ZIMFAN wrote:A very good win by a second string Zim, I wonder is it indicative of how far Zim have developed in terms of strength and depth or how far Kenya have slipped.
As an overseas observer, I offer my humble opinion. Yes, there is a big case for Kenya's slipping. But Zimbabweans should be pleased with your own development. In this Intercontinental Cup, Taibu cleaned up the Afgans but he is a known world class performer. It has been interesting to me that the last couple of years Sibanda gets picked internationally but didn't play domestically. Yet he has been honing his skills in Australia & returning home he is producing on the domestic front. Kasteni is the same without the success in the IC cup so far.
In Zimbabwe's past there always seemd to be an opportunity for 'A" teams or second string rep teams to develop (eg in the SA UCB competition) . This had been taken away from these current players & it may take time to reap the benefits. I am sure this has affected more senior players in their development such as Mpofu, Chibhabha, Rainsford,Garwe, Mupariwa & others. These players (who started before 2005/6) continually seem to be in & out of major teams. They played one domestic competition a season (4-6 weeks) & then one or two international commitments usually out of season. If they don't perform- bang they're out. These are players who are not world beaters but with the correct development help form the basis of your top strength team around true world class performers like H.Masakadza, Taibu, Chigumbura, Sean Williams.
I use New Zealand in the 1980's as an example. Hadlee & Crowe were champions but well developed tradesman like players Cairns, Chatfield, Wright, Edgar, Bracewell, I.Smith etc formed a well balanced team who beat all major teams at some stage.
Also, Greg Chappell believed the reason Graeme Hick only averaged 33 in test cricket is because he chose England to play for & missed critical international development between the ages of 21-25 whilst qualifying for England. We can only wonder how the ICC would have treated Zimbabwe in 1986 if Hick chose to stay & players such as Traicos, Houghton, Pycroft, Brandes & Rawson were young enough with the Flowers & the Strangs developing.
But while players like Maruma, Nyumbu, S. Masakadza, Chakabva, Kamungozi, Mutizwa, Kasteni etc are given constant exposure to 'A' or IC level & are seen to be at least competitive, then all augers well for the playing pool of Zimbabwe.
Good luck & thanks for the forum to be able to contribute.