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How long was the last time Gary Ballance started for England...
Is they any possibility for him considering returning to play for Zimbabwe...
Is ZC trying to get him...
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Gary Ballance
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An interesting one is Rawlins. He plays for Sussex and has been there for years, but I’m sure I saw him in the Bermuda team, so I’m not sure how he’s pulled that off, unless he’s registered as an overseas by Sussex, but I doubt it.
Personally I think the rule is bullshit. What happens if a player genuinely wants to return to a country where he has a passport, but can’t represent that country until he does a residency stint?
ICC are essentially imposing a regulation that Mr Kolpak disputed and won, they’re denying a guy a right to work.
Personally I think the rule is bullshit. What happens if a player genuinely wants to return to a country where he has a passport, but can’t represent that country until he does a residency stint?
ICC are essentially imposing a regulation that Mr Kolpak disputed and won, they’re denying a guy a right to work.
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Come to think of it, Burl and Moor were out the country for a while when they were no longer minors, maybe they had to do a residency stint here, which is why we didn’t see them in the national side for a while.
Solly was definitely out of the country for a long time and he just pitched up and played! I’d forgotten about him!!
Maybe it’s if you’ve played for another national side then you have to do the residence, but if you’ve just played club or FC you can just breeze in.
Solly was definitely out of the country for a long time and he just pitched up and played! I’d forgotten about him!!
Maybe it’s if you’ve played for another national side then you have to do the residence, but if you’ve just played club or FC you can just breeze in.
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Googly wrote: ↑Sun Oct 27, 2019 7:56 am
He’s a serious captain as well, had stress at Yorkshire with captaincy and batting but he knows what he’s doing.
If you introduced Ballance, Byrom, Muyeye and Welch into the mix there would be panic from a couple of the incumbents, there would be no room in the Inn 😂
Add BT, Craig, PJ, Ryan, Sean, Raza, Eltie, Murray, and there would be some tough decisions.
Ballance got a bum deal from ECB. He’s a seriously good bat and should have been given another shot.
I would just love to know what Muyeye’s plans are. This guy is an awesome talent.
If I was in charge I’d get those 4 back here regardless of cost, they’d make a big big difference. If Encore was around he’d remind me that BT and KJ haven’t really set it alight, but I’d have to painfully explain that it is a game of incremental improvements. I’m not saying the younger guys are automatic picks, Byrom probably is as an opener, we’d need to see how Welch and Muyeye would go, but I’ve seen enough of them over the years to know they have massive ability. You’ve got to watch these two T off in T20. When they’re running hot in my opinion they would be our best T20 batters, even at their young age. Muyeye really has sublime skills which I know he can take into the more competitive games and Welch has that ability to really change gear, fast hands and hits it a country mile.
Anyway, in another life I guess.
The sad part of this post is that it highlights just how good we can be, but how it will never be due to ego, arrogance, and racial agenda.
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Googly wrote: ↑Sun Oct 27, 2019 6:42 pm
An interesting one is Rawlins. He plays for Sussex and has been there for years, but I’m sure I saw him in the Bermuda team, so I’m not sure how he’s pulled that off, unless he’s registered as an overseas by Sussex, but I doubt it.
Personally I think the rule is bullshit. What happens if a player genuinely wants to return to a country where he has a passport, but can’t represent that country until he does a residency stint?
ICC are essentially imposing a regulation that Mr Kolpak disputed and won, they’re denying a guy a right to work.
In his case is it not simply down to the fact that Bermuda are an associate country?
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Gary is a Zimbabwean and will be able to come back once his period is up.
You have to think that after next season (when he becomes eligible) we will know whether he has a real chance of representing the old dart again or not. He will be 31.
If not, he should most definitely commit to Zimbabwe for the next 2x World Cup campaigns.
Ready made test player, and he might actually be able to get an over seas contract in county still.
We need these medium term solutions after the next cup.
You have to think that after next season (when he becomes eligible) we will know whether he has a real chance of representing the old dart again or not. He will be 31.
If not, he should most definitely commit to Zimbabwe for the next 2x World Cup campaigns.
Ready made test player, and he might actually be able to get an over seas contract in county still.
We need these medium term solutions after the next cup.
