The last time Zimbabwe toured Sri Lanka, they clinched the ODI series 3-2 and almost won a test match in Sri Lanka if it was not for Gunaratne and co. And there was no Brendan Taylor but Solomon Mire and Cremer played a vital part. The current Sri Lanka team is way more beatable than the one Zimbabwe won an ODI series over so the big question is who should be on that flight to Sri Lanka?
Muzarabani, Raza, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Burl, Chakabva, Madhevere, Shumba, Ngarava and Wellington are almost certain to be on that flight regardless of their current form.
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Who should be on that flight to Sri Lanka?
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I like Tiripano for his stubbornness with the bat esp in tests but I think SZ is right, may be its time to move on from him. Brad Evans will be a massive boost but he is Injured so obviously won't be available.
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But he's not injured? He's 90% fit, been working on his rehab and is well on the road to recovery.
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Googly wrote: ↑Wed Dec 29, 2021 10:53 am
But he's not injured? He's 90% fit, been working on his rehab and is well on the road to recovery.
Hasn't played for three months though? It'd be harsh on any of the other seamers to drop them for someone who hasn't played a game since early October, and hasn't played a List A game since April.
He'll get his chance this year I'm sure. I hope he isn't going to the UK for club cricket again. We are going to have a lot of cricket over our winter again this year.
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Googly wrote: ↑Wed Dec 29, 2021 10:53 am
But he's not injured? He's 90% fit, been working on his rehab and is well on the road to recovery.
Are recent numbers also backing him? But from what I am gathering on here, he sounds good.
Personally I am for picking emerging players such as Evans and Campbell for a home series and not tough overseas conditions were they might fail and have their confidence crushed. I know Wes debuted overseas and did very well but it was a gamble.
Also worried about our lack of game time and rustiness. They really need to announce the squad and go into camp asap. Organize a few inter team matches to get up to speed but I feel we will struggle on this tour unlike if we had played it soon after the European one.
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Evans could be that lower order fast bowling all rounder we have been craving for since the early 2000's. Ervine, Streak, Bliggy, Friend.
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Richard Ngarava, needs to work in bowling inswing to the right handers, the only skill which makes a left arm pacer vicious
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Apparently the squad was selected today. Players will go into camp on New years day (few sore heads I imagine). Hopefully someone leaks the squad soon.
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Tinah09 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 29, 2021 8:53 am
My list of 20 players, accomodating Covid-19 and injury-unforced absence
Williams (c)
Ervine
Raza
Chakabva (wk)
Burl
Kaitano
Marumani
Shumba
Madhevere
Campbell J
Madande (wk)
Masakadza W
Mavuta
Masuku
Muzarabani
Ngarava
Chavhanga
Mumba
Nyauchi
Chatara
Based on pro50 stats and having reasonable performances in past ODIs
So
Dion Myers
Jongwe
And Tiripano
Don't make it
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Zimbabwe won 3-2 in Sri Lanka in 2017. After the upcomming series it will be clear how good was Streak Taibu combo in taking out best from the average players of Zim at that time
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Rajkumar Sharma wrote: ↑Wed Dec 29, 2021 2:10 pm
Richard Ngarava, needs to work in bowling inswing to the right handers, the only skill which makes a left arm pacer vicious
I think because Ngarava is inconsistent that's why we need jongwe or Evans as the third seam attack
Wellington with the help of Raza; Burl & Sean is enough spin bowling..
Starting X1
Madhevere
Chakabva
Ervine
Sean
Shumba
Raza
Burl/ Mavuta gets one game if Burl is ineffective
Jongwe/ Brad Evans gets one game if Jongwe is ineffective
Wellington
Ngarava
Blessing
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Mueddie28 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 30, 2021 8:27 pm
Rajkumar Sharma wrote: ↑Wed Dec 29, 2021 2:10 pm
Richard Ngarava, needs to work in bowling inswing to the right handers, the only skill which makes a left arm pacer vicious
I think because Ngarava is inconsistent that's why we need jongwe or Evans as the third seam attack
Wellington with the help of Raza; Burl & Sean is enough spin bowling..
Starting X1
Madhevere
Chakabva
Ervine
Sean
Shumba
Raza
Burl/ Mavuta gets one game if Burl is ineffective
Jongwe/ Brad Evans gets one game if Jongwe is ineffective
Wellington
Ngarava
Blessing
Ngarava was arguably our best bowler in the Ireland/Scotland series, his left arm pace with a bit of fine tuning can be a match winner. Plus Blessing really needs to have some pressure taken off him.
