eugene wrote:A completely black side would have legitimacy if they were the best XI, at the moment that would not be the case. I don't think it would be good for the country to lose its white cricket base as they still have most of the knowledge and resources for the sport. Most of the age group tours are funded by white parents, not by ZC. Zimbabwe is still producing more ultra talented white players than black (some will disagree, I am sure), we are just not seeing many of them as they are driven out of the system well before they make the senior side.
Eugene, we see all of them ... and the truth is most of them can't/won't/don't cut it at the highest level of cricket (though I think a few of them could 'do-an-Ervine' and make a good career playing at a decent standard - but I doubt counties would commit to any - bar Ballance - as their overseas player). There will always be the odd one or two who do [cut it] but this is not simply a matter of 'natural' talent - talent, like everything else, is nurtured (and I am sure you know that does not simply mean 'practice makes perfect' - Hick had a tremendous amount of talent [certainly as much as, though I would say more than, Bell] but it's just a little more than that). Maslow (and Frankl) have theories about all that ... and it's the environment in Zim - not the players - that is really found wanting.
I think we generally put the best team available - the only one we're probably unanimous on is Maruma but it was Grant who first fought his corner (to my knowledge) and he's shown willingness to fill positions others won't. I would feel for him if he was pushed aside for Butt, even if I am sure it would improve the side somewhat! One might argue Cremer but it'd be an argument, not a no-brainer...
As far as player base is concerned ... I read in another post that Maehara has put money on Zim not lasting another 7 years - it's not a foregone but it's a pretty good bet for a betting man! In the meantime, the chances of losing 'your' player base is increasing and investment in 'them' seems very short term