ICC Under 19 World Cup 2020 South Africa

It would be an interesting exercise to see who from the last four u19 WC’s still plays cricket and at what level.

I’m sure we probably have the highest drop out rate.

This group seems to have a strong batting line up, but their bowling looks to be below par. I’m not sure any of these batters have faced much over 130 and they’re likely to see 140 plus, we’ll soon see who has the goods because that’s a big step up.

ICC is supposed to have allocated money for all the u19 teams and yet ours have not played a single other u19 side! The usual question- where’s the money gone??

You’d think ICC would ask them for a breakdown of their expenses. Even our mob would have a tough time explaining that one.

There seems to be little point in getting ZC to “investigate” a highly questionable selection when they themselves are corrupt to the core. The only time there’s ever an “investigation” in Zim is when someone has broken ranks and they want to get rid of them- it’s all catch and release anyway, it just means their snouts are removed from the trough. The problem we face in all walks is that corruption is a way of life here, it’s a recognized and accepted way of surviving.

Samora Machel once famously said - the goat must graze where it’s tethered.

The trick is to become the goat.

Great questions, well worth my time investigating during the holidays.

2012: Australia

These players are 25/26 at the moment.

Matthew Bentley: Captain of this squad, went and played in Ireland for a couple of seasons before going to University in South Africa, now works in the Tobacco industry and is again based in Zimbabwe I think.

Kevin Kasuza Has transferred to the domestic scene. Averaging around 30 with the bat in both FC and OD cricket. On the fringes of national selection without ever knocking the door down.

Kyle Bowie Played a few FC games for the Tuskers before heading to Australia to play club cricket, has also played club cricket in the UK. No idea what he is doing now.

Ryan Burl Originally went to University in the UK before dropping out to return to play cricket in Zimbabwe, played a number of seasons in the UK before finally getting his chance in the national side.

Atish Chouhan Played a number of seasons in the UK, think he is now based in South Africa.

Kieran Geyle Went to University of Southampton in the UK, played club cricket and a few games for Hampshire 2nds. Now lives in London where he plays club cricket.

Luke Jongwe The first of this group to play international cricket. Drifted away from the game due to drugs and alcohol problems, trying to force his way back into the domestic game at the moment, has played a number of seasons with some success in the UK.

Malcolm Lake Moved to the UK where he has played for Oxford University and Daberyshire 2nds. Studying to become a lawyer, plays club cricket in London.

Campbell Light Played club cricket in the UK and Australia. Think he is now based back in Zimbabwe,

Wellington Masakadza Played on the domestic scene for the last few years, has represented Zimbabwe in all formats. Very much on the fringes of the national side.

Luke Masasire Drifted out of the game to play rugby in South Africa, not sure on his progress.

Nyasha Mayavo First choice wk at the Rhinos, considered to be the best gloveman in the country but his batting lets him down. Was nearly selected for a Test Match against the West Indies in 2017.

Cuthbert Musoko Broke onto the domestic scene but has not played in the last couple of years. Think he was the top wicket taker in the Vinge Cup last year. Played some club cricket in the UK.

Andre Odendaal Very little information about this guy but he played club cricket in Australia in 2019.

Peacemore Zimwa Lives in Joburg where he plays and coaches in Club Cricket.

Kieran Gayle was a decent player. Damned good spinner and good batsman, and improved his batting immensely, he’s just another UK statistic ie he’s been overlooked. He could easily have played at a higher level.

We definitely have not seen the last of Lake. I suspect he’s finishing off his law degree before concentrating on cricket. He plays for Esher CC, an absolutely monumental talent with the bat but I don’t think has ever ground out one single innings, he just plays freely and if he comes off his team wins, which is not that often. If this guy put his head down he’d be amazing, bowls quick and is an absolute gun fielder. We’ll see him at Derbyshire or back in zim in a year or so, can almost guarantee it.

You can see from your post that the white guys are not part of the plan here.

