Franchise Round 9 - Pro50 & Logan (3- 9 March)

[Googly]

That might be a first time anyone has faced 140 plus bowlers after the sun has gone down

[Pat_Bee]

I wouldn’t have fancied that

[tawac]

MSC now has a reputation of producing block busters. What an epic match. The sun generally goes down a Ted bit early in Mutare than any other location in Zimbabwe. They should seriously consider having limited overs games start a half hour earlier.

[Googly]

I don't think the umpires pay too much attention to time wasting either. There was so much dicking around with ball changes, field settings, people getting injured etc.

It was as a I suspected, the sun went behind a dense cloud bank low on the horizon and then popped out in an even lower window giving a few minutes of play.

Problem is they finished in even less light than when the game was originally stopped.
Chivanga should never have been allowed to bowl that last over in that light, that was downright dangerous.

I knew Mountaineers had to win that to get to the finals to play Rhinos but I didn't realize it was actually between them and Eagles. What an epic semi!!

I still can't get to the bottom of why Maruma didn't play? Anyone? I'm guessing he was injured, but what and to what extent? If he plays in the 4 day tomorrow then surely he should have played yesterday? He's a key player in that side in all formats. They're massively weaker without him.

I think a draw secures them the title? Anyone?

In my view they've played with a depleted side. They'd have been a lot stronger with Mike Frost and definitely PJ Moor and potentially Schadendorf. I wonder if he will come back for the T20's?? If they want to stand a chance of winning the T20 title he's a must have. They're entitled to an overseas or two as well, surely PJ? He's a quality player.

I'm not sold on Chiorah. He's fun to watch and he's got a great eye. He does well on that small Mutare field and he's a useful addition to their T20 side but technically he's really struggling against good bowling. I wasn't surprised seeing him in the A side, but I knew he'd find it hard going. They love throwing under cooked guys in the deep end. Hasn't worked, doesn't work. You can't wish it, you have to prepare them.

The one guy I have underrated has been Ashley Mufadauya. He played a gem of an innings yesterday. He's got potential for sure.

Where was Alex Russell in the Eagles squad? I've heard they've restricted him to the 4 day stuff? That was a huge blunder on their part. It just goes to show the coaching staff don't seem too concerned about winning trophies. He should be in all formats if Eagles want to field their strongest side, especially in the crunch games.

[ZIMDOGGY]

I don't think the umpires pay too much attention to time wasting either. There was so much dicking around with ball changes, field settings, people getting injured etc.

It was as a I suspected, the sun went behind a dense cloud bank low on the horizon and then popped out in an even lower window giving a few minutes of play.

Problem is they finished in even less light than when the game was originally stopped.
Chivanga should never have been allowed to bowl that last over in that light, that was downright dangerous.

I knew Mountaineers had to win that to get to the finals to play Rhinos but I didn't realize it was actually between them and Eagles. What an epic semi!!

I still can't get to the bottom of why Maruma didn't play? Anyone? I'm guessing he was injured, but what and to what extent? If he plays in the 4 day tomorrow then surely he should have played yesterday? He's a key player in that side in all formats. They're massively weaker without him.

I think a draw secures them the title? Anyone?

In my view they've played with a depleted side. They'd have been a lot stronger with Mike Frost and definitely PJ Moor and potentially Schadendorf. I wonder if he will come back for the T20's?? If they want to stand a chance of winning the T20 title he's a must have. They're entitled to an overseas or two as well, surely PJ? He's a quality player.

I'm not sold on Chiorah. He's fun to watch and he's got a great eye. He does well on that small Mutare field and he's a useful addition to their T20 side but technically he's really struggling against good bowling. I wasn't surprised seeing him in the A side, but I knew he'd find it hard going. They love throwing under cooked guys in the deep end. Hasn't worked, doesn't work. You can't wish it, you have to prepare them.

The one guy I have underrated has been Ashley Mufadauya. He played a gem of an innings yesterday. He's got potential for sure.

Where was Alex Russell in the Eagles squad? I've heard they've restricted him to the 4 day stuff? That was a huge blunder on their part. It just goes to show the coaching staff don't seem too concerned about winning trophies. He should be in all formats if Eagles want to field their strongest side, especially in the crunch games.

