[Match Thread] Zimbabwe v New Zealand (1st T20)

Hangon Sloandog, I understand your being upset...but chill a bit...

sloandog wrote:I know it's only T20 chaps....but christ, there's some serious probolems with our side at the moment. It's not just the national side, It's the franchise teams too. Players are missing, (Butterworth, Williams, Lamb, Vermuelan), without any explanation, and guys like Coventry haven't had any match practice, what's all that about...? Seriously it's worrying.

aydee answered this

sloandog wrote:Today's side was a shambles. An absolute shambles! Chagabva should not ben anywhere near the national side, nor should Chigumbura. Neither have shown any real glimpses of national quality over the past 2 years...so why pick them now ?

I'm sure you are aware he's only had two opportunities, ALL of 9 balls to base it on. Look he ain't a Brandon McCullum that's for sure but to wan't him dead for not making runs in the last 6 balls (actually faced 3) is a bit over the top...look I said we could have thrown gloves to Chuck and snuck in Meth, but I think to blame all on Chakabva is a bit sorry to say lazy analysis!

sloandog wrote:If you want to get somebody in, Ewing is your man. He's in form, he's a very athletic fielder and he bowls some little off tweeks. Not as effective as they were but they would have been useful in T20. In my opinion Meth should have been in the team. For god sake he's our star all-rounder! Anyone who classes Chigumbura as an allrounder now is a fool! Yea..a FOOL! He should NOT be in the team, and he certainly should not be defending the ball in the 18th over!

Chill...noone is arguing...or has room to (after you have called them fools in advance 😂 !)

sloandog wrote:Waller and Coventry I'd like to see move up the order. Why we're saving one of the most destructive Zimbabwean batters of the past decade till the last 2 overs is beyond me. It's ludicris, and if the selectors are 'experimenting', then they shouldn't be there. Jarvis and Price opening is a decent combo, didn't come off today but I don't condemn them since they've been the star bowlers of late.

Devil's advocate here : but Coventry and Waller did come in when there was time, and what did they do?

sloandog wrote:I dont care what you guys think, Zimbabwe Cricket is still corrupt, and i think there's a lot, a lot, going on behind the scenes that we don't know about.

I am a strong critic of poor governance, but I think this is rather knee jerk, what is the corruption and goings on? The result is we were hammered, soundly, because we were not good enough period. Take it on the chin and move on. (I am in no ways saying ZC is clean, but just think here we are groping for a scapegoat, and failing badly)

sloandog wrote:I hope the squad improves for the test and ODI's. I want ervine and Lamb back in, and perhaps give Matskinyeri a crack, after all....Chigumbura is playing

Evine, Matsi and Lamb for ODIs? really? when was the last they performed in ODI? At least Matsi we could say based on his FC form 'could at a stretch' be in with some shout and Lamb for the Test in Byo, but ODI?.....personally I'd say Waller and Mutizwa have earned a decent run in both ODI or Test.

You entitled to your opinion, but I think a bit over the top

sloandog wrote:Chagabva: mate he's not of international class. Correct me if I'm wrong but he's played ODI cricket before, and he hasnt shown any resemblance of a national player.

10 ODIs to be exact, and look as long as Taibu is in the team he may not play many. If the argument is: "is he brilliant?", then I'd have to agree he is isn't. Is he terrible, I'd say No. That's MY opinion, just as its your opinion he isn't.

sloandog wrote:And wow wow wow, who's blaming it all on him ? I said he shouldn't be in the team! Not should chigumbura, which i think we all agree on.

My bad, I thought you were doing a post mortem of the game, didnt know it was a long standing grudge...again your opinion, I would say as a cover for Taibu, I'm happy to have him, dont think I'd want Taylor to open, captain, and be star batsam AND keep, never seen Chuck keep, so I reserve my judgement. As for T20, see my support for BRMT when he raised the point but past 20 overs I believe you need a specialist keeper as cover.

sloandog wrote:That's the first I've heard about vermuelan getting injured. Where's the proof that butterworth has been dropped ? There's been no news so how would you know that....