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The question is, where does he currently stand in the pecking order? Is he considered a 3rd or 4th choice and on the cusp, or is he an after thought. If it is the latter, there is no reason why it would not be worth trying to go for him. If he is promised regular international cricket and able to play in the UK summer when Zim are not playing. I don't see why ZC cannot agree to something like that. Not like we have a domestic scene that benefits our players.
The only question would be whether he would be considered Kolpak. If he has dual citizenship, shouldn't really be an issue.
The main concern is why would anyone consider playing for Zim when you have a board run by a thug and his henchman, and there are constant dramas and politics, and not to mention the constant racial vibes, especially if you are living in a country that is fairly secure and have a career that provides for your family.
The only question would be whether he would be considered Kolpak. If he has dual citizenship, shouldn't really be an issue.
The main concern is why would anyone consider playing for Zim when you have a board run by a thug and his henchman, and there are constant dramas and politics, and not to mention the constant racial vibes, especially if you are living in a country that is fairly secure and have a career that provides for your family.
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zimbos_05 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 29, 2019 6:06 am
The question is, where does he currently stand in the pecking order? Is he considered a 3rd or 4th choice and on the cusp, or is he an after thought. If it is the latter, there is no reason why it would not be worth trying to go for him. If he is promised regular international cricket and able to play in the UK summer when Zim are not playing. I don't see why ZC cannot agree to something like that. Not like we have a domestic scene that benefits our players.
The only question would be whether he would be considered Kolpak. If he has dual citizenship, shouldn't really be an issue.
The main concern is why would anyone consider playing for Zim when you have a board run by a thug and his henchman, and there are constant dramas and politics, and not to mention the constant racial vibes, especially if you are living in a country that is fairly secure and have a career that provides for your family.
It feels to me that one tactic Mukhu has done smartly is look after the top 10 players in the system.
It’s been a long time since a player has quit in frustration. Yes there was Mire, but didn’t we always have the impression he was just a short term appointee from a comfortable life abroad?
My point is, I have no doubt that Ballance would be a star appointee and treated as close to royalty in zim colours.
Match payments have lapsed, but in reality it’s the second tier that gets f***ed over. They somewhat cop that on the chin as they are probably told that in a functioning, or in any other test nations, setup, they would be no where near first class cricket. And truth be told that’s right.
But there’s a small sliver of players who aren’t quite up to breaking in our top 11 but are better than the usual plod in Logan Cup, that get f***ed over. The guys that could be good but are held back and forced to leave or stagnate.
Jongwe, Mamba, Maybe Musakanda and Mutambami.
That type of player. I might be slightly off with my examples, but you know what I mean.
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If we throw the book at these players;
Adam Rouse
Blessing Muzarabani
Byrom
Welch
Butchart jr
Higgins
Curran (s**t one)
Ballance
Muyeye
Evans (if Googly is correct, I have no idea about this guy)
We could realistically get more than half of them back.
Money talks.
World cups talk.
Travelling internationally against international teams talk.
Spending Christmas with the family over a BBQ talks
And again, money talks.
Pick any of those 4 from that list and wallah, we have genuine depth in the batting at least.
Adam Rouse
Blessing Muzarabani
Byrom
Welch
Butchart jr
Higgins
Curran (s**t one)
Ballance
Muyeye
Evans (if Googly is correct, I have no idea about this guy)
We could realistically get more than half of them back.
Money talks.
World cups talk.
Travelling internationally against international teams talk.
Spending Christmas with the family over a BBQ talks
And again, money talks.
Pick any of those 4 from that list and wallah, we have genuine depth in the batting at least.
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A few problems with your theory:
a) we don't even qualify for World Cup's any more - so that carrot can't be dangled any more
b) we don't play any Test matches, so that one can't be dangled either
c) I doubt Ballance would be licking his lips about the prospect of a tri-series in Singapore (or Lagos, the way things are going) so the international touring angle isn't going to work
Would a Zim international player get more money than a well paid county player? I don't know, but why give up the comfortable life in England to find out?
Zim cricket's pretty much finished, there's not much point hoping for people to return until the country itself turns around. If and when that ever happens, I think cricket will have long since ceased to be a running affair. IMO just enjoy the last couple of years of Taylor, Williams and co because once they are gone we'll be in the Kenya/Namibia/Botswana division. Hopefully we play a couple more Test and ODI series before the last person to leave turns out the lights.
a) we don't even qualify for World Cup's any more - so that carrot can't be dangled any more
b) we don't play any Test matches, so that one can't be dangled either
c) I doubt Ballance would be licking his lips about the prospect of a tri-series in Singapore (or Lagos, the way things are going) so the international touring angle isn't going to work
Would a Zim international player get more money than a well paid county player? I don't know, but why give up the comfortable life in England to find out?