I saw Gary King the other day, another really talented guy who was plying his trade in Ireland, but I believe wants to make a move to a Surrey club and hope to get noticed. That’s a bit naive. Nobody makes the jump from club to county in Surrey, and that applies mostly to all counties. You’re either in the system from the outset or you’re a lost soul with pipe dreams.

Brad Evans is around for the Xmas break as well, another talented young man.

Campbell Light was quick, had a back problem.

You often find that talented guys give up too quickly, when it comes too easy and then you hit a rough patch when you play in the deep end it’s too easy to pull a fictitious fat and claim 30 years later that you could have played for the World eleven but for the dodgy knee. Most of my mates fall into this category and when I’ve had a bottle of scotch I also have a few claims 😂

Bentley’s dad was a Springbok back in the Currie Cup days.

Not sure what’s happening with Dollar. He was ok, but I don’t think quite good enough.

Frost is at Loughborough, also borderline in my view.

If Murray doesn’t get some attention I think he’ll be lost soon as well. That would be a big loss, not that they care.

And then my pet subject....Muyeye!

The most talented batsman Zim has seen since Houghton and Hick and these muppets don’t see that, and whilst the cash rolls in they don’t care.

I’d send a delegation to kidnap this guy.

Richie Lock I think has given up as well.

Same as Hopper. Both decent players.

Shardendorf seems to be on the fringes of Notts Two’s.

He’s a good player. He’s another that will get lost in the post unless he does something monumental this coming season. There’s always only a small window before they move onto the next crop coming through. It’s an endless wave of players there. He needs hundreds!

It’s interesting.

A common theme seems to be an aversion to grind it out and face the adversity to make it internationally. Burl the exception.

Lake looks like he would be great to fill in the Malcolm Waller numbed 7 X factor role.

Problem is when these guys decide to take study breaks and all that it stunts progress and development. Hamilton I don’t think lived up to his early promise post study. He lacked that extra step you’d expect of someone making centuries on debut at 17.

Yes agreed. Whilst it’s prudent to get a tertiary education, if you’re going to play in Zim, it definitely slows most people down. I don’t think it would slow Lake down, he’s just a raw talent that could pick it up after a couple of years.

Aah I’ve watched Sam Hain. Good player.

Terry, it’s an indication of thieves in charge of our cricket.

They don’t even have pathways for player development.

RS and AC Academy was not even their initiative, they don’t give a damn. As long as that gravy train keeps pulling into the station they’re happy. The only thing that worries them is not being too embarrassed by a possible poor showing by a member nation at the U19, which is why they rope in people from all over, pick over age players, pick guys who will never play cricket again, pick guys that they know will play elsewhere immediately after etc etc....and amongst all of that there’s always someone willing to take some money to slot in a couple of guys who will be water boys until there’s a dead rubber, which usually happens sooner rather than later.

The only guys that stay here after U19 are the guys that have no other options. Where’s Masakanda for example?

The only two guys I can think of are Burl and Moor who were of FC caliber who’ve stuck it out here.

A huge send off for these u19’s with rousing speeches but they haven’t even had one proper game against another u19 side yet. They will be sacrificing chickens and hoping for a miracle. ZC are a disgrace. Incompetent thieves is all.

I think only one age group side was picked this year and their games in SA were rained off. It’s all just smoke and mirrors to kid people that they’re doing stuff.

Then they hope to find a good u19 player after kids have been at school for 12 years and they’ve never played a season of really competitive cricket in all that time.

Matigimu is still playing good cricket. I think the others have taken their foot off the gas. I think Keefe went to U.K. with big hopes.

2014: UAE

Malcolm Lake Moved to the UK where he has played for Oxford University and Daberyshire 2nds. Studying to become a lawyer, plays club cricket in London.

Deven Bell Played club cricket in the Somerset league in the UK before returning home to play a few first class matches for the Tuskers (took a five wicket haul in his only first class game). Now pursuing a career as a Strength and conditioning Coach and Sport coach at Wellington School in the UK.

