Which team would you rather have? Back in 2004 we were fresh out of the rebel saga and were left with a team with inexperienced youngsters. We are pretty much entering into a similar time now with an impending loss of experience and unproven youngsters. Which group would you rather have, the 2004 squad or the current one?
Here is the 2004 squad for an ODI series against Australia
1. Stuart Matsikenyeri
2. Brendan Taylor
3. Vusi Sibanda
4. Dion Ebrahim
5. Tatenda Taibu (c)(w)
6. Mark Vermeulen
7. Elton Chigumbura
8. Mluleki Nkala
9. Tinashe Panyangara
10. Tawanda Mupariwa
11. Ed Rainsford
12. Waddington Mwayenga
13. Alester Maregwede
14. Douglas Hondo
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
Interesting question. What I did was look at the 2004 squad here and the u19 squad from 2004 which also had Cremer, Ervine, Williams, Mawoyo plus other guys who didn’t play for Zim like De Grandhomme and James Cameron. I would take the 2004 situation if that’s what I had to work with in theory plus the u19s. Of course we know a lot of things happened in the years that followed.
To think that u19 team knocked over Australia and New Zealand at the u19 World Cup in 2004. Pushed England to the 49th over. There was something to work with there especially when you watch our recent u19 World Cup performances. England and Australia absolutely hammered those kids in January
Also from a bowling perspective around that time Panyngara and Rainsford had some gas. Elton was a decent bowler then as well. I think they were all bowling above 135kph then but injuries affected them badly. Something you can’t predict. We are lucky to have Blessng and Ngarava right now so that’s the clear advantage. We can only hope they stay fit
I would take the talent we had coming through in 2004 over what we have now. 2004 was a historical low point for Zimbabwe in our full member history, and yet I think we were in better shape than we are now.
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
That 2004 team had talent and was being nurtured properly. It was just Bvute and co who insisted on transformation so they were forced to play international cricket earlier than they should have. They then didn't get proper training, development, the funds were squandered etc etc.
We had a proper line of players for years to come especially when you consider the U19 squad at the time. We could easily have had 2 and a bit starting teams.