I just want to know what you guys think about Chris Mpofu as a player. Do you honestly believe he is going to get better as a bowler in the coming years or is he a below average player who is taking up a spot that could go to a promising young gun eg Chatara?
He's very much a confidence bowler in Mpofu. In the world T20 he didn't perform (nobody did i know), but he's been very good over the past years for Zimbabwe.
What I did notice about Mpofu is that his pace was dramatically down in the competition. He could regularly bowl mid 80's a year ago. I remember against India in 2010 he bowled a delivery at 87Mph. Very much a confidence bowler
I think Mpofu is limited. But I think he still has a part to play and there is still some improvement in him. I don't think he is merely taking up a spot, but I hope that one or two of the next generation do surpass him.
He isn't going to average 30 in Tests. His batting is in the Chris Martin class almost. His fielding is so-so. But he is still capable compared to other options at this stage, an unlike some other passengers does contribute to our better performances.
I think this coning do estic season shgould be a defining one anyone in the zim team who performs below other first class players then they must make way for those players. Too many Holy cows in the team.
I've been working on some bowling stats, akin to the batting post I made. I'll post it soon. Mpofu comes out as pretty economical compared to other seamers.
Mpofu may not be a game-breaker, but he is still one of our better bowlers.
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
I agree with Sloan, he is a confidence bowler and whilst getting a bit more gas would be a boost, I don't see it coming. He has been bowling well, coming up with a few varieties as well as the bounce he gets. 1 thing that I particularly like about him is his ability to clean up the tail. Lots of side struggle to finish of the last 3 - 4 wickets in an innings, Mpofu knows how to bowl to the tail enders.
I think he's a critical piece in our lineup, the other fast bowlers can pretty much be swapped around