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2021 Zimbabwe Test team Watch

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ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer

Opening post

At least 4 matches scheduled this year (2 vs PAK, and 2 vs AFG I think), so its a big year in the greatest format. We should discuss all things related to ZIM's 2021 Test season here, except for the actual match threads themselves.

I will discuss by picking what I think is the leading 15 players that should be picked, and I trust the rest of the forumites to discuss those picks, add their own lists, and perhaps most importantly pick out guys from outside that bunch that could/should also be given a look or two.

OPENERS:

Prince Masvaure, Kevin Kasuza

Masvaure IMO has neither the batting repertoire nor the fitness to be a viable long term solution. However, a guy who can reliably bat out the first session or even first hour of a Test could still be very handy given that ZIM still has experienced hands in the middle order. Kasuza, I don't know much about, but he did show flashes against Pakistan I believe it was and ought to get a few more chances. To be very blunt, I think Brian Chari may not be a worse option that Masvaure.

MIDDLE ORDER:

Craig Ervine, Brendon Taylor, Sean Williams, Sikander Raza, Wesley Madhevere

Not much to say here. The first 4 names are all automatic selections, and given his start in white ball cricket Madhevere himself maybe a no-brainer too. Will be interesting to see how Wez adapts to the red ball format and what kinda stuff the Pakistanis and Afghans throw at him.

WICKET-KEEPERS:

PJ Moor, Regis Chakabva

Not sure if Murray is available for selection or not. If not, Moor and Chakabva are probably the only remaining options. Both have shown some spine with the bat in the past few years.

SEAMERS:

Tendai Chatara, Kyle Jarvis, Donald Tiripano, Carl Mumba

Not sure if Jarvis is retiring, but if so, that will leave a giant hole in the Test lineup. Chatara and Mumba would probably be the top two seamers in that cast, with perhaps Tiripano edging out the likes of Chris Mpofu due to his batting ability.

SPINNERS:

Brendon Mavuta, Tendai Chisoro

Williams, Raza, and Madhevere can bowl plenty of overs of orthodox spin, so Zimbabwe can probably get away with just picking a single specialist spinner even on rank turners. Chisoro almost surely offers better control, but having a wrist spinner can often allow you to run through a lineup.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
ZCF Hall of Famer

Kriterion_BD wrote: ↑Sun Jan 03, 2021 5:49 am

But Zimbabwe have also beaten Bangladesh in identical conditions!

Good thoughts nonetheless. Has Jarvis officially retired???

For a series in Asia against AFG this is a good working 15 - obviously with COVID you will probably need a squad of at least 18-20 to cover for injuries.

Openers:

Chari, Kasuza, Masvaure

Middle Order bats:

Taylor, Ervine, Williams, Raza, Madhevere,

WKs:

Chakabva, Mutumbami

Spinners:

Chisoro, Mavuta

Seamers:

Chatara, Blessing, Mpofu

I picked Chari ahead of Prince because I think Chari is a far fitter player and thus more likely to play a long innings. I also don't think Prince is significantly better than Chari. That being said, an extra specialist opener is probably warranted.


Yes Zimbabwe did beat Bangladesh, but Taijul & what ever that idiot who did the cobra when he got a wicket name was are not the same beast as Rashid & co.

No need for 3 specialist test openers when you’re going to likely face spin 95% of the time. IMO I wouldn’t play either Kasuza or Masvaure, I’d open with Wes & Ervine and play Shumba & Burl down at 6 & 7.

Mpofu won’t be in the squad and as I said you can’t trust Chatara to get through a test match in such conditions when you’re only picking 2 seamers.
Legend
It will be a spin fest so For me 2 things have to be done. First thing is that like we saw Against Bangladesh, Raza and Williams will be threats as would Burl and Chisoro. Second thing is to play guys who have experience against Afghanistan and can play spin. This is where somebody like PJ comes into the mix

This would be my team

PJ

Raza (he has opened before)

Ervine

BT

Williams

Wes

Chakabva(wk)

Burl/Tiripano

Chisoro

Blessing

Ngarava

I honestly don’t see us needing more than 2 pace bowlers but if they insist on a third then Tiripano over Burl. I think Ngarava has potential from what I saw in Pakistan and he is a leftie so he is different. Chatara needs to improve on his fitness.

It is absolutely critical we pack the team will left arm bowlers because they only had 2 lefties in their last test squad against Afghanistan. That is where they can catch them out. I trust Williams, Chisoro and Ngarava to do the job. I’m also basing my selections on them not surprising us and convincing one of the imports to play for us. Snater is the main guy I’m thinking about.