Ryan Burl Originally went to University in the UK before dropping out to return to play cricket in Zimbabwe, played a number of seasons in the UK before finally getting his chance in the national side.Has played in the BPL and the Afghanistan Premier League[/b]

Herbert Chikomba Played 11 first class games for the Eagles before moving to South Africa to coach in a private school. Has recently been part of Alistair Campbell's Academy but not selected for the Rangers squad to take part in the Logan Cup. Is named in the Rhinos squad but has not played this season.

Kieran Geyle Went to University of Southampton in the UK, played club cricket and a few games for Hampshire 2nds. Now lives in London where he plays club cricket.

Joylord Gumbie Played a few seasons for the Eagles where he showed promise scoring 168* in the Logan Cup, did not play in the 2018.2019 season but now with the Mountaineers and hit 63 to continue his fine form shown in this seasons Vigne Cup where he is currently the leading run scorer.

Shoun Handirisi Has played 26 first class games without making a great impression. Averages below 20 in all formats. Has done nothing to show that he is worthy of a place in the domestic system.

Cuthbert Musoko Broke onto the domestic scene but has not played in the last couple of years. Think he was the top wicket taker in the Vinge Cup last year. Played some club cricket in the UK.

Luke Jongwe The first of this group to play international cricket. Drifted away from the game due to drugs and alcohol problems, trying to force his way back into the domestic game at the moment, has played a number of seasons with some success in the UK.

Dylan Hondo Has been one of the standout performers in club cricket in recent years without ever getting a chance with one of the franchises. Has finally been given a chance this seasons with the Rangers under Gary Brent. Will be interesting to see how he goes.

Tinashe Kamunhukamwe Took a while to be given a chance in the domestic game as he spent several seasons on the bench of a strong and experienced Mountaineers squad. Went on the Rising Stars tour to the UK where he worked hard on his game. Scored heavily in the Rising Starts one and only season in first class cricket and continued his good form for the Eagles where he is making good progress under the guidance of Stuart Matsikenyeri. Will look to add to his three ODI caps in the near future.

Charles Kunje Has made a good fist of applying his trade in the domestic game with two centuries to date for the Tuskers. Was the 2nd highest run scorer in the 2016/17 season with 415 runs @ 41.50. His has built up some good UK experience, firstly for Meigle CC, in 2015 season in the North East Championship in Scotland – scoring 513 runs and scalping 29 wickets avg @ 12.24 and in 2018, with Ivybridge CC. One of the better batsman on the domestic circuit but is not in great shape fitness wise.

Patrick Mambo A very talented cricketer who put his cricket career on hold to go and study in South Africa. Has returned to Zimbabwe and has put forward some promising performances for the Eagles. One to watch out for with bat and ball.

Tarisai Musakanda Has played all around the world, scoring runs in club cricket in the UK and Australia, expect him to return and play for Zimbabwe in the near future.

Mkhululi Nyathi A fringe player at the Rhinos without ever breaking through. Went on the Rising Stars tour. Is listed as part of the Rhinos squad for the Logan Cup but has not made an appearance to date.

Any other contributions? This is good stuff. It just shows what long odds it is to make a pro career of cricket, you’ve probably got more chance here than anywhere else, but still incredibly tough to become a regular.

I rate Patrick Mambo. Strong lad, has some fire in his belly.

Masakanda is an interesting guy. There’s clearly a gap in the batting dept up front and he’s not making himself available and he would definitely be in the mix. I can only think he’s p**sed someone off or the coach doesn’t like him. He’s got the ability to make the grade, certainly for Zim. He plays too many shots, but for sure he can play.

He gets around as well which is not easy on a Zim passport. He will have learnt a bit over the last year or so. It’s going to be an interesting couple of months with u19 and the Sri Lankans.

Googly wrote: ↑Thu Jan 02, 2020 8:13 pm

I rate Patrick Mambo. Strong lad, has some fire in his belly.

A thinking cricketer, should make the national side at some point this year.