Zim cricket's pretty much finished, there's not much point hoping for people to return until the country itself turns around. If and when that ever happens, I think cricket will have long since ceased to be a running affair. IMO just enjoy the last couple of years of Taylor, Williams and co because once they are gone we'll be in the Kenya/Namibia/Botswana division. Hopefully we play a couple more Test and ODI series before the last person to leave turns out the lights.
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Gary Balance returning to Zim, still, seriously..? Are we still singing this tune?
I think we still see Zimbabwe in a light which has long since gone. Even the dark years of 2005-08 we toured and we had sides touring. We don't even have that anymore and like BRM said, test matches and world cup places are no longer guarenteed.
As morbid as it sounds, we need to come to eventual terms that cricket within the country has long been dead and we are only surviving via the remnants of a once fruitful, efficient system (Taylor, Ervine, Williams, Chatara etc).
I think we still see Zimbabwe in a light which has long since gone. Even the dark years of 2005-08 we toured and we had sides touring. We don't even have that anymore and like BRM said, test matches and world cup places are no longer guarenteed.
As morbid as it sounds, we need to come to eventual terms that cricket within the country has long been dead and we are only surviving via the remnants of a once fruitful, efficient system (Taylor, Ervine, Williams, Chatara etc).
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brmtaylor.com admin wrote: ↑Tue Oct 29, 2019 10:45 am
A few problems with your theory:
a) we don't even qualify for World Cup's any more - so that carrot can't be dangled any more
b) we don't play any Test matches, so that one can't be dangled either
c) I doubt Ballance would be licking his lips about the prospect of a tri-series in Singapore (or Lagos, the way things are going) so the international touring angle isn't going to work
Would a Zim international player get more money than a well paid county player? I don't know, but why give up the comfortable life in England to find out?
Zim cricket's pretty much finished, there's not much point hoping for people to return until the country itself turns around. If and when that ever happens, I think cricket will have long since ceased to be a running affair. IMO just enjoy the last couple of years of Taylor, Williams and co because once they are gone we'll be in the Kenya/Namibia/Botswana division. Hopefully we play a couple more Test and ODI series before the last person to leave turns out the lights.
I get your sentiment but reality is the bubble at the top CAN still survive in the mid term future by bubbling on a top heavy level.
Basically letting other countries develop our s**t for us then just taking them.
A leaf out of China’s ideology to business and the Sydney Roosters tactic in Rugby League.
Waiting at the finishing line after the hard works been down is incredibly lazy and unethical but it can work if there’s cash there.
Now as much as our overseas tours are plummeting we DO still tour Europe, Ireland and NZ, SA from time to time. There’s a lot of downtime in between but there’s a lot of cricket coming up and it will increase with more Ballances in the side.
We are still good for a couple of test matches a year and in some ways, it’s easy money for Ballance and there’s a lot of T20 opportunities to pounce on.
I think Ballance would get a T20 gig in the big bash, certainly the Canada league and those pissy leagues.
But let’s say you’re totally right and we have two tours a year to stupid countries.
Even then, it’s a case of ‘here’s money for nothing, come see your family’.
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Another thing I never hear about and I don’t know why is Why don’t players study part time when playing for Zim?
At some stage players, even Gary, has to start thinking about life after cricket.
Maybe he is planning on entering the pimp game or the like where he doesn’t need a degree but a four year contract with enough time to do half a degree, or 3/4 of one and getting paid for it, got to be good.
At some stage players, even Gary, has to start thinking about life after cricket.
Maybe he is planning on entering the pimp game or the like where he doesn’t need a degree but a four year contract with enough time to do half a degree, or 3/4 of one and getting paid for it, got to be good.
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There are a couple of things he would have to consider but I think the money and the fixtures are not a problem anymore. I know its hard to believe but that is guaranteed by the ICC. Its not in ZCs control so thats why I believe it.
Salary is not the issue judging by what they pay our top players plus match fees etc. I wouldnt know what he earns out there but anything below 30k a month they can pay.
