what would be your zimbabwe 11 atm ,no holds barred?

[sloandog]

I am glad to see others mentioning Barney Rogers. In thought I was the only one who rated him. He was player of the series against Bangladesh at one point.

Averaged 31 with the bat too in ODI cricket. I too thought his departure was a great loss, and when i heard he'd disappeared again...well i felt let down to say the least.

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

Anyway, my picks:

Duffin, Vermeulen, Vusi, Taylor, Hami, Ewing, Taibu(wk), Blignaut, Price, Rainsford, Mpofu.

No bashing intended but where is legend Matsi?

[andrewn9]

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

Openers: Gobby - Campbell

Middle order: N Johnson, King Flower, D Houghton

All rounders: K Curran, H Streak, A Blignaut, P Strang

Last 2: E Brandes- J Traicos

[hhm]

No bashing intended but where is legend Matsi?

Good of you to pick that out because it highlights why I say I'm balanced. I opted for Ewing, who has an inferior international record, ahead of him(as well as Blignaut ahead of Elton). Matsi is a weaker leader than Ewing, and lacks the kind of maturity plus stability and consistency Ewing provides with both bat and ball to any team!

As in your case, Matsi hasn't earned the right to be higher up in my pecking order, but he retains the ability eclipse them all. Just look at what a 29yr old Rob Nicol coming into the team is doing with both bat&ball. Two yrs from now when he's really settled into international cricket, I can only imagine how much better he will be. The same is true of a returning Hafeez, and Rampaul is showing how much he's developed. Don't bother looking far, Vusi is just a stone throw away!

I know it will be hard for many guys here but when BRM&maehara compile voting for player of the series in our future matches, a lot of you here won't believe they are even voting for Matsi - but it WILL happen. When he gets into the groove he's unbelievable. Plenty shots of a variety, boundaries with fielders diving all over the show, so much power for a little man, and top notch fielding, and quick handy offspin. In my view the fastest ever bat speed & crease movement in the history of Zimabwe batsmen to date! (part of the reason why I feel he struggled initially in NZ is I saw less footwork/trigger movement from him - possibly due to Grant trying to guide him against what he possibly views as a mannersim of his instead)

"Matsikenyeri reached a debut half-century in fine style, driving Hinds over long-off for six, and then cutting his next ball to the boundary" - J Ward
20 yr old, debut Test match mind you. The boy is even deadlier and classier now, than he was then!

[Jemisi]

Just so I can understand your ballpark, is Taylor better than Matsi, Hhm?

[hhm]

Just so I can understand your ballpark, is Taylor better than Matsi, Hhm?

More talented? By a country mile!
Better? Are you on some kind of substance!

Think of it more like Mark - Steve Waugh; Laxman/Ganguly/Azharudin - Tendulkar; Gibbs - Kallis; Younis Khan - Yousuf Youhanna(I still call him that - maybe too tight to call between these two); Grant - Andy! Yes, I belive the young Grant or should I say 75% of their career was a more talented batsman!

[betterdays]

In the spirit of the thread I think this team would do well ...

Sibanda
Ballance
Hami
Taylor (c)
Goodwin
S Ervine
Taibu (wk)
Cremer/Chigumbura at 8 or 12th man depending on conditions.
Price
Jarvis
Mpofu

Squad bowler - Shingi
Squad batsman - C Ervine
Squad keeper - Mutizwa

... but I think we've seen what S Ervine has to offer and the last couple of years has shown him to be neither great at bowling or batting even at county (or Zim Franchise) level, i'd probably replace him with Ewing or maybe even persist with Mutzwa, Chaks, CE or possibly Waller especially with all the other batting around them. I would also like to see Rainsford slotting in - i think i'd give Jarvis a little more of a look but that'd be the spot for Ed

[hhm]

....maybe even persist with Mutzwa, Chaks, CE or possibly Waller especially with all the other batting around them. I would also like to see Rainsford slotting in - i think i'd give Jarvis a little more of a look but that'd be the spot for Ed

So you do 'admit' that they are severely lacking in their own right, and so passengers then! e.g. Raina, Morgan, Boucher, Samuels etc.....

No questions from me about the last suggestion!

[betterdays]

....maybe even persist with Mutzwa, Chaks, CE or possibly Waller especially with all the other batting around them. I would also like to see Rainsford slotting in - i think i'd give Jarvis a little more of a look but that'd be the spot for Ed

So you do 'admit' that they are severely lacking in their own right, and so passengers then! e.g. Raina, Morgan, Boucher, Samuels etc.....

Raina and Morgan (if he had more potential) are close-ish comparisons - they are 'the-next-phase-in-waiting', allowed to grow into thier role with the help of ththose who can already do it ... such as it should be! Not severely lacking (but lacking) and not passengers (but apprentices - and everything that implies).