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2020 ZCF XI

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ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer

Opening post

It is time for the 2020 ZCF XI team announcement. The COVID pandemic wreaked havoc with the ZCF fixture list with only half of all planned fixtures being played. In both matches this season the following players excelled or failed, either way, they made the team!

2020 ZCF XI

1. foreignfield: Stuck in Germany due to the Covid pandemic and being unable to play in either fixture provided little obstacle to being named as team captain. His time in the Bavarian Crictoberfest Boozers T10 League will no doubt serve him well in the longer formats of the game.

2. tawac: As an indigenous player, tawac is obviously selected/sacrificed as an opening batsman.

3. jaybro: The new leading run-scorer for ZCF, a feat that is remarkable given that nobody can actually remember any specific innings.

4. CrimsonAvenger: Is rumoured to be considering retirement now that he has lost his mantle of leading run-scorer to jaybro. Should be noted he took six years longer than jaybro to accumuate the same number of runs. Overrated much?

5. Kriterion_BD: Surprisingly a complete newcomer to the side despite being in picture for many years. It is rumoured questions were raised by the selection panel of where his true allegiance lay. Spends most of his time out in the middle arguing about politics and not scoring runs.

6. Marshmallow: Another newcomer, marshmallow lives up to his name as the soft underbelly of the ZCF middle-order.

7. TapsC2: With money in the administration trough drying up, TapsC has reinvented himself as TapsC2 - a wicket-keeper who makes extra money on the side as the team snitch.

8. Jemisi: Still going strong, has seen a promotion up the batting order due to the ineptness of those below him. His career will always be a case of "what if" though. Could he have been the ZCF highest run-scorer if maehara hadn't banned him for a time due to disciplinary reasons?

9. zimdan: A ZCF domestic stalwart, zimdan has finally been rewarded with selection to the ZCF XI. Being locally based also helped his cause during the pandemic and associated travel bans.

10. Googly: After declaring that 2019 would be his final season in the team as ZCF would surely be dead by 2020, he nevertheless continued his extended stay in the side. His side gig of luring talented ZCF youngsters with Kolpak deals has been brought to an end by Brexit.

11. sloandog: With the Covid-enforced closure of the phpBB bar at the ZCF Sports Ground, sloandog has got himself back in respectable shape and has made a comeback to the international scene after playing virtually no cricket - as could only happen in the ZCF universe. His comeback may not last long however as he is rumoured to be getting married and wedding season always seems to align with the cricket season.

Coach: MGN: Has an interesting name, anyone know what it stands for?

Selector: eugene: Still here, year after year as selector. Just as well ZCF cricket isn't a results-driven business!

Doctor: Dr_Situ (ZimFanatic): Has spent most of the year overseeing ZCF Covid-protocols. Getting team sponsor KFC to change its motto away from finger-licking good was a masterstroke as the ZCF team eats buckets of chicken before, during, and after every match.

Administrator: ZIMDOGGY: A newcomer to the admin side of the game after his retirement to Estonia which seems as good as place as any to which administer cricket.

Changes from 2019:

encore: Another ban for disciplinary reasons, will he make another comeback?

Black Mamba: Was discovered to not be black so therefore lost his opening spot.

Zimfan1 / ZIMFAN: No spectators allowed due to Covid restrictions.

brmtaylor.com: Completely disappeared, rumoured to be lost in the Australian outback somewhere.

Mueddie28: Sacked as captain by ZIMDOGGY. Rumoured to be trying his hand for the Quoteas south of the border.

zimbos_05: Not sure how he made the team to begin with. Who was this guy again?

Previous years lineups can be found at the following links:

2019: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=16742

2018: http://www.zimcricketforums.com/viewtop ... 018+zcf+xi

2017: viewtopic.php?t=14398

2016: viewtopic.php?t=12822

2015: viewtopic.php?t=11838

2014: viewtopic.php?t=6934

2013: viewtopic.php?t=6499

2012: viewtopic.php?t=5336
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
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Hard to believe this is the ninth year of the ZCF XI, tenth if you count the 2011 ZCF awards which was the forerunner of the ZCF XI. I don't know about you guys, but I love looking back over old posts and threads and seeing how the forum has changed over the years and how some of us have really stuck this thing out long term.
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
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Haha...good stuff!

I've finally cracked the side as a 37 year old debutant!
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
ZCF Hall of Famer
Well done Eugene, very funny as per usual

Happy New Years to everyone & congratulations to Sloandog on the engagement 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
ZCF OriginalLegend

eugene wrote: ↑Fri Jan 01, 2021 1:03 am

zimbos_05: Not sure how he made the team to begin with. Who was this guy again?


