Sri Lanka selection thread.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

7th question: Which players you would like to include in the squad who were not in the squad of Bangladesh and Kenya tour?Give reasons for that.

C. Chibhabha, R. Chakabva, B. Mujuru.

Robertson Chinyengetere has been outstanding in club cricket this season, he's averaging 99.00 for Uprising courtesy mainly of a few medium not-out scores - but from the scores I've received only Mark Mabuza (86*) has made a bigger score than Chinyengetere's 75* and Malcolm Wallers 68. But he needs to have a big year in the Logan Cup I feel to get a look in. Takarusenga as well, he has been outstanding for Bulawayo Athletic Club - he's the only player in recent memory that has been getting big scores regularly, but hasn't had enough chances to impress for Westerns. Both players are just a couple of matches away from being permanent fixtures in the A team I think.

Mujuru has already impressed at A team level (averaging ~30 in one day matches) and might be more prepared to take the next step. Chibhabha obviously needs to be brought back, he was unlucky to be dropped ahead of Matsikenyeri in the first place. And Chakabva is needed for batting depth, and in all likelihood as a backup wicket keeper.

Now to my question: I have been professing for having "Professor Dots" at no 4. What is your take on that? What should be Utseya's batting position?

I really like the idea, ever since his First Class century I have thought moving Utseya up the order would be a good idea. Since then he has shown some good form with the bat in ODI's as well, which is good for the team. The only problem I have with it is the amount of pressure it would put on Utseya, is being expected to concede under 4 an over, bat at #4 and then captain the team too much pressure to put on him?

If he feels up to the task though, by all means he should give it a crack. Technically he seems to be fine, and as long as he is able to hang around for a few overs to get settled, he does tend to make a start. What he seems to understand more than other batsmen is that partnerships are important, he has been involved in a few important ones recently.

It will be very tough to bat at #4 against Sri Lanka, they have a very strong spin department so it is one of those "make or break" situations. If he can get around 25 and be involved in a 50+ run partnership, I think that would be an acceptable outcome. Obviously you want your top order to be capable of making big scores, but at the moment maybe Utseya would be more of a glue to hold the lineup together (ie. to ensure that the Zimbabwe Collapse™ doesn't happen) so a moderate score in the 20's and 30's would be fine.


9th question: Where should our two biggest hitters Mutizwa and Chigumbura bat? How would this affect powerplays?

[Detective RDS]

Now to my question(8th question): I have been professing for having "Professor Dots" at no 4. What is your take on that? What should be Utseya's batting position?

I am sorry guys I don't think it's a great idea to let Utseya bat at no 4.I can explain that.A balanced team always needs at least 4 established batsmen at the top of the order,it can be up to 5 batsmen.Then there are spots for allrounders,wicket keeper and bolwers.

Utseya isn't a kind of batsman to bat at no 4.The top 4 batsmen have to capable of making big scores.Though Utseya recently made some good scores but he never bat at 4 in the international level.Pressaure is a concern also for being captain and batting ahead of a world class bowling attack.

The batting technique of Utseya is ok.But I think a bit slow.He can score runs by dealing singles and stick the scoreboard without taking risks.

I think Utseya should bat at no 7 if Zimbabwe doesn't take 3 pacers(Dropping Mupariwa)
or Utseya should bat at no 6 if Zimbabwe takes 3 pacers(Rainsford,Mupariwa,Chigumbura).

9th question: Where should our two biggest hitters Mutizwa and Chigumbura bat? How would this affect powerplays?

It's a very good question,brmtaylor.com admin.

Before replaying I had a look at the final 11 of Zimbabwe in all 5 matches against Kenya.Chigumbura is really a big hitter.I think,Chigumbura is a player who builds the innings first and then starts to attack the bowlers.So,he should come before Mutizwa.

Chigumbura should bat at no 6.In the Kenyan series,Chigumbura was very aggressive at no 6 and he has bat most of his innings at no 6.If he can bat for a sufficient period of time and if his score is around 30 during the 3rd powerplay,he can certainly make the scores bigger and increase the run rate of the team in that period.

South Africa has used Albie Morkel successfully at no 8 against Australia in the 3rd powerplay.I think,Zimbabwe can use Forster Mutizwa like that.Mutizwa should bat at no 8 during the 3rd powerplay for his powerful hitting.

In the Kenyan series,I think in the 3rd,4th and 5th ODI Chigumbura,Utseya and Mutizwa bat respectively at no 6,7 and 8.I think,they should stick with it.

Again the batting order can be changed if Zimbabwe wants to take 3 pacers(Rainsford,Mupariwa,Chigumbura) in the team.Then,the batting position of Chigumbura will be at no 5 and Mutizwa at no 7.

10 th question: What do you think Malcolm Waller should make the squad?If he is in the final eleven where should he bat?

