If zimbabwe resume tests this year i would pick an alternative side for the ODI squad
Jimbo's Zimbabwe test Squad
1.Duffin
2.Taylor
3.Chibhabha
4.Taibu
5.Williams
6.Mazakadza
7.Chigumbura
8.Brent
9.Utseya
10.mahwire
11.Price
On a seaming wicket i would be tempted to drop price and play rainsford
ODI Squad
1.Sibanda
2.Taylor
3.Cibhabha
4.Taibu
5.Williams
6.Coventry
7.Chigumbura
8.Utseya
9.Brent
10.Price
11.Rainsford
Mpofu is not far from displacing rainsford in my ODI 11 but i think rainsford is marginally the better bowler, Also Sibanda has earnt his place in the ODI line-up nowaday with terrefic form over the past two years. Matsikenyeri and dabengwa would not come close to my 11
Discussion
Your first XI
Discussion
ZCF Hall of Famer
This is a great post, so I have split it into a new topic.
Here are my Test and ODI elevens:
Test
It was very tough to pick this, to be honest. Zimbabwe have such a strong tail, and unbelievable strength in spin bowling (well, as much as you can expect for Zimbabwe). Any of Utseya, Price, Cremer, and Maruma could make the first eleven, but obviously you can't play 4 spinners. Even playing 3 is overkill, but in my lineup, Prosper Utseya is playing as a number four batsman. I don't think this is an unrealistic move, and it opens up a spot for another bowler, as does the presence of allrounder Elton Chigumbura.
I went with Cremer because I think he is the one most likely to perform at Test level. He's played, what, 6 Test's I think? And he did pretty well considering the circumstances. He has developed into a bloody good batsman too. Maruma would have to be very close to making the team, he just seems to have so much potential. Perhaps like Regis Chakabva, he should play in Zimbabwe A matches for a while to build confidence. Over the past few years, Zimbabwe haven't had the luxury of developing players, maybe now is a good time to start doing it again rather than throwing young kids in the deep end. Blessing Mahwire would also be very close to a spot as the 3rd quick, but I think Mpofu should be first choice. Under the playing eleven I've included my "next in lines".
1. Terrence Duffin
2. Brendan Taylor (wk)
3. Tatenda Taibu
4. Prosper Utseya (c)
5. Hamilton Masakadza
6. Sean Williams
7. Elton Chigumbura
8. Graeme Cremer
9. Ray Price
10. Gary Brent
11. Chris Mpofu
Reserve spinner: Timycen Maruma
Reserve quick: Blessing Mahwire
Reserve batsman: Chamu Chibhabha
ODI
This was a bit easier to pick. I think for consistency, Taibu should bat at 3 in ODI's too. That's where your best batsman plays. I think it is time Williams moved back to number 4. In one-dayers, that is where he performs best. In fact, I think in the domestic games he bats at 3? Chibhabha is good enough to be in the eleven, but there is no room for him in the top order, so he could be moved to 6. Maybe he could bat at 5 and Masakadza at 6, I suppose it depends on the situation. Obviously, Sibanda is back as opener.
1. Vusi Sibanda
2. Brendan Taylor (wk)
3. Tatenda Taibu
4. Sean Williams
5. Hamilton Masakadza
6. Chamu Chibhabha
7. Elton Chigumbura
8. Prosper Utseya (c)
9. Ray Price
10. Gary Brent
11. Chris Mpofu
Reserve spinner: Timycen Maruma
Reserve quick: Tawanda Mupariwa
Reserve batsman: Stuart Matsikenyeri
While we're at it, here's my first XI for the Zimbabwe A side. Some of the players are already in one of the above squads, but I've included them here because they are not "core" players so to speak - ie. they might be in and out of the side on occasion. Friday Kasteni close but needs more domestic experience. If Coventry was around, I'd say he should be in here too, maybe in place of Matsikenyeri.