Absence of news is noone but ZC's fault and the journos who are supposed to keep us informed. Not my fight but I dont think anyone actually said Butters was dropped, aydee just said he was not signed or re - signed by the Eagles.

sloandog wrote:And why do you deny it ? Zimbabwe cricket is clearly still corrupt. The selections are mind bobbling, players weren't payed, players come and go without a trace. Yes, it's not as bad as it once was, but open your eyes flower power, there's still corruption.

Note I did say I do not believe ZC is clean, but in this instance I'd like the old of not guilty until proven guilty to apply. My eyes are open, and of late I havent read any corrupt dealings (doesnt mean they aren't there, even I'm not that naive), but we should be able to prove what we say, did any money go missing, did any equipment meant for X end up at Y? please shame the guilty...all I'm saying lets be careful not to use mob psychology "because Sloan says it is therefore it is" cannot be used as proof. Note again I say I am not convinced our set up is squeeky clean, come to think of it many aren't SA has its fair share and India not so long ago (or was that IPL)...never an excuse for having an improper set up (which I oppose vehemently) but let us not resort to because I said so then it is, please open my eyes by tabling the corrupt practices and I will support you to the hilt.

As for the selection I have my own gripes with the selectors, many on this forum, but we must note this is a subjective process and no three people will produce the same team, maybe "largely" but not entirely the same, heck if we were able to do that, we wouldnt have anything to debate about here. Just look at you and me here about just a few players, does that make your selection wrong? No. Does that make mine wrong? I dont think so. We must have faith in Ali and his team (we dont have a choice actually)

sloandog wrote:Lamb would provide a stable head, ervine is our most techniqually correct batter, and having matsi in ? What's up with that ?! Chigumbura is still somehow holding down a place. So theres nothing wrong with what I've said

Lamb: happy to have him in the Test set up on slower pitches, but if it came to him and Creamer, I'd have Creamer before him. ODI and T20, I'm afraid I'd have to disagree, especially that in these formarts we are more likely to have 4+1 split between quicks and the slower bowlers and even in a 3+2 split we are more likely to have Price Creamer and Pro in that order. I doubt we will be going back to the old 2 quicks set up.

Ervine: unfortunately pretty (or lefty) doesnt win games, its runs on the board that does and classy as he is, he hasnt put many on the board. I have said, to eugene countless times I have no issue with the lad, I believe he needs to find his mojo, just not at international level, aside wantaway Williams he is our best lefty, if he comes right I'd gladly have him, but currently he cant justify holding back Waller and Mutizwa.

Chigs: my frustrations are well documented, but I have also said in the absence of a challenger (Chibaba, Meth, Masakadza jrn come to mind) we will have to put up with him, something I have said is we need someone to turn up the heat on him, and if pushed I'd say Meth is closest, but should Chigs come right with his batting which left when he assumed captaincy and is still loking for, then none of the challengers fit the bill.

Having Matsi in was your idea, go back and check, to which I reluctantly agreed to based on his current form...

For the record, I like you Sloan (...not that way..., you are decent bloke and I get your frustration at the lack of progress, doesn't mean I agree with all you say ...ask hhm and eugene...

Saw some highlights of the SA vs Aus 1st T20 and saw some solid T20 play with guys HITTING the ball. The Game against NZ was terrible. Our cleanest strikers of the ball were mistiming and downright missing the ball!

The Zim guys just couldn't pick the slow ball, they were playing with preconceived ideas that HSC is a fast wicket hence the ball will come onto the bat. Yesterday's show was a heart break for a lot of fans, coupled with the failure of taking a single wicket. It looked like McCullum was playing on a different wicket all together.

sloandog wrote:

guys like Coventry haven't had any match practice, what's all that about...? Seriously it's worrying. Today's side was a shambles. An absolute shambles!

