We haven’t had one of these for a while, probably due to the years of poor performances etc. But I think the big man Blessing Muzarabani is 100% deserving of an appreciation thread.
After leaving Zim for England he copped plenty in this forum, some stuff way below the belt too. But the level headed members knew that a few years away in a County system would do wonders for him.
Since returning he’s been head and shoulders above the rest as Zimbabwe’s best bowler and arguably best player! In Pakistan he won the third ODI with 5 wickets plus an extra 2 in the super over, whilst in Abu Dhabi he destroyed Afghanistan in the 1st Test, whilst he was nullified in the 2nd due to a very flat deck, he still kept things tight and got some 4th innings wickets.
Once again here in this test series against Pakistan on pitches not offering a lot of assistance, he’s bowling so well, taking wickets & again keeping things tight. Looking at his career numbers in tests he now has 15 wickets at 20 !!! Small sample size I know but considering his next 3 Tests are likely to be at home against Bangladesh & Afghanistan you would only think these numbers will improve again.
Zimbabwe are lucky to have such a talent!!!!
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Blessing Muzarabani appreciation thread
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ZCF OriginalVeteran
If the pitches even more seam friendly he can easily get plenty of wickets against afghan and bangladesh
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Marshmallow wrote: ↑Sat May 08, 2021 3:57 am
If the pitches even more seam friendly he can easily get plenty of wickets against afghan and bangladesh
Thats what Zim wanted, but the problem is ZC thinks Pak pacers will damage Zim more in seam friendly pitches then in flat pitches, so Zim curators are going for making asian type pitches, without thinking about Zim pacers who are on 130s but can create heavy damage to opposition in seam friendly pitches
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I won’t lie, with what I’m seeing a part of me actually wishes he had stayed there and maybe had 2 full county seasons then come back. He would have been absolutely lethal. I think he is 90% there compared to guys like Ngarava who are 70% there. Hopefully we prepare carpets against Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Also even though he has a long way to go, he might be the only person capable of catching Heath Streak in tests. This is especially true when you realize he will be playing mainly against Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ireland and Sri Lanka probably. He will be a serious handful for those sides
Also even though he has a long way to go, he might be the only person capable of catching Heath Streak in tests. This is especially true when you realize he will be playing mainly against Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ireland and Sri Lanka probably. He will be a serious handful for those sides
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TapsC2 wrote: ↑Sat May 08, 2021 4:51 am
I won’t lie, with what I’m seeing a part of me actually wishes he had stayed there and maybe had 2 full county seasons then come back. He would have been absolutely lethal. I think he is 90% there compared to guys like Ngarava who are 70% there. Hopefully we prepare carpets against Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Also even though he has a long way to go, he might be the only person capable of catching Heath Streak in tests. This is especially true when you realize he will be playing mainly against Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ireland and Sri Lank probably. He will be a serious handful for those sides
Ngarava could too if he improves a little more
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TapsC2 wrote: ↑Sat May 08, 2021 4:51 am
Also even though he has a long way to go, he might be the only person capable of catching Heath Streak in tests. This is especially true when you realize he will be playing mainly against Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ireland and Sri Lanka probably. He will be a serious handful for those sides
I wouldn't want to think that far into the future, having felt so with Chatara and then his broken leg changing the trajectory altogether.
Wishing Muzarabani a long, injury-free and fruitful career.
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I like his action. It's very easy and free flowing. Reminds me of watching KG or Starc. If he had a bit more menace in his bowling, such as moving the ball off the seam, was able to add variation, hit those deadly lengths regulalry, he'd be one of the best in the game. I don't think Douggie is the coach to help him reach those heights.
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His length is a bit short currently similar to morne morkel. Morkel could have got more wickets If he bowled a bit fuller.
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He's done exceedingly well. I'd still rate Jarvis' body of work ahead of Blessing in Tests, but overall Blessing has done better (white ball heroics) and he's got a higher talent ceiling. I am excite to see how Bangladesh will approach him in a few weeks time.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
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Overall, Muzarabani has been a godsend to our bowling attack. If only we had a equivalent young batsmen performing like that.
And yeah, he seems to always be bowling on low and slow pitches. Imagine him bowling at the WACA or GABBA.
And yeah, he seems to always be bowling on low and slow pitches. Imagine him bowling at the WACA or GABBA.