1. Terrence Duffin (c)
2. Gregory Strydom
3. Regis Chakabva (wk)
4. Ryan Butterworth
5. Stuart Matsikenyeri
6. Keegan Meth
7. Keith Dabengwa
8. Graeme Cremer
9. Prosper Tsvanhu
10. Blessing Mahwire
11. Ed Rainsford
Reserve spinner: Tafazwa Kamungozi
Reserve quick: Taurai Muzarabani
Reserve batsman: Tino Mawoyo
Great topic, I had fun making those lists!
Here are my Test and ODI elevens:
Test
It was very tough to pick this, to be honest. Zimbabwe have such a strong tail, and unbelievable strength in spin bowling (well, as much as you can expect for Zimbabwe). Any of Utseya, Price, Cremer, and Maruma could make the first eleven, but obviously you can't play 4 spinners. Even playing 3 is overkill, but in my lineup, Prosper Utseya is playing as a number four batsman. I don't think this is an unrealistic move, and it opens up a spot for another bowler, as does the presence of allrounder Elton Chigumbura.
I went with Cremer because I think he is the one most likely to perform at Test level. He's played, what, 6 Test's I think? And he did pretty well considering the circumstances. He has developed into a bloody good batsman too. Maruma would have to be very close to making the team, he just seems to have so much potential. Perhaps like Regis Chakabva, he should play in Zimbabwe A matches for a while to build confidence. Over the past few years, Zimbabwe haven't had the luxury of developing players, maybe now is a good time to start doing it again rather than throwing young kids in the deep end. Blessing Mahwire would also be very close to a spot as the 3rd quick, but I think Mpofu should be first choice. Under the playing eleven I've included my "next in lines".
1. Terrence Duffin
2. Brendan Taylor (wk)
3. Tatenda Taibu
4. Prosper Utseya (c)
5. Hamilton Masakadza
6. Sean Williams
7. Elton Chigumbura
8. Graeme Cremer
9. Ray Price
10. Gary Brent
11. Chris Mpofu
Reserve spinner: Timycen Maruma
Reserve quick: Blessing Mahwire
Reserve batsman: Chamu Chibhabha
ODI
This was a bit easier to pick. I think for consistency, Taibu should bat at 3 in ODI's too. That's where your best batsman plays. I think it is time Williams moved back to number 4. In one-dayers, that is where he performs best. In fact, I think in the domestic games he bats at 3? Chibhabha is good enough to be in the eleven, but there is no room for him in the top order, so he could be moved to 6. Maybe he could bat at 5 and Masakadza at 6, I suppose it depends on the situation. Obviously, Sibanda is back as opener.
1. Vusi Sibanda
2. Brendan Taylor (wk)
3. Tatenda Taibu
4. Sean Williams
5. Hamilton Masakadza
6. Chamu Chibhabha
7. Elton Chigumbura
8. Prosper Utseya (c)
9. Ray Price
10. Gary Brent
11. Chris Mpofu
Reserve spinner: Timycen Maruma
Reserve quick: Tawanda Mupariwa
Reserve batsman: Stuart Matsikenyeri
While we're at it, here's my first XI for the Zimbabwe A side. Some of the players are already in one of the above squads, but I've included them here because they are not "core" players so to speak - ie. they might be in and out of the side on occasion. Friday Kasteni close but needs more domestic experience. If Coventry was around, I'd say he should be in here too, maybe in place of Matsikenyeri.
1. Terrence Duffin (c)
2. Gregory Strydom
3. Regis Chakabva (wk)
4. Ryan Butterworth
5. Stuart Matsikenyeri
6. Keegan Meth
7. Keith Dabengwa
8. Graeme Cremer
9. Prosper Tsvanhu
10. Blessing Mahwire
11. Ed Rainsford
Reserve spinner: Tafazwa Kamungozi
Reserve quick: Taurai Muzarabani
Reserve batsman: Tino Mawoyo
Great topic, I had fun making those lists!
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Im sure that coventry has made a rod for his own back by late night drinking in the carribean tour 2006 and in general falling out with the coaches.
