Good post Aydee.
I stand by one thing I've always said- if a batsman was not a stand out schoolboy with at least 15-20 centuries under his belt in a pretty good system by the time he's u19, the odds of that kid becoming a competent international batsman are almost zero. Even by the age of about 14/15 youve almost got what youve got and the rest is a bit of polishing.
Then of course you have to find a kid that doesnt buckle under real pressure. That sidelines at least 90% of those good kids. Again how you teach that has yet to be discovered. That fight or flight response is encoded.
You can spend all the resources you like on average kids and at the end of it you won't have achieved anything other than having spent a shit load of money and have bang average adults. There are exceptions, I just can't think of any, no matter how hard I try.
In all honesty... the base point around focussing development opportunities on those who want to be professional cricketers is a good one; or more pertinently not "wasting" resource on anyone who has already decided that they will prioritise other avenues ahead of their cricket career. IF that is even the case.
Sadly, the sort of call no other full member nation has to make. Goes without saying that anyone capable of playing international U19 cricket is prioritising a cricket career! That isn't the case in Zim, which is incredibly sad and detrimental to the game at senior level.
As ever with ZC, the silence, and lack of explanation, is unprofessional and makes their decision making look worse as there is no view of the rationale behind it.
Those boys who have been in India, for example. In a lot of ways, this is a development initiative they should be shouting about. Look at the opportunities we are providing for some of the best boys in our system to improve! There should be transparency around what that programme is, how the individuals were selected and the costs. There isn't. Therefore it comes across as shady, and another reason for some people to stick the boot in.
Some of that is because of the numbers. Every other major nation is drawing upon hundreds of clubs. In Zim, they draw from 6 or so schools. The pattern is always 3/4 decent kids and the rest is bumfluff.
The rare times they win is because of the Bennett brothers both scoring, or Burl whacking a century against India or some individual brilliance from kids that somewhat kick on.
This was the 2020 squad that won a few games: Dion Myers (c)
Wesley Madhevere (vc) Emmanuel Bawa
Privilege Chesa
Gareth Chirawu
Ahomed Rameez Ebrahim
Dylan Grant Tadiwanashe Marumani
Sukhemuzi Ndlela
Tadiwanashe Nyangani
Luke Oldknow
Samuel Ruwisi Dane Schadendorf
Milton Shumba
Taurayi Tugwete
I think the average poster here will know the bolded names but who the F are the rest? Some players even batted at 9/10 without bowling.
Cricinfo profile of the 'James Bond' of cricket:
FULL NAME: Angus James Mackay
BORN: 13 June 1967, Harare
KNOWN AS: Gus Mackay
In all honesty... the base point around focussing development opportunities on those who want to be professional cricketers is a good one; or more pertinently not "wasting" resource on anyone who has already decided that they will prioritise other avenues ahead of their cricket career. IF that is even the case.
Sadly, the sort of call no other full member nation has to make. Goes without saying that anyone capable of playing international U19 cricket is prioritising a cricket career! That isn't the case in Zim, which is incredibly sad and detrimental to the game at senior level.
As ever with ZC, the silence, and lack of explanation, is unprofessional and makes their decision making look worse as there is no view of the rationale behind it.
Those boys who have been in India, for example. In a lot of ways, this is a development initiative they should be shouting about. Look at the opportunities we are providing for some of the best boys in our system to improve! There should be transparency around what that programme is, how the individuals were selected and the costs. There isn't. Therefore it comes across as shady, and another reason for some people to stick the boot in.
Some of that is because of the numbers. Every other major nation is drawing upon hundreds of clubs. In Zim, they draw from 6 or so schools. The pattern is always 3/4 decent kids and the rest is bumfluff.
The rare times they win is because of the Bennett brothers both scoring, or Burl whacking a century against India or some individual brilliance from kids that somewhat kick on.
