Rather than calling it healthy state of affair, i would prefer calling 'Hamilton's axing' as injustice. There is simply no reason for keeping the man with two 150+ scores out. Infact it was this gentleman who announced 'we are going to win the series' unlike Chigumbura who was happy with the underdog tag. Rather than basking in he glory of one win we should look at the bigger picture-why Hamilton (now for the second time) was suspiciously left out of the playing XI???
Hamilton is a good player no doubt but i dont think he will perform better than Chamu if they are to fight it out(only in this series). Chamu has better stats than Hamilton in Bangladesh, plus the guy just scored a good 20+ runs so taking him out wont be fair when there are a few people who didnt bat that well.
Hamilton should only come in for Dabengwa, cz Tiba did well in the tour game & deserves another chance. If someone else misfires we should take them out & give Creamer or Butterworth a chance to prove themselves. We have to reward good performers & build the on the best possible combinations.
Hamilton Masakadza should come in for Elton Chigumbura (who can't bat or bowl these days) and Graeme Cremer should come in for Keith Dabengwa.
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
only changes for me would be DABENGWA out and cremer in , i rate prosper with the bat and believe he can bat a little higher now . the bowling was fine just lacked that extra bowler which we will get in cremer. i would switch the batting around a bit as well .
this would be my starting team
BAT
1.C.Chibabaha
2.B.Taylor
3.T.Taibu (WK)
4.R.Chakabva
5.C.Ervine
6.E.Chigumbura (c)
7.P.Utseya
8.K.Meth
9.G.Cremer
10.R.Price
11.C.Mpofu
the batsman have to rotate the strike a lot more and not go for the big shot if we dont score 3 or 4 singles off a over like they normally do. bring meth in the batting power plays to up the rate and chigumbura . over all i would say keep doing what we are doing but please dont sacrafice ur wickets boys
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 may sound too hard on Utseya but i have facts supporting me...I am trying to be as unbiased as possible.. I am not a Zimbabwean and have no links at all..So,no partialities.
Strategies for Zimbabwe
1. Changes in the Side : Meth goes out,Cremer comes in..Clown goes out and H.Masakadza comes in. Clown has to give way as he cannot bat and bowl. Masakadza will open the batting and Chibhabha bats down the order. Chibabha will have to bowl in place of Meth and i know the outcome. Chibhabha is also likely to get smashed to all parts but he has picked up wickets in the Domestic T20 and that should help. Changing the pace is the key. Cremer should do well in these pitches but i feel a good side cannot have more than 2 spinners..Look at all the other teams and none of them except bangladesh have so many spinners.So, in the long run,cremer and utseya have to fight it out for a place. I respect utseya and the seniority but this is not local cricket...You cannot go out there just to cheap in with odd wickets and just content the batsmen..You have to pick up wickets and utseya is not too good at that despite his immaculate consistency and good economy rate. We can concede 30 more runs and get 2 more wickets. If cremer can get us that,he is the choice.
2. Batting Order : Ervine has to bat at the top of the order. For me,he is more orthodox player than anyone else in the squad and batting at 6 is a shame. He showed he can play spin well and should be given the chance to play a long innings. Chigumbura needs to be more responsible,take the singles and two's vigorously. It is just too easy to milk the spinners for 20 runs in 30 balls with singles and twos and then go big after getting his eye in. I am not too happy with the captaincy choice. I think Ray price is the one who deserves it. He is consistent and a good headed cricketer. Butterworth and Chigumbura will have to fight for that big hitting allrounder slot. Good to see Regis do good..I want this guy to score runs heavily. Taibu seriously needs some push in the back..He is far too inconsistent and good in patches. There is nothing like form in case of taibu...One day he plays it like a beach ball..Next day,he looks so terrible with the bat. Just not acceptable in International cricket...
They need to find a way to combat the slow left arm choke...Rotating the strikes and being aggressive from the start is perhaps the best way...Zim tail is still really weak..The tail can bat but looks really incompetent to me..I don't think few lusty blows in patches by utseya can make him a man to get quick runs in the death overs...Someone needs to be more adapt at this role..And,chigumbura needs to bat low and there needs to be someone supporting him who can hit big.
3. Bowling
Bowling looks fine...Taylor looks intelligent when he bowls and can be a great one to go for when someone is expensive. Utseya needs to start picking wickets..No comments about Ray price - just too awesome..Chris Mpofu - looked really good...Now,the concern is the second seamer and i think chibhabha is go-to man..Senior Masakadza can bowl his gentle mediums as well..So,it should be OK.