Just 11 ODIs in 7 years, and in those times there have been times where it's felt like he's a semi-permanent (and I say "felt" because 2 or 3 matches isn't exactly a good run!) fixture in the team. It's amazing really given he's played so few games.
I look at his career in 4 stages:
1. Started his international career in 2005-06... scratch that, his professional cricket career - seeing when he played his first ODI he hadn't played a single First Class or List A match. Regularly held down a spot in the team against Kenya and West Indies towards the end of that season - then dropped off the radar for a while.
2. A brief return to international cricket against Bangladesh in 2010.
3. Looked right at home against Bangladesh in Bulawayo in 2011, then he was struck down with the facial injury.
4. Then seemed to be a regular again against NZ home and away before eventually falling out of favour.
I don't necessarily think he was the best selection for the WI tour; regardless of that though he's about to begin the 5th chapter of his unusual-to-date career. Let's hope it's more successful than the previous four. It will be interesting to see how he goes if he plays any Tests... his domestic record suggests he might be a better long-form bowler; we know he can swing the white ball so perhaps he can get the red ball to swing conventionally early and reverse later in the innings.
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Has anyone had an international career as disjointed as Meth
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The key for his selection this time is that he takes Chigs place, not because of injury but form. His role in the team has been defined, all he needs to do is hold onto it. Chigs raised eyebrows in the BPL, no doubt his form will come back and the key then would be how tight Meth's hold on the all-rounder spot is. He's doing ok for the Tuskers, I'd like his FC batting ave to be higher for sure but at some point we had to take a punt on him, given how long Chigs slump was.
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Not sure Meth will get a game, maybe test 2 if we have been wiped in the first.
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Has anyone had an international career as disjointed as Meth?
If we are to think of a number of rebels then yes, possibly! Gavin Ewing comes to mind. he should have played more, but DH had issues with his weight I think. Wonder how they resolved that one during the time they were together at the Tuskers.
Another one who should have played more, but was always treated more like a backup player was Dougie Marillier. Like Malcolm Waller, his bowling was rather underrated. Potentially the best spinner we could have had. I know you mean out of the side, but Dougie may have been part of the XI, but most of the time he was as good as a squad memebr, just like Meth! never allowed to settle in a consistent position, made to bat lower than less capable batsmen, and bowled less than arguably inferior spinners(Viljoen, Grant, Murphy). I'm not surprised AC and Viljoen are buddies. He must have preferred him over Marillier.
A case for Mutizwa as well? Political affiliations and tribal background responsible touted as possible reasons for exclusion. I thought he was crap when he was given a chance last time around, but hey Malcolm wasn't much better, and he's still around! :|
I was excited to see Meth bowl the same balls he displayed during the Domestic T20, but at the end of the day, I think it's fair to conclude that Meth is simply not good enough for international level. At best he can be an Ian Harvey - consistently do enough at domestic level to give the selectors an impression that maybe you've improved and should be given another run. Problem is his batting is non-existent, and Wayne James is probably responsible for suggesting he's an allrounder. One would have to say Meth is fortunate to even have a disjointed career to speak of!
Disclaimer: Vague memory responsible for opinions in this post. Any glaring disparities between reality and comments within are no invitation for ridicule. ;)
If we are to think of a number of rebels then yes, possibly! Gavin Ewing comes to mind. he should have played more, but DH had issues with his weight I think. Wonder how they resolved that one during the time they were together at the Tuskers.
Another one who should have played more, but was always treated more like a backup player was Dougie Marillier. Like Malcolm Waller, his bowling was rather underrated. Potentially the best spinner we could have had. I know you mean out of the side, but Dougie may have been part of the XI, but most of the time he was as good as a squad memebr, just like Meth! never allowed to settle in a consistent position, made to bat lower than less capable batsmen, and bowled less than arguably inferior spinners(Viljoen, Grant, Murphy). I'm not surprised AC and Viljoen are buddies. He must have preferred him over Marillier.
A case for Mutizwa as well? Political affiliations and tribal background responsible touted as possible reasons for exclusion. I thought he was crap when he was given a chance last time around, but hey Malcolm wasn't much better, and he's still around! :|
I was excited to see Meth bowl the same balls he displayed during the Domestic T20, but at the end of the day, I think it's fair to conclude that Meth is simply not good enough for international level. At best he can be an Ian Harvey - consistently do enough at domestic level to give the selectors an impression that maybe you've improved and should be given another run. Problem is his batting is non-existent, and Wayne James is probably responsible for suggesting he's an allrounder. One would have to say Meth is fortunate to even have a disjointed career to speak of!
