[DRAFT 1] Kriterion_BD, eugene, CrimsonAvenger, jaybro

[CrimsonAvenger]

Murphy probably turned the ball more than any leg spinner to have played for Zimbabwe, but he bowled so many full tosses and long hops.

Yup, that's true. He spun it a long way, but was slow and could be picked. And on other occasions, was too full.

[CrimsonAvenger]

I actually flirted with the idea of picking Everton Matambanadzo as a wildcard selection; he had some decent pace and a good average with the ball, but his career was way too short

Like Matambanadzo, I also explored the option of another guy with a very short career as my last pick - Gary Crocker. Had decent numbers and was a left arm pacer too. But he did not even play enough domestically to warrant inclusion. His story regarding our inaugural test is amazing though, and he also had a dream ODI debut.

[jaybro]

Like Matambanadzo, I also explored the option of another guy with a very short career as my last pick - Gary Crocker. Had decent numbers and was a left arm pacer too. But he did not even play enough domestically to warrant inclusion. His story regarding our inaugural test is amazing though, and he also had a dream ODI debut.

Yes he looked over him as well; I also wanted to bring in a left arm seamer, Bryan Strang obviously the standout but a very modest career numbers wise.

David Brain & Ngarava weren’t that impressive, I did contemplate Brian Vitori but his issues with his action plus again his numbers weren’t that great.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

If Kriterion_BD, eugene, CrimsonAvenger, jaybro can post their final XI's in order plus short summation of their team (which I will include below each XI), I'll set up the poll so we can all vote.

[andrewn9]

I've really enjoyed following the draft but I am surprised no one went for Andy Waller, a veteran of 3 World Cups. Granted, he only averaged about 23 but between '87 and '97 he was playing the top nations and didn't get the chance to inflate his numbers against the likes of Namibia or Bermuda. To my mind he would have been a better pick than the likes of Wishart, Sibanda, Moor or Burl (probably Mire and Vermeulen too).

[andrewn9]

I also think Anthony Ireland probably deserved a spot somewhere. He had impressive odi figures and was deemed good enough to play county cricket for a number of years.

[ZIMDOGGY]

I'm surprised Ireland didn't het a look in but I'm even more surprised no one mentioned possibly one of the top 3 best spinners Zimbabwe produced,
Adam 'the Pork Knuckle' Huckle.

[ZIMDOGGY]

Arguably one of the best spinners Zimbabwe has ever produced is still up for grabs; even if his international stats from a small sample base are not great.

Amongst the seamers Jarvis at #17 seems a bit high up the order, given that he's predominantly a red-ball bowler. I would have expected him in Chatara's territory, who I personally rate a tad higher in ODI cricket.

Yes KJ went very high; another player I didn’t really ever think about picking. If this were a Test XI then yes 2nd seamer picked; but in ODI cricket he really has disappointed, his European tour last year was pretty average.

Agree with both of you. There were probably only two people I did not want to consider at all for my XI, one was Jarvis, and the other was Carlisle. I had Chatara and Rainsford in mind in the event that Rawson isn't available, but Chatara was gone before him and I could get Rawson. In fact, my bowling line up is exactly how I wanted it, with any one of Strang and Price, but only KC missing. Pretty lucky to get that.

Carlisle is probably one of the most famous Zimbabwean cricketers (apart from the Flowers and Streak) in Australia.

He was very highly regarded by the commentators, scored a few centuries in adverse conditions against hostile bowling and even had opinion pieces in Aussie newspapers written by him.
He was the first person I had ever witnessed do a cut shot for 6, can't remember if it was '99 or '01, but I remember how effortless it was and at the time as a little kid I had always assumed he was that generic world class bland batsmen type, kind of like a Huatin Langer or Mike Atherton. One of those guys who didn't do flash or brilliant things (cut shot aside) but just assumed they were one of the best in the world.

It's clear at my age and my Zim knowledge that he wasnt world class (I promise People still would think he was) but there was something about his ability on Aussie pitches he didn't replicate elsewhere.
He was also offered a few domestic Sheffield shield contracts from memory, WA and QLD, but turned them down due to family or some shit.

Whole thing is fascinating to me.

[foreignfield]

I'm surprised Ireland didn't het a look in but I'm even more surprised no one mentioned possibly one of the top 3 best spinners Zimbabwe produced,
Adam 'the Pork Knuckle' Huckle.

A Bradmanesque ODI bowling average of 94.42 wouldn't have helped, although these figures don't do him justice.

[eugene]

Team Eugene:
1. Vusi Sibanda
2. Mark Vermeulen
3. Murray Goodwin
4. Andy Flower
5. Tatenda Taibu (w)
6. Duncan Fletcher (c)
7. Dougie Marillier
8. Andy Blignaut
9. Paul Strang
10. Ed Rainsford
11. Tendai Chatara

A talented opening pair of the stylish Sibanda and fiery Vermeulen. Goodwin and Flower are the best 3 and 4 Zimbabwe could ever field. Taibu is our best ever keeper. Fletcher one of our best allrounders. Marillier invented the scoop. Blignaut made things happen with both bat and ball. Strang is our best-ever spin bowler. Rainsford and Chatara are statistically two of the best ODI bowlers we have ever produced.

I have five frontline bowlers with Marillier, Sibanda, and even Taibu and Vermeulen in reserve. Flower of course being available to keep.