I personally never really spoke about Mpofu for me cos he was a given and everyone else was going to back him up. But my opinion was based on current form there was a time when I felt Mpofu was just too soft. But that dude has worked hard and deserves that jersey and he is practically running away with it. Good on him!
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 was willing to ditch Mpofu after Smith and Amla roasted him in SA in the 2009/10 season but having since proven me wrong I've been a fervent supporter of his (not dissimilar to Utseya towards the end of his captaincy). He deserves credit because the expectations of ZCF have always run too far ahead. Not everyone is a precocious talent. The Tuskers' upswing in the Logan Cup fortunes is directly linked to Mpofu and Meth's improvements (and their back ups). Conversely, Mpofu's improvement is a direct result of a professional set up (same with Taylor and everyone else for that matter). However, Mpofu's rate of improvement is probably down to his work ethic, commitment and willingness to learn. Those who failed to step up have been and will continue to be swept aside, as it should be. So the standards will improve with time and the younger ones will in future need to reach a higher standard before being selected for international cricket and if they can't keep up with Mpofu then they shouldn't be selected ahead of him. I'd like to see him quicker and slightly heavier, though. ;)
Mpofu does look like he would be blown away by a strong wind. I hope he doesn't ever have to bowl into the wind at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
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