Ireland series review

[aydee]

Batting and bowling averages:

http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/rec ... ype=series

Elton Chigumbura - 6/10 - Two cool match winning innings, showing his ability as a finisher. Was left too much to do in the final game. However, his bowling is a real worry. On form, he is as good a seamer as Zim have. He has hardly bowled since taking the captaincy, which isn't right. How can Hamilton Masakadza be used as a seamer ahead of him? His bowling is crucial to the balance of the side, as his batting is ideally suited to the number 7 slot. He should have used this series as a chance to try and recover some rhythm, he could hardly have been any more expensive than Nicholson and S.Masakadza were today.

Sean Williams - 7/10 - Good to see him back in Zim colours, and he showed his ability as number 3. His innings 74 was the most fluent contribution of the series by a Zim batsman. However, he loses a point for being dismissed reverse sweeping when well set. The shot triggered the terminal collapse, and was entirely unnecessary given the match situation, he (along with the rest of the order) need to learn to see matches home. He gains a point for his bowling. After being initially selected for Zim as a left arm spinner, his bowling has been much overlooked at national and franchise level. He really should get more bowling for the Tuskers, as he has the potential to be a genuine all rounder in ODI cricket.

Tatenda Taibu - 6/10 - Made a contribution in every game, but failed to convert any of those into match-winning efforts. Is well suited to number 4, as he is probably the best Zim batsman at rotating the strike in the middle overs against spin, a skill which will be crucial in the world cup. Seems to fall too often to soft dismissals, would benefit from taking a little more responsibility, and placing a higher value on his wicket.

Brendan Taylor - 5/10 - One composed innings and two failures. Even when he was scoring runs, failed to show any of the fluency that was on display during the tri-series. He remains the most important member of batting line up. Even got a few overs, in the absence of Lamb, although I would like to see him bowl more at franchise level before he becomes a regular for the national side.

Graeme Cremer - 7/10 - Continues to impress. His economical leggies slowed the Irish down every time he was brought onto bowl. He even (finally) showed a glimpse of the batting talent, which is all too evident for the Rhinos at franchise level, when playing a very composed hand to guide the side home in the 2nd game alongside his skipper.

Craig Ervine - 3/10 - Failed to make a significant contribution in any of the games. However, he appeared to be in reasonable nick, often striking some good boundaries before being dismissed. One poor series doesn't condemn his ability, but it is a step backwards after his promising debut ODI series.

Charles Coventry - 2/10 - Another non-contributor with the bat, he continues to frustrate, particularly with his penchant for amazingly soft dismissals when he looks set to push on.

Ed Rainsford - 8/10 - A triumphant return, comfortably Zim's best seamer. However, all the wickets (several to poor Irish strokeplay) shouldn't conceal a couple of weaknesses, namely a habity of bowling half-volleys with the new ball, and a distinct lack of prowess at the death, which was exposed in game 2 by Kevin O'Brien.

Ian Nicolson - 2/10 - Fast tracked into the side after only a couple of games for the Rhinos, he didn't have a good day. The fact that he was still picked for the SA series suggests that the selectors see something useful in him, however an economy rate of 8.8 is not an encouraging start.

Prosper Utseya - 6/10 - Same old story from Prosper. Very economical, but little threat. Loses a point for his batting. For years he has looked like he should be capable of making useful contributions, and every time he came to the crease in this series, the game was in the balance, and each time, he fluffed his lines...

Hamilton Masakadza - 1/10 - Very early dismissal in every game, although he remains the best option at the top of the order. It seems illogical to me that he prepares for opening at international level by hiding in the middle order for the Mountaineers. Gains a point for some economical medium pace, mainly delivered in the power-play.

Vusi Sibanda - 0/10 - Out first ball in his only innings. Doesn't seem to fit in ODI cricket.

Shinirai Masakadza - 4/10 - 0/10 for his very expensive bowling. Seems to be much too erratic for one day cricket, a better bet in the first class stuff. However, showed a lot of potential (as he has done for the Mountaineers) as a possible future allrounder, with his number 9 batting.

Chris Mpofu - 6/10 - The stop/start nature of his international career continued. Excellent in game 1, average in game 2, dropped for game 3 (although presumably only to give opportunities to Masakadza and Nicolson).

[eugene]

These are pretty fair ratings I believe. I am really perplexed by Coventry. He always seems to be in good form and then he gets out stupidly. He really does need to face more than a couple of overs to become a useful player. It was great to see Sean Williams back in the side this series, we really need him now that it seems Taylor is out of the picture for the South Africa series.

[sloandog]

A very impressive review mate. I like the inclusion of Ian Nicholson for the South African Series. Although he may have ad a poor debut, he has the potential to bowl genuinly quick, and i have no doupt it was Heath Streak who called for his inclusion. A good move, but perhaps a costly one for the final ODI

[CrimsonAvenger]

Excellent review aydee, keep them coming...

Surely the spotlight would be on Craig Ervine to come good in the SA series and show that he is not a one series wonder. And we badly need good starts from Hamilton. This series just showed how dependent we are on his batting at the top. And Taibu needs ask himself why he hasn't been able to establish himself as one of the world cricket superstars after all these years. It is extremely disappointing to see him find new ways to get out.