Thats a conspiracy man. And why would ZC be doing something like that what message does it send to the players who are putting their all for their franchises. I saw Coventary bat in the Nets getting throw downs from Grant and I got over him. He cant and won't deliver he will always be the guy who could have . I would love to be proved wrong but all the guys who are setting the T20 world alight are GOOD cricketers period.

sloandog wrote: Chagabva should not be anywhere near the national side, nor should Chigumbura. Neither have shown any real glimpses of national quality over the past 2 years...so why pick them now ? … and he certainly should not be defending the ball in the 18th over!…

I saw Chigumbura live in Mutare two weeks ago and I was wondering how he was playing for the national team. I am a fan of E the Equation, but what I was not impressive at all. Our 1st team batsmen SHOULD dominate the franchise system to show the difference in class.

sloandog wrote: It's ludicris, and if the selectors are 'experimenting', then they shouldn't be there.

We can axe the selectors AGAIN like they did after the world cup blaming the two for the disastrous world cup. But so long as AC is the Convenor of selectors (and everything in between at ZC) then we have not tackled the problem. He is the one who came out selecting Coventary based on potential ahead of guys with good stats. This is cricket, you cant just DREAM people into the team and expect them to perform. Thats why we have a first class structure so that those who prove themselves there SHOULD be ready for International. If you can't even prove yourself there how can you make it at the highest level?

sloandog wrote: Zimbabwe Cricket is still corrupt, and i think there's a lot, a lot, going on behind the scenes that we don't know about.

There is definitely a lot going on behind the scenes that we do and don't know about and its get while the getting is good, cos it WILL come to light.

eugene wrote: I agree that T20 isn't really proper cricket. To be honest I put little value in the final result.

I don't agree in the sense that this is international cricket so anyone going out there in Zim colours better put in the work. If the players don't think it is serious or proper they must decline to play the format and concentrate on Test / ODIs. Let those who want to play it. Our players should take whatever opportunity they get to prove that they are GOOD cricketers. If a T20 is all you got then lets see what you are made of. That loss will affect the rest of the series as Zim are already on the back foot. The same guys who opened in the T20 for NZ will open in the other two formats. They take Cricket seriously not the format.

That being said Chigs has looked bad for about 2 years and today showed that nothing has changed.

FlowerPower wrote:but its just a T20 for crying out loud!

And I think our players are going in there with that type of attitude. Unfortunately the only Franchise game I have watched live was the Mounts vs Eagles and that was not a good advertisement for our franchise system, but if thats the attitude they have towards first class then it will show in our "final exam" that we were playing when we should have been studying.

eugene wrote: I think there is a greater conspiracy behind his non-selection

And how does this conspiracy play out I would like to hear it.

Conant wrote: Malcom Waller seems to have a very good strike rate, but what is the point if you can’t keep it

together for three overs at any time.

What is the point unless if he scores 30 runs which none of our batsmenseem to be capable of doing might as well score at a slower rate but get more runs. Coventary's SR of 193 has helped Zim won how many games?

Conant wrote:Chigumbura, who’s totally the most overrated batsman in the country; but his value lies in comnsitemntly getting 30s or 40 at the healthy stake rate he is capable of, against ANY attack. …to

have convinced himself that he is actually better that he is…

E may have been found out by the opposition as well who will not bowl it where he likes it. He needs to reinvent himself and tomorrow would be a nice start. I am starting to think that I overrated him. But I think its cos we had noone else doing what he does.

Conant wrote: Tatenda Taibu, … Consistently and incredibly he has always seemed to outperform those in the team much more talented than him.

[/quote]

Tibba is the personification of determination. Even the ground lacked a certain spark cos he was not there advising the players and chirping away.

eugene wrote:Bayhaus, I was hoping you could come with the Craig Ervine conspiracy, I am still working on one. You are the conspiracy theorist on ZCF afterall!

I have theory of why he WAS in the team which will be the reason why he makes it back into the team again...

eugene wrote:I stand by my comments that the final result means little to me in T20 cricket. What does matter though is how the team plays and if the batsmen play a few decent shots and the bowlers pick up a few wickets.

That I totally agree with. I am of the mind that whenever our players walk onto the green, they should play well and show their class. And then for me the result of T20 wouldnt be of concern to me. Cos I was thinking if we cant get ANY wickets in T20 which is supposedly slapdash and prone to mistakes for the batsmen, what more when they have a day to bat with no pressure to play shots?

My Craig Ervine consiracy .

Alister Campbell believes Craig will transform into a Sean Ervine one day . :D