clikcspeed wrote:Bowling wise, he hasn't taken many wickets - (there was even an article about this on Cricinfo) but he's success is in the ability to suffocate runs particularly in the middle overs.
Inability to take wickets has always been Prosper's weak point, although as you say he can still choke the runs and in a one-dayer that's more than good enough.
In Tests, though, you need to take wickets, and that may be where Prosper has a harder time justifying his place. I don't doubt that he'll be selected come time to play Bangladesh next year, but it'll be interesting to see how he does.
The thing with Utsea is that he knows what he's doing (A lot like Price).
Playing the game now, he's vastly experienced and he's learnt a few tricks over the years i.e varying his pace, his line his length, but has always struggled in terms of spinning the ball. I must say i called for his axing a year or so ago, but not seeing him in the side now would be a backward step since he and Ray Price are the backbone to our bowling attack.
And i would certainly class his as an allrounder ! His batting has come on leaps and bounds, and even when he's just defending his bat makes a sweet, crunching sound.
ZIMDOGGY wrote:he is a bowler, as long as he is bowling well (which he did last game) then he can go into the crease relaxing that if he fails he isnt failing the team because its not what he is picked for. The same with blignaut and a few others over the years.
Good point. But in any case, his performances with the bat have been pretty impressive of late. More responsibility, in terms of promotion in the order, is very much expected.
Flower power wrote:Prosper was a batsman when he started his first class career .
If thats a fact then I give Prosper even more respect and our players should have his attitude. That means he came into 1st class as a batsmen then realised he couldnt cut it as a batsmen, focused on his bowling excelled in it became the captain of the national team, axed from the captaincy no sweat no pressure now he is averaging better than our best batsmen! Did some one say book deal! Respek!
I reckon it's been underplayed just how hard it must of been for Utseya as captain. Think about it.
Young man trying to make his way in international cricket as a young spin bowler in a young struggling team. Not easy.
Captain of a young struggling team. Hard.
Captain of a young struggling team with precious few resources, underwhelming coach/s (Kevin Curran), few well credentialed specalist coaches. Real freaking hard.
Captain of a young struggling team with very few established experienced cricketers to turn to for advice, guidence etc. Incredibly difficult.
For him to keep working and turn it around after numerous critisisms and defeats shows impressive resilience,
mental strength and adaptability, three virtues which will serve him well in the future.
Last edited by The Saint on Thu Dec 16, 2010 12:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The Saint wrote:I reckon it's been underplayed just how hard it must of been for Utseya as captain. Think about it.
Young man trying to make his way in international cricket as a young spin bowler in a young struggling team. Not easy.
Captain of a young struggling team. Hard.
Captain of a young struggling team with precious few resources underwhelming coach/s (Kevin Curran), few well credentialed specalist coaches. Real freaking hard.
Captain of a young struggling team with very few established experienced cricketers to turn to for advice, guidence etc. Incredibly difficult.
For him to keep working and turn it around after numerous critisisms and defeats shows impressive resilience,
mental strength and adaptability, three virtues which will serve him well in the future.
yeh very good point mate . hes a gutty little guy with a massive heart thats what i love about him, he is proving all his doubters wrong including me and now is one of our most impportant players
Most of the calls for his axing were when he was captain. Now there are many calls for Chigumbura to be axed. The captaincy seems to be a poisoned chalice.
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