Nevertheless he did play in the logan cup and any batsman with a modicum of talent ( lot of talent in this boy's case) should be perservered with. Coventry's beef was with curran who is no longer in set-up
Could ZC coax this wonderfull talent back into the squad? I sure think so. With a strike rate of 94 ZC should be nurturing talent whatever colour and he has too much to merely jettison
Nevertheless he did play in the logan cup and any batsman with a modicum of talent ( lot of talent in this boy's case) should be perservered with. Coventry's beef was with curran who is no longer in set-up
Could ZC coax this wonderfull talent back into the squad? I sure think so. With a strike rate of 94 ZC should be nurturing talent whatever colour and he has too much to merely jettison
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It's good to see where we came from since the overhaul of the side in 2006 (remember that series against Kenya early in the year?)
This was the ODI team then (with the supersub)
P Rinke
T Duffin
H Masakadza
B Taylor
E Chigumbura
C Coventry
K Meth
G Strydom
N Mahwire
P Utseya
A Ireland
E Rainsford
Now:
V Sibanda
B Taylor
C Chibhabha
T Taibu
H Masakadza
S Williams
E Chigumbura
P Utseya
G Brent
R Price
C Mpofu
We have gained Sibanda, Chibhabha, Taibu, Williams, Brent, Price and Mpofu since early 2006!! It was remarkable that we were even able to compete against Kenya with the likes of Meth and Rinke and Duffin making their ODI debuts.
This was the ODI team then (with the supersub)
P Rinke
T Duffin
H Masakadza
B Taylor
E Chigumbura
C Coventry
K Meth
G Strydom
N Mahwire
P Utseya
A Ireland
E Rainsford
Now:
V Sibanda
B Taylor
C Chibhabha
T Taibu
H Masakadza
S Williams
E Chigumbura
P Utseya
G Brent
R Price
C Mpofu
We have gained Sibanda, Chibhabha, Taibu, Williams, Brent, Price and Mpofu since early 2006!! It was remarkable that we were even able to compete against Kenya with the likes of Meth and Rinke and Duffin making their ODI debuts.
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ShareMy first XI
1. Taylor
2. Rinke
3. Strydom
4. Taibu (wk)
5. Williams
6. Strydom
7. Coventry
8. Meth
9. Utseya (c)
10. Payanganara
11. Nicholson
1. Taylor
2. Rinke
3. Strydom
4. Taibu (wk)
5. Williams
6. Strydom
7. Coventry
8. Meth
9. Utseya (c)
10. Payanganara
11. Nicholson
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Sharewell my test team for zim be like this
1- Sibanda
2- MASAKADZA
3- CHIBHAHBA
4-TAYLOR
5- TAIBU
6- WILLIAMS
7- CHIGUMBURA
8- UTSYA
9- PRICE
10- MPOFU
11- RAINSFORD
while,BRENT,MARUMA AND MATSKENRYE CAN BE BAKC UP.
i wil stick with the same team for ODI though brent can be in first 11 for ODIS.
1- Sibanda
2- MASAKADZA
3- CHIBHAHBA
4-TAYLOR
5- TAIBU
6- WILLIAMS
7- CHIGUMBURA
8- UTSYA
9- PRICE
10- MPOFU
11- RAINSFORD
while,BRENT,MARUMA AND MATSKENRYE CAN BE BAKC UP.
i wil stick with the same team for ODI though brent can be in first 11 for ODIS.
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iwantmore wrote:My first XI
1. Taylor
2. Rinke
3. Strydom
4. Taibu (wk)
5. Williams
6. Strydom
7. Coventry
8. Meth
9. Utseya (c)
10. Payanganara
11. Nicholson
I see you really like Strydom 😂
Welcome to the forum!
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ShareHaha thanks boet.
The team I've selected is a bit pro-white, but I just think that that team would probably be Zim's most competitive.
Greg Strydom, this guy has been a colossus in the first-class competition. I can't see why he hasn't been selected. Nicholson tore up a few batting line ups, and I've heard he's got some genuine pace. I've heard great things about Keegan Meth too. Keegan probably has the most hardcore name I've ever heard. haha
The team I've selected is a bit pro-white, but I just think that that team would probably be Zim's most competitive.
