ZC names 27-man squad for India visit

Based on the fact that this is LOs and that we probably wont get much practice before India (in whatever form) arrive how about we have the squad fight for places (and in the process get game time).

Ive split the team into specialist positons. Have two captains (say Vusi and Taylor for argument's sake) pick for each position alternately to make two teams as follows:

Batsmen:

Openers(1/2): Hamilton Masakadza, Vusi Sibanda, Raza Butt, Tino Mawoyo

Top/Middle order (3/4/5): Brendan Taylor, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Sean Williams, Malcolm Waller. The remaining all rounders can make up numbers for the team that is short in this department.

Keeper (6): Regis Chakabva, Rich Mutumbami,

Allrounder (7): Elton Chigumbura , Tymicen Maruma, and Chamu Chibhabha.

Bowlers:

Pace Strike: Shingi Masakadza, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Tinashe Panyangara.

Pace Contain: Chris Mpofu, Edward Rainsford,

Pace variety: Brian Vitori (left arm skiddy), Keegan Meth (swing)

Leggie (wrist spin): Graeme Cremer, Tino Mutombodzi, Natsai Mushangwe.

Spinner: Prosper Utseya, Raymond Price.

Other bowler: Mike Chinouya, sorry don't know enough of him to slot him into a category

The teams could be picked on a weekly basis, so as to allow different combinations and to allow batters to face different bowlers and vice versa. We could have say 4 different series of an ODI on Saturday and a T20 Sunday afternoon around the Franchise venues. So we could for example have:

1.Hami 2.Mawoyo 3. Taylor (c) 4.Matsikenyeri 5.Maruma 6. Regis(wkt) 7. Elton 8.Shingi 9. Meth 10.Price 11. Rainsford vs 1. Vusi 2. Raza 3. Williams 4.Waller 5. ?? 6. Mutumbami(wkt) 7. Chibhabha 8. Utseya 9. Jarvis 10. Vitori 11.Mpofu

At the end we could have 4-6 games to base our selection on.

jaybro wrote:Great idea FP but I did notice u were one batsman short plus I believe chamu is playing club cricket in England, should be able to find some young batsman to fill the void which would in turn giv them some great experience players like kazusa k sarumba or even jongwe .... Some people will argue the players won't be as competitive because its practice match but I disagree don't tell me Rainsford n Chris Mpofu won't be steaming in trying to regain a spot on the team ..... One player I'm surprised wasn't included in the 27 man Foster Mutizwa anyone know why he wasn't selected ? Surely he is in the top 27 players ?

Had a very quiet domestic season. :(

foreignfield wrote:I hope the coaching staff put as much thought into it as you there, FP.

One minor point: I would put Panyangara into the 'containing pacer' category. Whenever he tries to bowl like a strike bowler he's all over the place, and he lacks the pace. He's been good when he's concentrated on keeping it tight. So don't tell him he's a 'pace strike' bowler.

Good point foreignfield...not exactly sure my placement is the best but sure you agree with the principle...happy to make that adjustment.

Yes tororo...Mutizwa had a horrible season but would have thought his career figures would have earned him some respite.

Looking at the two teams...an argument for a slimer more competitive FC...say of 3 max 4 teams (Harare, Bulawayo, Kwekwe, Mutare). Can only be good.