Says the Roosters supporter.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Nice work again Eugene!
The Third Innings
Legend
Nice one us usual, Eugene!

Getting recalled from the virtual wilderness of simulation cricket as opener and captain has a Chamu-esque ring to it, ZIMDOGGY dishing out jobs for the boys in his new capacity as administrator no doubt.

Now that my retirement plans have gone haywire I will have to seriously reflect on the future. Mike Brearley's Art of Captaincy is open on my desk, I have ordererd Bob Woolmer's Art and Science of Cricket while I nervously contemplate the fields to set for Googly's googlies.

Meanwhile I will happily throw the new ball to sloandog who must absolutely flying if rumours are true. Well done! :)
ZCF OriginalVeteran

eugene wrote: ↑Fri Jan 01, 2021 1:03 am

It is time for the 2020 ZCF XI team announcement. The COVID pandemic wreaked havoc with the ZCF fixture list with only half of all planned fixtures being played. In both matches this season the following players excelled or failed, either way, they made the team!

2020 ZCF XI

1. foreignfield: Stuck in Germany due to the Covid pandemic and being unable to play in either fixture provided little obstacle to being named as team captain. His time in the Bavarian Crictoberfest Boozers T10 League will no doubt serve him well in the longer formats of the game.

2. tawac: As an indigenous player, tawac is obviously selected/sacrificed as an opening batsman.

3. jaybro: The new leading run-scorer for ZCF, a feat that is remarkable given that nobody can actually remember any specific innings.

4. CrimsonAvenger: Is rumoured to be considering retirement now that he has lost his mantle of leading run-scorer to jaybro. Should be noted he took six years longer than jaybro to accumuate the same number of runs. Overrated much?

5. Kriterion_BD: Surprisingly a complete newcomer to the side despite being in picture for many years. It is rumoured questions were raised by the selection panel of where his true allegiance lay. Spends most of his time out in the middle arguing about politics and not scoring runs.

6. Marshmallow: Another newcomer, marshmallow lives up to his name as the soft underbelly of the ZCF middle-order.

7. TapsC2: With money in the administration trough drying up, TapsC has reinvented himself as TapsC2 - a wicket-keeper who makes extra money on the side as the team snitch.

8. Jemisi: Still going strong, has seen a promotion up the batting order due to the ineptness of those below him. His career will always be a case of "what if" though. Could he have been the ZCF highest run-scorer if maehara hadn't banned him for a time due to disciplinary reasons?

9. zimdan: A ZCF domestic stalwart, zimdan has finally been rewarded with selection to the ZCF XI. Being locally based also helped his cause during the pandemic and associated travel bans.

10. Googly: After declaring that 2019 would be his final season in the team as ZCF would surely be dead by 2020, he nevertheless continued his extended stay in the side. His side gig of luring talented ZCF youngsters with Kolpak deals has been brought to an end by Brexit.

11. sloandog: With the Covid-enforced closure of the phpBB bar at the ZCF Sports Ground, sloandog has got himself back in respectable shape and has made a comeback to the international scene after playing virtually no cricket - as could only happen in the ZCF universe. His comeback may not last long however as he is rumoured to be getting married and wedding season always seems to align with the cricket season.

Coach: MGN: Has an interesting name, anyone know what it stands for?

Selector: eugene: Still here, year after year as selector. Just as well ZCF cricket isn't a results-driven business!

Doctor: Dr_Situ (ZimFanatic): Has spent most of the year overseeing ZCF Covid-protocols. Getting team sponsor KFC to change its motto away from finger-licking good was a masterstroke as the ZCF team eats buckets of chicken before, during, and after every match.

Administrator: ZIMDOGGY: A newcomer to the admin side of the game after his retirement to Estonia which seems as good as place as any to which administer cricket.

Changes from 2019:

encore: Another ban for disciplinary reasons, will he make another comeback?

Black Mamba: Was discovered to not be black so therefore lost his opening spot.

Zimfan1 / ZIMFAN: No spectators allowed due to Covid restrictions.

brmtaylor.com: Completely disappeared, rumoured to be lost in the Australian outback somewhere.

Mueddie28: Sacked as captain by ZIMDOGGY. Rumoured to be trying his hand for the Quoteas south of the border.

zimbos_05: Not sure how he made the team to begin with. Who was this guy again?

Previous years lineups can be found at the following links:

2019: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=16742

2018: http://www.zimcricketforums.com/viewtop ... 018+zcf+xi

2017: viewtopic.php?t=14398

2016: viewtopic.php?t=12822

2015: viewtopic.php?t=11838

2014: viewtopic.php?t=6934

2013: viewtopic.php?t=6499

2012: viewtopic.php?t=5336


A 20 year old young blood make his mark in scene. Expecting some valuable experience from elders 🚶‍♂️
Veteran
Great work in this! Good stuff eugene
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer

foreignfield wrote: ↑Fri Jan 01, 2021 10:44 am

Nice one us usual, Eugene!