What he would have to consider is does he have a genuine shot to play for England again. Thats the main 1. If not then you he needs to ask himself does he want to play in the ODI league and obviously some foreign T20 leagues like BT is doing or does he still want to play 50 county games a year in his 30s.
A lot of the decisions are also family driven like for BT and Jarvis. They had personal reasons for coming back. Blessing also apparently had a personal reason to stay in the UK. So that plays a big role.
Anyway I dont even think Mukuhlani and co are thinking that far
Salary is not the issue judging by what they pay our top players plus match fees etc. I wouldnt know what he earns out there but anything below 30k a month they can pay.
What he would have to consider is does he have a genuine shot to play for England again. Thats the main 1. If not then you he needs to ask himself does he want to play in the ODI league and obviously some foreign T20 leagues like BT is doing or does he still want to play 50 county games a year in his 30s.
A lot of the decisions are also family driven like for BT and Jarvis. They had personal reasons for coming back. Blessing also apparently had a personal reason to stay in the UK. So that plays a big role.
Anyway I dont even think Mukuhlani and co are thinking that far
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For the record, the Sydney Roosters develop talented players that other teams can't figure out.
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
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
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Zimbabwe won't be playing much if any Test cricket in the near future, it's been over 12 months since their last Test and well over 24 months since their last home Test. On Twitter the well informed Mehlui Sibanda said that the home series v Sri Lanka (which is still on according to him) will be changed from Tests to ODIs and T20s, he also said that it's unlikely Zimbabwe will play any home Tests until after 2023 when the debt is scheduled to cleared.
Zimbabwe isn't part of the Test Championship so unlike ODI matches in the Championship League, the Tests don't actually have to be played, so it's likely a lot of the scheduled overseas Tests could be cancelled, deferred or what ever. So the attraction to return won't be a chance to play Test cricket again, he'd want a really good salary (much higher than what BT & KJ are apparently on) and the chance to play less cricket for his money.
Really is a 1 in a million shot.
Zimbabwe isn't part of the Test Championship so unlike ODI matches in the Championship League, the Tests don't actually have to be played, so it's likely a lot of the scheduled overseas Tests could be cancelled, deferred or what ever. So the attraction to return won't be a chance to play Test cricket again, he'd want a really good salary (much higher than what BT & KJ are apparently on) and the chance to play less cricket for his money.
Really is a 1 in a million shot.
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All of these conundrums are solved with one solution, having a proper administration.
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I'd say our only chance of playing Tests will be against Ireland and maybe Afghanistan. Bangladesh are a chance as well.
Against the rest? Forget it.
Against the rest? Forget it.
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One thing to remember is even if the game was run well, the players were paid properly and there were plenty of fixtures, Zimbabwe will always lose players to England, the attraction of living in a better country and playing more high profile matches will always attract the best players like Hick, Currans, Byrom etc.
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brmtaylor.com admin wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2019 3:04 pm
I'd say our only chance of playing Tests will be against Ireland and maybe Afghanistan. Bangladesh are a chance as well.
Against the rest? Forget it.
I reckon Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the Windies would all play Zimbabwe if they had their s**t together, probably NZ too. South Africa might even ask for a 3 match series so they can win a game 😂 😂 😂
But yes you're right, in this current state where ZC can't afford to host a Test and they're not apart of the Test Championship they'll be lucky to have the likes of Ireland, Afghanistan and Bangladesh host them.
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jaybro wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2019 12:39 am
I reckon Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the Windies would all play Zimbabwe if they had their s**t together, probably NZ too. South Africa might even ask for a 3 match series so they can win a game 😂 😂 😂
But yes you're right, in this current state where ZC can't afford to host a Test and they're not apart of the Test Championship they'll be lucky to have the likes of Ireland, Afghanistan and Bangladesh host them.
Would have to agree with this. No reason why the likes of SL, NZ, WI, Pak would not want to tour Zim. I think they know that if it was a strong Zim side, they would get a decent game and good development. If we had a proper run game and a strong squad, SA would definitely be up for it. Short travel times for them and familiar conditions. Would not be averse to sending their emerging sides too if they could see good facilities. No reason domestic sides also would not want to come for pre-season camps or anything like that.
This current T20 series with Aus and SL has been so poor. Aus have demolished them.
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