Greg Strydom, this guy has been a colossus in the first-class competition. I can't see why he hasn't been selected. Nicholson tore up a few batting line ups, and I've heard he's got some genuine pace. I've heard great things about Keegan Meth too. Keegan probably has the most hardcore name I've ever heard. haha
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ODI Team
1.Taylor
2. Sibanda
3. Williams
4. Taibu
5. Coventry
6. Masakadza
7. Chigumbura
8. Utseya
9. Price
10. Brent
11. Rainsford
Test Team
1. Duffin
2. Taylor
3. Sibanda
4. Taibu
5. Williams
6. Coventry
7. Chigumbura
8. Price
9. Cremer
10. Brent
11. Rainsford
Probably the biggest surprise is the omission of Utseya from the Test side. I am not yet convinced of his effectiveness in the longer formats. Also notice Keith Dabengwa is absent. He would be lucky to make my 3rd XI.
1.Taylor
2. Sibanda
3. Williams
4. Taibu
5. Coventry
6. Masakadza
7. Chigumbura
8. Utseya
9. Price
10. Brent
11. Rainsford
Test Team
1. Duffin
2. Taylor
3. Sibanda
4. Taibu
5. Williams
6. Coventry
7. Chigumbura
8. Price
9. Cremer
10. Brent
11. Rainsford
Probably the biggest surprise is the omission of Utseya from the Test side. I am not yet convinced of his effectiveness in the longer formats. Also notice Keith Dabengwa is absent. He would be lucky to make my 3rd XI.
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
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
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eugene wrote:Probably the biggest surprise is the omission of Utseya from the Test side. I am not yet convinced of his effectiveness in the longer formats.
It's true that historically Utseya's been economic but not good at getting people out - a fairly fatal flaw in Test cricket. But if you look at his figures for the SuperSport Challenge - across the 3 matches, he took 18 wickets at an average of just 16 & a strike rate of 29.1 - his effectiveness is something he's been working on. Means I'd be reluctant to leave him out of a Test side...
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ShareSurprisingly given the selectors' chequered past there does not seem to be a huge amount wrong with the ODI squad so I will focus on a possible test team. The team needs to be able to do three things: Score big runs, take wickets and bowl with control/to a plan. I'm going to list the players capable of each and then select a team accordingly.
Runs: Taylor, Williams, Masakadza, Taibu are the only four with the ability to score big runs at first class level. Maybe Sibanda. With that in mind bowlers who can bat will get preference! Duffin gets a run as specialist opener, but I don't think he has sufficient natural ability to go along with his obviously steely temperament.
Take wickets: Price, Cremer, Rainsford, Chigumbura, Ireland (reckon he will come back from Glocs in a year or two as he is not getting much of a game there and the lure of test cricket may be too great)
Control: Price, Brent, Mahwire, Utseya, Mupariwa
Test Team
Masakadza
Sibanda (possibly Duffin on a green wicket to see off new ball)
Williams
Taibu
Taylor
Chigumbura
Utseya (captain so he gets the nod over Cremer)
Price (has to play over Cremer at present as he brings much needed experience and has a proven record at test level)
Mahwire (slightly quicker than Brent who is just too slow to bowl at test level)
Rainsford
Ireland
Obvious areas where we could do with a couple of teenage prodigies breaking through are technically sound batsmen with the mental capacity to build an innings and a bowler with pace and control. Ireland and Rainsford can both hit 135+ on their day and complement each other well with Ireland's bounce and Rainsford "skid" (is that a word??), but they are both liable to spray it which is where slow but steady Mahwire (or Brent or Mapuriwa) comes in. He's not going to take many wickets but at least he'll offer his captain some control and hopefully some cheap overs in conjunction with Price/Utseya. Ideally there should be another batsman in the team, but what is the point if they are not better than Chigumbura/Utseya?
Runs: Taylor, Williams, Masakadza, Taibu are the only four with the ability to score big runs at first class level. Maybe Sibanda. With that in mind bowlers who can bat will get preference! Duffin gets a run as specialist opener, but I don't think he has sufficient natural ability to go along with his obviously steely temperament.