Disclaimer: Vague memory responsible for opinions in this post. Any glaring disparities between reality and comments within are no invitation for ridicule. ;)
maehara wrote:An objective assessment can only be based on facts. An opinion, meanwhile, will always be coloured by your experiences and biases (good / bad / indifferent), and hence always be subjective.
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Only 1 current player has taken 100 first class wickets at a better average than Keegan Meth. (I bet you can't guess who it is...)
Lies, damn and statistics - fair point. However. As statistics go, that one is pretty damn impressive, right? Oh yeah, he's only 24, and also averages in the mid 20s with the bat... What more can he do in domestic cricket? In my book, he thoroughly deserves the opportunity. To say he looks not up to international standard is more than a bit disingenuous. No Zimbo is 'up to international standard'. Have to make the best of what is available. Meth has made a pretty persuasive case that he is better than most in the country and getting batsmen out. Surely deserves a chance?
Lies, damn and statistics - fair point. However. As statistics go, that one is pretty damn impressive, right? Oh yeah, he's only 24, and also averages in the mid 20s with the bat... What more can he do in domestic cricket? In my book, he thoroughly deserves the opportunity. To say he looks not up to international standard is more than a bit disingenuous. No Zimbo is 'up to international standard'. Have to make the best of what is available. Meth has made a pretty persuasive case that he is better than most in the country and getting batsmen out. Surely deserves a chance?
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aydee wrote:No Zimbo is 'up to international standard'. Have to make the best of what is available. Meth has made a pretty persuasive case that he is better than most in the country and getting batsmen out. Surely deserves a chance?
I suppose. Of the international matches he's played, he's grabbed every chance he's got so far. You can't argue with his figures! 😂 They are screaming for a promotion to Test level!
Personally, I'd like to think Meth's selection, never mind actual Test cap, must rank as one of the worst decisions in ZC history(aside form the forced rebel times)! I'd like to think Makoni is not responsible, so that leaves Butcher, James and AC(the meddling Cricket Committee chairman).
Better selection committees have made such horrendous decisions. Australia in selecting Hastings for the Test recently, like Meth, to reward him for good domestic form. They even gave him the new ball ahead of Watto & Mitch! :?
There are things with a certain inevitability about them, and that is Meth will fare badly if he plays a Test. Shahadat Hossain's record is under threat!
If they were so desperate for a slow semaer with excellent stats, then they should have gone for Mupariwa :!:
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hhm wrote:
aydee wrote:No Zimbo is 'up to international standard'. Have to make the best of what is available. Meth has made a pretty persuasive case that he is better than most in the country and getting batsmen out. Surely deserves a chance?
I suppose. Of the international matches he's played, he's grabbed every chance he's got so far. You can't argue with his figures! 😂 They are screaming for a promotion to Test level!
Personally, I'd like to think Meth's selection, never mind actual Test cap, must rank as one of the worst decisions in ZC history(aside form the forced rebel times)! I'd like to think Makoni is not responsible, so that leaves Butcher, James and AC(the meddling Cricket Committee chairman).
Better selection committees have made such horrendous decisions. Australia in selecting Hastings for the Test recently, like Meth, to reward him for good domestic form. They even gave him the new ball ahead of Watto & Mitch! :?
There are things with a certain inevitability about them, and that is Meth will fare badly if he plays a Test. Shahadat Hossain's record is under threat!
If they were so desperate for a slow semaer with excellent stats, then they should have gone for Mupariwa :!:
Many of those ODIs were played when he was 18/19, and not as good as he is now.
You have, of course, conveniently ignored the first points that I made. To argue that someone who has 120 wickets at 17. Yes, that's 17. Mupariwa's record isn't remotely near as good.
I'm not saying he will single handedly win the tests in the Windies. I'm not even claiming that won't get smashed everywhere. He may. Only time will tell. However, since the inception of franchise cricket, he has been the most successful first class bowler (with the possible exception of Querl). Full stop. As far as recommendations go, that has to be pretty persuasive. Are we to totally ignore domestic performance entirely?
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Good idea on the disclaimer, Hhm.
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