Where to from here?

I don't think it'll be as drastic as it was in 2018. There's a belief with DH. The fact of the matter is that we don't have any batting coming through who could do what Williams or Ervien does.

I'm guessing this is the end of the road for Williams, Raza, and Ervine. I'm concerned that we may not make the next World Cup either, without the big three can one confidently say we are in the top 14 ODI sides? Ireland and Scotland aren't going anywhere, the Netherlands will likely have a steady flow of South Africans mixed in with a few locals, Nepal are on the rise, while Oman and UAE will continue to import guys from the subcontinent.

Crastle_cog wrote: ↑Tue Jul 04, 2023 2:30 pm

eugene wrote: ↑Tue Jul 04, 2023 2:30 pm

I'm guessing this is the end of the road for Williams, Raza, and Ervine. I'm concerned that we may not make the next World Cup either, without the big three can one confidently say we are in the top 14 ODI sides? Ireland and Scotland aren't going anywhere, the Netherlands will likely have a steady flow of South Africans mixed in with a few locals, Nepal are on the rise, while Oman and UAE will continue to import guys from the subcontinent.

We're the hosts, so we qualify automatically isn't it?

I'm sure we'll find a way.

Remember how we disqualified ourselves from the T20 WC a few years ago?

Yes we qualify automatically and if I was one of those 3 I would do my best to be there. My very best.

Ah yes, good point. We qualify as hosts even though Namibia don't. Can any of the big three last another four years?

Googly wrote: ↑Tue Jul 04, 2023 2:32 pm

Yes we qualify automatically and if I was one of those 3 I would do my best to be there. My very best.

Ervine/Raza would be 41. Williams would be 40. I can't see it happening.

Even if they wanted to, the end seems to come quickly for batsmen. What's to say in a year or two it just dries up for them. Four years is a long time.

Things got very heated both within ZC and here on the forum last time. Let’s hope this time everyone just greaves together and moves on.

I just can’t believe it happened again, but wrenching

brmtaylor.com admin wrote: ↑Tue Jul 04, 2023 2:34 pm

Googly wrote: ↑Tue Jul 04, 2023 2:32 pm

Yes we qualify automatically and if I was one of those 3 I would do my best to be there. My very best.

Ervine/Raza would be 41. Williams would be 40. I can't see it happening.

Even if they wanted to, the end seems to come quickly for batsmen. What's to say in a year or two it just dries up for them. Four years is a long time.

Yeah, I don't think there is any chance they stick around. Fast bowling was too much for them today, imagine what another four years will do! It is time to focus on young talent and try and bring a few guys back from overseas with the promise of the 2027 CWC.

Just been reading on twitter (X or Z or whatever) what Raza apparently said post match interview.

Basically said big fallout and big changes imminent and worrying times ahead.

That sounds very ominous. I just don't see what they can do that's constructive.

Raza really has carried us for the past two years hasn’t he. Even this week.

At least we can be sure he won’t be retiring anytime soon.

Well, unless the board make any drastic decisions he doesn’t agree with. But he seems to be very in with them these days.

Well very rarely has one single player held so many cards. If he's the calming voice of reason then that's amazing, but unlikely.

There's not really anywhere to go, we don't have the players to go anywhere other than down. When Taylor, Williams, Ervine, etc., first came into the team they had their struggles but fairly quickly found their feet against full members. Now we have guys entering the team, including much-hyped returnees from overseas who can't even get runs against Rwanda let alone full members. With Bangladesh and Afghanistan well ahead of us and the Netherlands also heading that way, we are so far adrift of any recognized cricketing nation that I think we are going to struggle for fixtures. The 2027 World Cup will most likely be the last tournament Zimbabwe qualifies for.

Def agree with eugene...with one caveat. Its only 2023...if Zimbabwe don't improve drastically by 2025 or 2026...whats stopping the ICC from saying "Namibia have to qualify...Namibia are higher up the rankings than ZIM (in one or both white ball formats)...ergo ZIM should have to qualify as well". Isn't that the most ICC thing ever? Its not like the sponsors or other commercial partners will object.

Improvement won't happen overnight...in other words it is highly unlikely that Zimbabwe will come out and dominate Ireland in the series this month. The key should be baby steps...prove you can compete with Ireland. Sri Lanka will actually the pose a more vulnerable opponent next year...plus ZIM have an excellent record against them and particularly in Sri Lanka.

My suggestion would be this:

1) Pick the best players based on potential. Emphasis should be on guys younger than 25. Keep whichever seniors wish to stay on (Big 3 not talking about Chatara).

2) Above players need to be given a long rope to succeed. Yes, some of them (Wes, Marumani) have already gotten many chances...but lets give everyone identified in #1 above a clean slate. The lads are mentally drained after the UAE game, Scotland game, Namibia/Uganda games basically back to back. Tell them all is forgiven, if they forget and start anew from now.

3) Set realistic targets eg getting close in the rankings to WI for example

4) Arrange senior team tours with teams like Nepal, Namibia, Scotland, Ireland, Netherlands. Results matter less now than learning! There is no place for pride or ego anymore.