Getting recalled from the virtual wilderness of simulation cricket as opener and captain has a Chamu-esque ring to it, ZIMDOGGY dishing out jobs for the boys in his new capacity as administrator no doubt.

Now that my retirement plans have gone haywire I will have to seriously reflect on the future. Mike Brearley's Art of Captaincy is open on my desk, I have ordererd Bob Woolmer's Art and Science of Cricket while I nervously contemplate the fields to set for Googly's googlies.

Meanwhile I will happily throw the new ball to sloandog who must absolutely flying if rumours are true. Well done! :)


😂
The Third Innings
ZCF Hall of Famer
These are so good.

My hot tip is I eventually make a comeback to the playing squad. Years after the fact and with a beer belly.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Zimbabwean cricket really provides much of the material. Foreignfield correctly associated his appointment as captain with that of Chamu's. It would be much harder to find material like this following New Zealand cricket for example.
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
Legend
Borrowing an idea from CrimsonAvenger's thread, here are the ZCF batsmen and their favourite or best shots:

1. foreignfield: the leave -- Runs having dried up for him, the new captain is trying hard to master this 'stroke', the constant sound of rattling timbers indicating he is far from the finished product as opener.

2. tawac: flick -- With innings and even strokes few and far between last season we have to rely on a sketchy memory of a predominantly on-side player, strong off his pads.

3. jaybro: drives along the ground -- A prolific run scorer all around and in all conditions, ZCF's new run machine prefers to keep 'em on the ground and the fielders interested right up to the boundary. Holds the record for most all-run fours, his only weakness a tendency to call for impossible fifth runs.

4. CrimsonAvenger: cover drive -- Elegantly bisecting the fielders, holding the pose for the cameramen, and thus adding to his fathomless collection of Zim cricket photos.

5. Kriterion_BD: leg-glance -- No argument goes past this man, bowl it where you will, he'll shuffle right across and send the widest of wides towards the boundary or into the gleefully waiting hands of the keeper. Wether he can hold down a place in ZCF's engine room for more than one congressional election cycle remains to be seen, though.

6. Marshmallow: the Marillier -- Full of youthful exuberance, the new kid on the block is never shy to resurrect shots of yesteryear and play them at six consecutive different balls.

7. TapsC2: reverse sweep -- The only left hander in the side and a former hockey player of great repute has reinvented himself as ZCF's premier exponent of every Zimbabwean batsmen's favourite stroke.

8. Jemisi: the nurdle -- It's not pretty, but it has served this ZCF stalwart well over the years. No one else keeps the score board ticking over on match days like him.

9. zimdan: square cut -- When it's his time of the forum calendar year there is no one prettier to watch against fast bowling, but blink and you'll miss him for the next 11 months.

10. Googly: slog sweep -- Despite his name this man knows all about the decline of forum batting, and the perils associated with every possible shot in Bob Woolmer's big book. Forever in two minds whether to play forward or back, and sharply analysing the imminent dangers of such an approach, he often resorts to scientific slogging with astonishing results.

11. sloandog: stepping out to hit it out of the park -- Too long stereotyped as an all and out speedster with little interest in the finer arts of batting, sloandog has turned himself into a dependable lower order bat. But beware the opposing bowler who get's under the skin of this otherwise laid-back character. Can destroy attacks within nanoseconds.

Admins:

Eugene: baseball swing -- Having spent too much time in the US his once famous straight drives for one have largely gone AWOL. Is secretly studying the arts of baseball sign language and planning a comeback as ZCF coach.

ZIMDOGGY: pull/hook -- ZCF's happy hooker has left his beaten track and followed beauty to its rumoured source. Not running low on testosterone, his pull shots and hooks are as muscular as ever, never mind the stereoids.

On the bench:

zimbos_05: forward defensive -- Technically the most correct of all ZCF's batsmen, his abhorrence of cross-batted shots has recently lead to an over-cautious approach. Can always be relied upon to hold up his end in a discussion, but just needs to remind himself that the V is there to be scored in.

zimfan1: the flamingo/the tube/the letter-box -- Just when you least expect it, zimfan1 comes up with a novelty shot of his own invention that takes everyone by surprise. Forever in the bad books of the selector for no apparent reason other than the presumption of being Zim's no. 1 fan.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Beautiful
The Third Innings
ZCF Hall of Famer
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
ZCF OriginalLegend
I will take that assessment. I definitely prefer the straight bat better than the cross bat. Never understand why players try to be too fancy in games especially when they are chasing and just need to keep it simple.
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