Evans stats and international/academy experience and willingness to play for Zim gives him the edge over Jongwe in my book. No. 8 is now an all-rounders slot, you need to be able to bat AND bowl. Most LOI nowadays goes to the wire eggs. “30 runs to win off 20 balls”, you need a lower middle-order that can actually bat 1. To chase a score 2. To provide a “cushion” for the specialist batsmen to let rip.
I don’t understand why Wellington is a shoe-in in most of these hypothetical teams? He has great attitude, appears to be competitive but his stats are not as good and shouldn’t guarantee him a spot. He really should be competing for this spot with Masuku, Chapungu etc. If our specialist spin bowler is not in our top 3 spin bowlers (Sean, Raza and Burl) , then what’s the point of having him there?? If his economy was good like Utseyas was, that will be something else, but it’s not!
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Tinah09 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:01 pm
Any news regarding team selections?? I would have expected them to name players for a “Northens vs Southerns” series of matches to pick their travelling team. It’s kind of a pattern in zwe that the team is announced a few days before take off, before people can debate team selections etc. the series starts in 2 weeks time yet in the era of social media and infinite means of communication, the fans (and players I reckon) are not informed….next thing we’ll see Maruma, Kaia and chibhabhas names on the team list a day or two before take-off with “experience” used to justify their inclusion
The squad has been selected and communicated to players apparently. Camp starts Jan 1st. I guess they'll play a practice match or two (if they can, with bubbles etc) before flying out.
I haven't heard any whispers about who is in or out yet though sadly.
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We have ervine Williams raza and Chakhabva so plenty of experience in batting. Stick in burl shumba and madhevere and that's a real nice mix of players
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Donald wrote: ↑Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:16 pm
We have ervine Williams raza and Chakhabva so plenty of experience in batting. Stick in burl shumba and madhevere and that's a real nice mix of players
It's a good top six. But who opens? None of them are ideal for it. That's why I'd probably look to give Kaitano and Kasuza a chance. They might prove to be s**t, but otherwise we are putting square pegs in round holes again.
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Rajput youth policy might mean that reggie opens with shumba rather than another player pushing 30 ( kaitano) debuting.
I might Imagine they may even play 8 batsmen so spin is covered with ngarava and blessing perhaps the sole spinners
I might Imagine they may even play 8 batsmen so spin is covered with ngarava and blessing perhaps the sole spinners
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secretzimbo wrote: ↑Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:22 pm
Donald wrote: ↑Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:16 pm
We have ervine Williams raza and Chakhabva so plenty of experience in batting. Stick in burl shumba and madhevere and that's a real nice mix of players
It's a good top six. But who opens? None of them are ideal for it. That's why I'd probably look to give Kaitano and Kasuza a chance. They might prove to be s**t, but otherwise we are putting square pegs in round holes again.
Kaitano has definitely earned a spot. Who will be his opening partner ??
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Tinah09 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 30, 2021 10:17 pm
secretzimbo wrote: ↑Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:22 pm
Donald wrote: ↑Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:16 pm
We have ervine Williams raza and Chakhabva so plenty of experience in batting. Stick in burl shumba and madhevere and that's a real nice mix of players
It's a good top six. But who opens? None of them are ideal for it. That's why I'd probably look to give Kaitano and Kasuza a chance. They might prove to be s**t, but otherwise we are putting square pegs in round holes again.
Kaitano has definitely earned a spot. Who will be his opening partner ??
My? - A squad X1
Kasuzu or klong
Kaitano
Marumani
PJ Moor
J Campbell
Masuku
Madande
Mumba
Tiripano
Chatara last run
Chivanga
Then mix and match the U19 players when they are done with the world cup
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😂
Mueddie28 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 31, 2021 12:31 am
Tinah09 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 30, 2021 10:17 pm
secretzimbo wrote: ↑Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:22 pm
It's a good top six. But who opens? None of them are ideal for it. That's why I'd probably look to give Kaitano and Kasuza a chance. They might prove to be s**t, but otherwise we are putting square pegs in round holes again.
Kaitano has definitely earned a spot. Who will be his opening partner ??
My? - A squad X1
Kasuzu or klong
Kaitano
Marumani
PJ Moor
J Campbell
Masuku
Madande
Mumba
Tiripano
Chatara last run
Chivanga
Then mix and match the U19 players when they are done with the world cup
😂 😂 I think I wrote this before/during the Domestic season. Half of these players won’t be selected in the travelling 15 due to poor form K long, PJ while Madande and Campbell need a Zim A run and tons of FC cricket…No Madhevere and Shumba = blasphemy
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