This was the 2020 squad that won a few games: Dion Myers (c)
Wesley Madhevere (vc) Emmanuel Bawa
Privilege Chesa
Gareth Chirawu
Ahomed Rameez Ebrahim
Dylan Grant Tadiwanashe Marumani
Sukhemuzi Ndlela
Tadiwanashe Nyangani
Luke Oldknow
Samuel Ruwisi Dane Schadendorf
Milton Shumba
Taurayi Tugwete
I think the average poster here will know the bolded names but who the F are the rest? Some players even batted at 9/10 without bowling.
Luke Oldknow was a great talent but idk what happened to him(he was a tad naughty though) Taurayi is playing professional soccer in the US Gareth and Priviledge are still in and around the club scene if i am not mistaken the rest, i have no idea
Oldknow was very average, bud. Rameez paid a lot of money to be there as well. A lot!!! I'm talking a lot!! Epitomized the continual disgraceful shenanigans around age group selections that comes to a head at u19 level. I think may have even paid to play a couple of franchise games.
Dylan Grant was a good sportman, quite a quick bowler with a terrible action. I never thought he'd kick on.
Lets talk about Samuel Ruwisi. He was one of the best bowling prospects Ive seen and never made the final squad. What a fucking joke!!
Was at an SA school. There's a common theme here.
Connor Lovatt would perhaps be the most interesting case from the last couple of years. He was not far away from being picked for the previous World Cup as a 16 year old. He has not been involved at all in the 2 years since then. So clearly not part of the plans whatsoever. In spite of that he has been arguably the outstanding player on the school circuit this year (Granted, it is only school cricket, but many if those in this squad have been playing on the same circuit as well), a hard hitting middle order batter, and opening bowler. Captain at St John's. I'm not saying he would automatically be better than many/any of those named. It definitely appears odd that he has not been given any opportunities whatsoever though, as many many players have been looked at. Relevant to the next point is that he also captains St John's at Rugby.
This is from his Dad:
"It is absolutely NOT the best squad of available school boys this year!!
For the simple reason, when Elton got appointed as Coach of Zim U19 beginning of last year, he wanted all eligible school boys (including those who represented Zim U19 in December 2023 against SA U19) to sign a “Contract” that they would play NO other sport at school until 31st January 2026!!
That ludicrous illogical policy has never been enforced at school boy level in Zimbabwe or South Africa’s history!
Notwithstanding that fact, it is impossible for boys attending independent schools to do, as they are required to play at least one sport for their school each term! And, if it was possible, it would mean those boys would have to forgo selection to play Zimbabwe U18 Rugby & Hockey for their last TWO years at school too!
they did not CHOSE not to participate in training seasons or games! They COULD NOT do so because of school commitments to other sports Policy!"
I think he would probably need to revise that to some independent schools. Clearly almost all of this side attend independent schools...
My personal opinion would be that even as late as 17/18, playing multiple different sports is a positive and should be encouraged, rather than the reverse. In fact, in the UK I have heard of junior county cricketers having memberships for clubs in other sports paid for them by their county to ensure that they are playing more than just cricket. Granted that is at 11/12 years old.
The discourse on twitter has been great and great to see a few people dig holes for themselves. Liam's dad has been shutting alot of stuff down.
Very strange policy that by Elton, i think you find the most talented sportsman generally excel at more then one sport.
The school situation is similar in Aus where kids are required to play school football before rep football. I am mostly referring to private school football in Melbourne but the same.
I stand by one thing I've always said- if a batsman was not a stand out schoolboy with at least 15-20 centuries under his belt in a pretty good system by the time he's u19,
There’s only 1 boy in this batch that meets this criteria and he wasn’t selected. It’s criminal.
If one of the most influential powerful men in the whole country can’t even get his grandson selected then what hope does anyone else have?!?!?!
You either need very very deep pockets to buy a place, or you have to sign your whole life away to our esteemed u19 team ‘manager’ Mr Mawoza at the age of 16 and fully abandon any other priorities in your entire life and rock up for Elton every morning at Takashinga.