I think it will go ahead. In fact I think Zim domestic activities will resume soon. Kirsty Coventry couldn’t say I’m banning all sports besides cricket. Cricket is the only sport with enough money to run a bubble.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer

jaybro wrote: ↑Mon Jan 04, 2021 12:31 am

Yes Zimbabwe did beat Bangladesh, but Taijul & what ever that idiot who did the cobra when he got a wicket name was are not the same beast as Rashid & co.


Jeez Louise, did Nazmul Islam Apu get a Test cap this year vs ZIM??? f**k me. We just give them out. I can't stand that guy either or that cobra monstrosity.

Yeah the ZIM wrist spinners are going to be a challenge.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
ZCF Hall of Famer
Don't know why ppl hate it, personally I love the Cobra (Naagin in hindi) dance. Always love to see some entertaining charecters out there on the field. That's his way of celebrating.
Legend
Although I can understand the thinking behind Taps's and jaybro's line-ups Kasuza deserves another chance. I know we don't have any continuity in our Test team anyway, but his omission would be beyond cruel.
Legend
Throw in nyangani as a wildcard 😏😏😂😂
ZCF Hall of Famer

foreignfield wrote: ↑Mon Jan 04, 2021 10:57 am

Although I can understand the thinking behind Taps's and jaybro's line-ups Kasuza deserves another chance. I know we don't have any continuity in our Test team anyway, but his omission would be beyond cruel.


I like Kasuza but I think against Afghanistan you need good players of spin, Kasuza plays with very hard hands & although he doesn’t look terrible against spin, he isn’t as suited to playing a long innings against quality spin IMO

I like TaspC’s side but I wouldn’t open with Raza, if he’s going to bowl a lot of overs let him rest up a bit. Also hopefully he reverts to his original off spinning action for the tests.

Wes

Ervine

BT

Williams

Burl

Raza

Shumba

Regis wk

Chisoro

Blessing

Ngarava
ZCF Hall of Famer

sam_ahm wrote: ↑Mon Jan 04, 2021 8:26 am

Don't know why ppl hate it, personally I love the Cobra (Naagin in hindi) dance. Always love to see some entertaining charecters out there on the field. That's his way of celebrating.


Not for me I’m sorry, I don’t mind Rashid doing his airplane run after a wicket, but he’s a genuine star player who has earned the right to be a bit flashy with his celebration

Nazmul (?) has taken a couple of wickets against Zimbabwe ffs and we haven’t seen him again.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Rashid is good but he hasn’t done all that well in internationals. Most of his wickets are from IPL, BBL, and against Associate teams in ODIs. He hasn’t really ever run through India or Australia or even South Africa I don’t think.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
Veteran
Running through an IPl is a good achievement. Most teams just sit on him now and let him bowl his four overs.
ZCF Hall of Famer

Kriterion_BD wrote: ↑Tue Jan 05, 2021 5:22 am

Rashid is good but he hasn’t done all that well in internationals. Most of his wickets are from IPL, BBL, and against Associate teams in ODIs. He hasn’t really ever run through India or Australia or even South Africa I don’t think.


This isn’t one of your best Kriterion

He’s ran through Zimbabwe plenty of times, which is all that really matters regarding this thread

He has destroyed Bangladesh & Ireland in test matches in these conditions

He’s been almost unplayable in the BBL this season, on flat decks made for batting.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
I rate Rashid don’t get me wrong. But it’s also true that he’s got to have a few performances in internationals to win his side some games or at least run through a lineup in a loss. In 9 games at the last World Cup he was merely OK from what I remember. 9 games is a decent sample size. But the IPL or BBL or Netherlands or even the West Indies can’t be a benchmark for cricketing potential.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
Legend
Afghanistan will play Zimbabwe in Oman in the tests it has been confirmed
ZCF Hall of Famer

Donald wrote: ↑Tue Jan 05, 2021 11:27 pm

Afghanistan will play Zimbabwe in Oman in the tests it has been confirmed


Source/ link ?
ZCF OriginalLegend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ain9VWtYNH8

This is how far behind we are when it comes to unearthing talent and why our pace bowlers don't generally do as great a job as we want.

This is why we talk about players for the test team, trying to determine who the pace bowlers should be is such a conundrum.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer

Donald wrote: ↑Tue Jan 05, 2021 11:27 pm

Afghanistan will play Zimbabwe in Oman in the tests it has been confirmed


That’s great. Might be UAE since They are playing Ireland in the UAE.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
ZCF Hall of Famer

Donald wrote: ↑Tue Jan 05, 2021 11:27 pm

Afghanistan will play Zimbabwe in Oman in the tests it has been confirmed


Great news.
ZCF OriginalVeteran

jaybro wrote: ↑Wed Jan 06, 2021 1:14 am

Source/ link ?


https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/afgh ... gh-1246369

Looks like Oman was the backup venue for the Ireland series but the Zimbabwe games will be in Oman.
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