Upcoming Domestic season

[hhm]

Dabengwa?! I don't think he is of Tuskers standard. He should be playing at a level no higher than social lunchtime cricket.

Come on eugene, is that how we repay players who've stuck with us throughout? Why do you guys have such a penchant for peddling fairytales! Let's use substantial facts to talk down these guys. Dabengwa is more than decent. Just because he's not good enough for the national team, doesn't mean he belongs in the garbage dump when measured in FC terms. He's consistently outperformed Regis & Tino, but look where those two hopeless fellows are now. Give the guy a break.

Can't wait to see you dig your heels in when Matsi features at the top of the batting charts and is recalled to the national side. Look at Ash, Rampaul, and briefly Hinds recently! Not that what I'm saying will happen, but at least younger better guys can develop around them. The Dabengwas, Matsis, Hondos & Mawhires are crucial to our development. After all, it doesn't look like the majority of this up&coming crop will set the world alight any more than they did. To be quite honest, I'm a little bit concerned about our future 6 years from now. Most of our top batsman now, showed signs of quality at round about the ages of these younger guys next in line, yet they show few signs of enduring quality. Six years is a long time so we can address that if the political climate allows.

Which team do you support? Can't tell from your profile.

[sloandog]

The day Matskinyeri returns to the national side will be the day i commit! No way is he good enough. Sure, at FC level he can do a 'decent' job, but not at the national stage pal

[eugene]

Dabengwa?! I don't think he is of Tuskers standard. He should be playing at a level no higher than social lunchtime cricket.

Come on eugene, is that how we repay players who've stuck with us throughout? Why do you guys have such a penchant for peddling fairytales! Let's use substantial facts to talk down these guys. Dabengwa is more than decent. Just because he's not good enough for the national team, doesn't mean he belongs in the garbage dump when measured in FC terms. He's consistently outperformed Regis & Tino, but look where those two hopeless fellows are now. Give the guy a break.

Can't wait to see you dig your heels in when Matsi features at the top of the batting charts and is recalled to the national side. Look at Ash, Rampaul, and briefly Hinds recently! Not that what I'm saying will happen, but at least younger better guys can develop around them. The Dabengwas, Matsis, Hondos & Mawhires are crucial to our development. After all, it doesn't look like the majority of this up&coming crop will set the world alight any more than they did. To be quite honest, I'm a little bit concerned about our future 6 years from now. Most of our top batsman now, showed signs of quality at round about the ages of these younger guys next in line, yet they show few signs of enduring quality. Six years is a long time so we can address that if the political climate allows.

Which team do you support? Can't tell from your profile.

I support Tuskers, which is exactly why I don't want him in the team.

I agree with you about being concerned about our future. Our age-group sides such as Under 19, Under 17 etc are rountinely beaten with ease by other countries these days. When you think back a few years our Under-19 sides often performed well at World Cup's, particularly the Taylor, Williams, Chigumbura, Panyangara generation. None of those players have gone on to be dominant in international cricket, except perhaps Taylor - I say perhaps. When you look at our current youth sides none of the players seem to possess as much talent as that group so I can only imagine how out of their depth they will be in international cricket. I know many players don't peak till later in their career and you only need one or two to come through the system every couple of years but it is still a concern.

I think we are seeing the result of the increase in the white diaspora, particularly of young people; the loss of many great coaches and administrators; and the disappearance of well maintained cricket facilities and equipment that is vital to a players upbringing.

[ZIMDOGGY]

Eugene I asked a person who lives in zim what's doing with the white diaspora and her reaction was " mire coming back than ever !!" although she's normally optimistic. This is good in cricketing terms as these would include some coaches fr the 80s and 90s I assume.
That's why I liked the makeup of the 15 and 17 teams being marble in it's makeup as it shows there's whites coming back to the country ( the kids are the first to be shipped off in tough times) but still enough darkies to show that real progress is being made in connecting cricket to the greater masses.

[eugene]

Great to here that the diaspora is returning somewhat. I have heard of many white South Africans returning also.

[canvas]

Of all our competition, I fear Mountaineers have enough quality to challenge us: hamilton, chatara, maruma, shingi, mawoyo, mushangwe, panyangara & utseya. Their bowling resources look to be the most impressive. But then again their team has a bias towards the bowling department, which will be their undoing. As was the case last season, national duty means their player depth will give them the edge while other teams run short on quality.

At full strength, and with the right inclusions, I think we've got the firepower to retain our title. Other teams aren't blessed with the balance and experience that we have. As a result I reckon we should start off as favorites. What say you fellow Tuskers? No doubt our foes will differ.

With the number of contracts being reduced to 10 per franchise it is going to be harder for the average player to get a contract. I believe that most franchises are concentrating on fitness this year and players that don't pass fitness tests are not going to get contracts. That means the likes of Hondo and Prince with have to get into shape or forget about Franchise cricket.

Panyangara has been booted by Mountaineers so is having to look elsewhere. It is said that Gary Brent is trying to get Calum Price to join the Mountaineers as a rookie.

It is also said that Eagles are trying to get Pete Rinke as their 2nd team coach.

It is rumoured that several players could be leaving the Rocks and their long term future looks a bit shaky. Some people believe with the top players on National duty that five franchise will weaken the pool of the remaining players which will not be good for Zim Cricket

[hhm]

With the number of contracts being reduced to 10 per franchise it is going to be harder for the average player to get a contract. I believe that most franchises are concentrating on fitness this year and players that don't pass fitness tests are not going to get contracts...Panyangara has been booted by Mountaineers so is having to look elsewhere. It is said that Gary Brent is trying to get Calum Price to join the Mountaineers as a rookie...It is also said that Eagles are trying to get Pete Rinke as their 2nd team coach...It is rumoured that several players could be leaving the Rocks and their long term future looks a bit shaky.

Are you based in Harare Canvas? Where do you guys get this info! All the same, it's very interesting! Money factors seem to be to be affecting a lot behind the scenes. Perhaps our fear of politically motivated changes is far-fetched when you take into consideration that it'll turn out to be just a tip of the iceberg. It seems a lot of our impending implosion is actually self-motivated, by Ozias, AC, etc of course. Keep us informed. I think we should watch this space. I'm starting to get uneasy.

Some people believe with the top players on National duty that five franchise will weaken the pool of the remaining players which will not be good for Zim Cricket.

That's a given. Contrary to the rationale behind that, in the short term that's to be expected. In order to fulfill the long-term goal to turn the game into an attractive profession, broaden the reach of cricket in Zim and increase the quality of our player base, we should bear with such things. I believe the greater goal makes this acceptable. After all, if a nation's entire sporting structure cannot anticipate and survive the absence of for instance 15 top players at a time, then we shouldn't be a Full member.

[Boundary]

After all, if a nation's entire sporting structure cannot anticipate and survive the absence of for instance 15 top players at a time, then we shouldn't be a Full member.

No truer words have been written

[zimfan1]

Richmond Mutumbami has left the Rocks to join the mountaineers.

Sean WIlliams has resigned for the Tuskers

Stephen Mariller has signed for the Rhinos

Raza Butt is waiting to here from the rocks about his future.

[zimfan1]

Is Richmond going to get any matches at Mutare? He hasn't done tat well and Rocks are pretty weak.

Think the Rocks are in trouble. but this may mean that lots of young players get a chance in there side which isnt a bad thing