[brmtaylor.com admin]

10 th question: What do you think Malcolm Waller should make the squad?If he is in the final eleven where should he bat?

Good question. He has shown promise against Kenya and Bangladesh (which is a good place to start your international career) but I think he would be better off spending time in India for the Deodhar Trophy, where he can hone his skills against good quality opposition and also make use of the cricket academy which I think the Zimbabweans are allowed to use. After this he will be better prepared to play India or New Zealand, or whoever we are scheduled against next.


11th question: What about Mark Vermeulen? Should he go to Sri Lanka? Or go to India for the Deodhar Trophy? Or does he need to play Logan Cup cricket before being considered for any international or 'a' team matches?

[zimdan]

He Certainly shouldnt go to Sri Lanka. We dont even know if he is anywhere near the quality he was in 2004.

Now lets not jump to conclusions, but lets say he's fit and looking to play then i'd expect to see him playing for the side going to India. His results there will go a long way to determining his standing in terms of his playing ability.

Q12. Can Zimbabwe regain 9th position on the ICC ODI ladder by the end of year 2009?

[maehara]

Q12. Can Zimbabwe regain 9th position on the ICC ODI ladder by the end of year 2009?

It's possible, but unlikely. Assuming Bangladesh stay more-or-less where they are (46pts), then we need to score another 23pts over the year. Figure 1pt per win against Kenya or Ireland, should we play them again, 2pts for a win against Bangladesh, 4-5pts for a win against other Full Members, depending on their rankings at the time... it's a lot of wins to score. The only hope is a good run of wins against Bangladesh (we have 2 FTP tours against them later in the year), as that would bring their rating down at the same time as ours was rising - but we'd still need a minimum of 5-6 wins against them. Possible on paper, but I don't think we're quite that good yet.

Q13: With ZC meeting to consider the coach position shortly, has Walter Chawaguta done enough in Bangladesh and Kenya to keep his job for the Sri Lanka tour?

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Q13: With ZC meeting to consider the coach position shortly, has Walter Chawaguta done enough in Bangladesh and Kenya to keep his job for the Sri Lanka tour?

Yes. I think he has done enough to keep his job for the Sri Lanka tour. Although beyond that it would be good if ZC were able to source a coach from the subcontinent, it would be good to have someone with First Class (or even better, Tests) experience. But if the team do really well in Sri Lanka (a win or two, some really competitive matches) then maybe there is an argument that he is learning on the job and could be retained for a bit longer.

Q14: Who is better to use in situations where part time bowling is needed (assuming Dabengwa is not in the team): Masakadza, Williams, Waller, etc?

[CrimsonAvenger]

Q14: Who is better to use in situations where part time bowling is needed (assuming Dabengwa is not in the team): Masakadza, Williams, Waller, etc?

If we are in a position to look for part time options despite having Rainsford, Mupariwa, Chigumbura, Utseya, Cremer and Price, then we would be in a serious position in the match for sure. but we would have decent options too.

Seam up: For me, Masakadza gets the nod ahead Chibhabha. Just because Masakadza has been doing it regularly these days, and Chibhabha would be making a comeback. You wouldn't want to dent his confidence by letting him concede runs.

Spin: Williams, Matsikenyeri (well, he will be there anyway) and Waller, in that order. Williams has been severely underbowled throughout his career, and he is losing his bowling skills a bit. This is the right time to let him hone his skills again. Matsikenyeri is ahead of Waller, just because Waller is yet to bowl at ODI level, and as a leggie, he himself might go for a few.

Out of all the options, Masakadza would be my first choice.

Q15. Are we left with any more questions?

[brmtaylor.com admin]

I think we have asked every question now

Let's see if we can now come to a collectively agreed upon squad based upon the information in this thread. (should we say 15 players? that's what it has been recently for overseas tours)

From the earlier posts, it looked like most people seemed happy with Masakadza/Matsikenyeri opening and Mupariwa/Rainsford taking the new ball.

The next person can add in a couple more players from the information in the previous posts, and then next person can add a few more, and so on

ZCF Selected Squad

1. H. Masakadza
2. S. Matsikenyeri
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. T. Mupariwa
11. E. Rainsford

12.
13.
14.
15.

[CrimsonAvenger]

ZCF Selected Squad

1. H. Masakadza
2. S. Matsikenyeri
3. S. Williams
4.
5.
6. E. Chigumbura
7.
8.
9.
10. T. Mupariwa
11. E. Rainsford

12.
13.
14.
15. C. Mpofu

[Sir Mupariwa]

ZCF Selected Squad

1. H. Masakadza
2. S. Matsikenyeri
3. S. Williams
4.
5.
6. E. Chigumbura
7.
8. Utseya
9. Price
10. T. Mupariwa
11. E. Rainsford

12.
13.
14.
15. C. Mpofu