Take wickets: Price, Cremer, Rainsford, Chigumbura, Ireland (reckon he will come back from Glocs in a year or two as he is not getting much of a game there and the lure of test cricket may be too great)
Control: Price, Brent, Mahwire, Utseya, Mupariwa
Test Team
Masakadza
Sibanda (possibly Duffin on a green wicket to see off new ball)
Williams
Taibu
Taylor
Chigumbura
Utseya (captain so he gets the nod over Cremer)
Price (has to play over Cremer at present as he brings much needed experience and has a proven record at test level)
Mahwire (slightly quicker than Brent who is just too slow to bowl at test level)
Rainsford
Ireland
Obvious areas where we could do with a couple of teenage prodigies breaking through are technically sound batsmen with the mental capacity to build an innings and a bowler with pace and control. Ireland and Rainsford can both hit 135+ on their day and complement each other well with Ireland's bounce and Rainsford "skid" (is that a word??), but they are both liable to spray it which is where slow but steady Mahwire (or Brent or Mapuriwa) comes in. He's not going to take many wickets but at least he'll offer his captain some control and hopefully some cheap overs in conjunction with Price/Utseya. Ideally there should be another batsman in the team, but what is the point if they are not better than Chigumbura/Utseya?
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maehara wrote:
eugene wrote:Probably the biggest surprise is the omission of Utseya from the Test side. I am not yet convinced of his effectiveness in the longer formats.
It's true that historically Utseya's been economic but not good at getting people out - a fairly fatal flaw in Test cricket. But if you look at his figures for the SuperSport Challenge - across the 3 matches, he took 18 wickets at an average of just 16 & a strike rate of 29.1 - his effectiveness is something he's been working on. Means I'd be reluctant to leave him out of a Test side...
True. I think Cremer, Utseya and Price are all equally deserving of a Test spot, and in an ideal world we would find room for all three of them. Being realistic though, Utseya and Price will be the only ones that make the team I'd think.
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ShareI certainly wouldn't be picking Utseya is a test lineup unless it was a raging turner. Two spinners through the middle overs works well as a "strangle" in one day cricket, but with Price playing the genuine spinner's role, I don't think Utseya would have the required penetration to displace, say, Mahwire, from my team.
Surprised to see Sibanda miss so many people's teams. He's certainly not a test opener but I think he could do a better job in the middle order than a few who have been mentioned. I don't really know who I'd axe out of Williams, Taylor, Taibu, and Chibhabha though so it's fair enough leaving him out, I suppose.
Surprised to see Sibanda miss so many people's teams. He's certainly not a test opener but I think he could do a better job in the middle order than a few who have been mentioned. I don't really know who I'd axe out of Williams, Taylor, Taibu, and Chibhabha though so it's fair enough leaving him out, I suppose.
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Sibanda is hard to know where to fit in the side for Tests. I find it hard to look past the opening partnership of Duffin -Taylor. And we seem to have a wealth of middle-order batsmen. I guess he would be good batting at 3 as a third opener.
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
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
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jimbo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:55 pm
If zimbabwe resume tests this year i would pick an alternative side for the ODI squad
Jimbo's Zimbabwe test Squad
1.Duffin
2.Taylor
3.Chibhabha
4.Taibu
5.Williams
6.Mazakadza
7.Chigumbura
8.Brent
9.Utseya
10.mahwire
11.Price
On a seaming wicket i would be tempted to drop price and play rainsford
ODI Squad
1.Sibanda
2.Taylor
3.Cibhabha
4.Taibu
5.Williams
6.Coventry
7.Chigumbura
8.Utseya
9.Brent
10.Price
11.Rainsford
Mpofu is not far from displacing rainsford in my ODI 11 but i think rainsford is marginally the better bowler, Also Sibanda has earnt his place in the ODI line-up nowaday with terrefic form over the past two years. Matsikenyeri and dabengwa would not come close to my 11
2018 squad
PJ Moor
Mire
Hami
Chigumbura
Murray
K with a long name
Waller
Chisoro
Titipano
Mavuta
Magarira
Jarvis
Eddiemuran
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