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I'm honestly not panicking about our batters.
They're just kids at the end of the day, with a LOT of ability.
Shumba is going to be an excellent test cricketer, you can just see it in his technique. Wez will become one but I think he's going to dominate LOI's first. Myers is arguably the most talented of the lot and then Kaia has put his hand up for a middle order slot. Musakanda is also extremely talented but needs to focus on his application. Anyone with a brain and two eyes can see he has all the time in the world, he just needs to select his shots properly. Then there's the all round ability of Brad Evans, the improving ability of Ngarava and the pace of Chivanga who, by the way, I've been told was clocked at 90mph last week in the nets.
We have had almost ALL of our senior batters ripped out of the middle order, what did we honestly expect?
When those senior guys come back and they are integrated with the younger guys, we'll have a situation which we SHOULD have had back in 2004; talented youngsters feeding off the weathered, experienced seniors.
We just need Jarvis back fit to help mentor the young pace bowlers
They're just kids at the end of the day, with a LOT of ability.
Shumba is going to be an excellent test cricketer, you can just see it in his technique. Wez will become one but I think he's going to dominate LOI's first. Myers is arguably the most talented of the lot and then Kaia has put his hand up for a middle order slot. Musakanda is also extremely talented but needs to focus on his application. Anyone with a brain and two eyes can see he has all the time in the world, he just needs to select his shots properly. Then there's the all round ability of Brad Evans, the improving ability of Ngarava and the pace of Chivanga who, by the way, I've been told was clocked at 90mph last week in the nets.
We have had almost ALL of our senior batters ripped out of the middle order, what did we honestly expect?
When those senior guys come back and they are integrated with the younger guys, we'll have a situation which we SHOULD have had back in 2004; talented youngsters feeding off the weathered, experienced seniors.
We just need Jarvis back fit to help mentor the young pace bowlers
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sloandog wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 1:33 pm
I'm honestly not panicking about our batters.
They're just kids at the end of the day, with a LOT of ability.
Shumba is going to be an excellent test cricketer, you can just see it in his technique. Wez will become one but I think he's going to dominate LOI's first. Myers is arguably the most talented of the lot and then Kaia has put his hand up for a middle order slot. Musakanda is also extremely talented but needs to focus on his application. Anyone with a brain and two eyes can see he has all the time in the world, he just needs to select his shots properly. Then there's the all round ability of Brad Evans, the improving ability of Ngarava and the pace of Chivanga who, by the way, I've been told was clocked at 90mph last week in the nets.
We have had almost ALL of our senior batters ripped out of the middle order, what did we honestly expect?
When those senior guys come back and they are integrated with the younger guys, we'll have a situation which we SHOULD have had back in 2004; talented youngsters feeding off the weathered, experienced seniors.
We just need Jarvis back fit to help mentor the young pace bowlers
Best post I've read on this forum all week mate. Couldn't agree more!
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secretzimbo wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 1:52 pm
sloandog wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 1:33 pm
I'm honestly not panicking about our batters.
They're just kids at the end of the day, with a LOT of ability.
Shumba is going to be an excellent test cricketer, you can just see it in his technique. Wez will become one but I think he's going to dominate LOI's first. Myers is arguably the most talented of the lot and then Kaia has put his hand up for a middle order slot. Musakanda is also extremely talented but needs to focus on his application. Anyone with a brain and two eyes can see he has all the time in the world, he just needs to select his shots properly. Then there's the all round ability of Brad Evans, the improving ability of Ngarava and the pace of Chivanga who, by the way, I've been told was clocked at 90mph last week in the nets.
We have had almost ALL of our senior batters ripped out of the middle order, what did we honestly expect?
When those senior guys come back and they are integrated with the younger guys, we'll have a situation which we SHOULD have had back in 2004; talented youngsters feeding off the weathered, experienced seniors.
We just need Jarvis back fit to help mentor the young pace bowlers
Best post I've read on this forum all week mate. Couldn't agree more!
And it's only a Monday
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sloandog wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 1:33 pm
the pace of Chivanga who, by the way, I've been told was clocked at 90mph last week in the nets.
:o
... and agree with pretty much everything else in the above post.
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Zimco wrote: ↑Thu May 20, 2021 8:34 am
Where is the list?
you gotta watch the video.
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