be multiplied by a factor of 1.5.

betterdays it doesn't help if we let guys like Benade drift away! Like Barney Rogers did...

hhm wrote:betterdays it doesn't help if we let guys like Benade drift away! Like Barney Rogers did...

no it doesn't but i think most fans (in fact you may have pointed this out yourself, as foreignfield did too today with Kasuza) can see some way forward ... guys cannot hide in the middle order if they want to be tested for national duty ... and guys cannot be killed at the top if we want to develop them. we have a good chance now for bats to step up against decent bowling and they're not really doing it