Wicket keepers

[herb]

Heard a report on radio a few weeks ago saying Taylor had been named the wk for odi and t20 but not Tests. Couldnt find the story anywhere else. Can anyone confirm?

[Jemisi]

That would be a reasonable call if true. Allows him to be the allrounder we have needed so we can play an extra bowler or batsman.

[Boundary]

Vermeulen has thrown his name into the ring, offering to help Taylor go down the order and keep wicket:
http://dailynews.co.zw/index.php/sport/ ... eulen.html

Controversial former Zimbabwe top-order batsman Mark Vermeulen believes he is ideally poised to fill the void created by the retirement of national side wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu.

Taibu sensationally quit all forms of cricket at the age of 29 last month to concentrate on his gospel mission.

And now, 33-year-old Vermeulen – who spends most of his time these days playing amateur golf and club cricket – has eyed a recall to the national side for yet another spell with the team.

He last played for Zimbabwe against South Africa in an ODI in 2009, having successfully fought his way back into the national set-up after being let off in a widely-publicised court case, where he was being charged with arson.

The aggressive top-order batsman, who has played eight Tests and 43 ODIs for Zimbabwe, has never been capped at Twenty20 level by his country.

The former Prince Edward School star has particularly targeted a place in Zimbabwe’s T20 and Test squad.

“I’m hoping to have a chat with Alan Butcher, the (Zimbabwe) coach, to see if I can start joining the Zimbabwe squad. I mainly want to play the T20 and Test formats,” Vermeulen told the Daily News yesterday.

“Right now, with the retirement of Tatenda Taibu, ZC are obviously looking for another top order batsman, hopefully if I can keep working work hard and continue to put more runs on the board. I can fill Taibu’s boots and relieve pressure off Brendan Taylor, who now will have to bat in the middle order, keep wicket and stuff like that.”

On Sunday, Vermeulen starred with an unbeaten 71 runs to help Old Malvernians lift the Chimurenga T20 Winter League title in their maiden season, earning praise from national team assistant coach Stephen Mangongo.

OMs beat Takashinga 1 by seven wickets in the final played at Takashinga Sports Club.

[eugene]

The problem is, I think Taylor is much more useful higher up the order as opposed to coming in at 6 or 7. By the time Taylor gets in, the match will be over if he is batting that low.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Well, Vermeulen has kept wickets before too

On a serious note, could Ryan Butterworth think of a huge opportunity here and make a comeback to local cricket with the keeper role in mind in all 3 formats?

[foreignfield]

Craig must keep, period!

And Matsi!

Maybe they should keep at one end each.

Also, Rainsford and Panyangara come to mind.

[ZIMDOGGY]

i love how you all just throw batsmans names up for the job like its the easiest thing in the world,

vermeulen,coventry, butters,

whos next?

williams? lamb? trevor garwe?

[CrimsonAvenger]

Well, Vermeulen was obviously a joke. But he had done this job before. But in case of Butterworth and Mawoyo, they have done it before for long periods for their teams. So, I feel Butterworth can seriously consider it as an opportunity to break into the side

[eugene]

Of course, Alester Maregwede is still out there.

[Jemisi]

I know lots of the suggestions are jokes, but Mutizwa and Chakabva are the only serious options to begin with aside from putting the extra job onto Taylor. Mutizwa's FC record is superior to all of these other choices. Taibu does leave a hole, but we don't need to fill it with random reject options.