You betting on Mountaineers for the title goog?

[Googly]

Chiorah and Schadendorf are an interesting discussion/comparison.
Both have great eyes and like that pinch hitting approach.
JT however hits it twice as hard and far and although he just plants his front foot and hits he's technically better than Tinashe. Mountaineers have decided its either or, but surely there's room in franchise cricket with so many passengers for someone of Schadendorf's striking ability. I mean he's up there with a younger Cephas Zhuwao.

Another guy with limited foot movement is Naqvi. He does it really well. I watched him batting with MW in that A game.
MW was hanging in, but struggling to find his timing and should have been content with dirty runs, but started trying to over hit, whilst knackers was playing on a different pitch at the other end. MW should have just been content to carry on trying to find some rhythm, a good player can always catch up. Knackers is a big imposing looking batsman. I know he's made a lot of runs, but I've always thought he was just really solid as opposed to really good, but I've changed my mind. He goes in there with a proper game plan and there are very few that hit the ball as hard as he does. What's really unusual is he hardly goes back to spin. If it's a bit short he stands on his crease instead of going right back like most batters do. Very interesting way and it works for him.

[Googly]

I don't think the umpires pay too much attention to time wasting either. There was so much dicking around with ball changes, field settings, people getting injured etc.

It was as a I suspected, the sun went behind a dense cloud bank low on the horizon and then popped out in an even lower window giving a few minutes of play.

Problem is they finished in even less light than when the game was originally stopped.
Chivanga should never have been allowed to bowl that last over in that light, that was downright dangerous.

I knew Mountaineers had to win that to get to the finals to play Rhinos but I didn't realize it was actually between them and Eagles. What an epic semi!!

I still can't get to the bottom of why Maruma didn't play? Anyone? I'm guessing he was injured, but what and to what extent? If he plays in the 4 day tomorrow then surely he should have played yesterday? He's a key player in that side in all formats. They're massively weaker without him.

I think a draw secures them the title? Anyone?

In my view they've played with a depleted side. They'd have been a lot stronger with Mike Frost and definitely PJ Moor and potentially Schadendorf. I wonder if he will come back for the T20's?? If they want to stand a chance of winning the T20 title he's a must have. They're entitled to an overseas or two as well, surely PJ? He's a quality player.

I'm not sold on Chiorah. He's fun to watch and he's got a great eye. He does well on that small Mutare field and he's a useful addition to their T20 side but technically he's really struggling against good bowling. I wasn't surprised seeing him in the A side, but I knew he'd find it hard going. They love throwing under cooked guys in the deep end. Hasn't worked, doesn't work. You can't wish it, you have to prepare them.

The one guy I have underrated has been Ashley Mufadauya. He played a gem of an innings yesterday. He's got potential for sure.

Where was Alex Russell in the Eagles squad? I've heard they've restricted him to the 4 day stuff? That was a huge blunder on their part. It just goes to show the coaching staff don't seem too concerned about winning trophies. He should be in all formats if Eagles want to field their strongest side, especially in the crunch games.

You betting on Mountaineers for the title goog?

No, I think Rhinos have a slightly stronger side.
Curran has done very well opening, and Mountaineers openers are erratic. Chiorah won't get Evans away and will probably go out to him. Evans' 10 overs may well be the difference. Might be a shoot out between NW and Knackers, if either one of them goes big.
Maruma might have a say.

[Googly]

Kaitano Curran, Naqvi, Kasuza, Burl, Musekiwa, Masvaure
What's happened to Solly??

Their front 3 are very experienced and if they get them off to a decent start they'll have the upper hand. That's a very good and experienced line-up.

Mountaineers have
Chiorah and Gumbie opening and I think they're very brittle.
Joylord has had a poor time of it and Chiorah is hit or miss. As I said he will struggle against Evans who is going to be key in this final. He restricts run rates big time.
Gets better after that- NW, MW, Frost, Maruma, Mufundauya, Magodo, Masakadza. Mufundauya and Magodo are hit or miss as well.

The Rhinos batters are more experienced and probably slightly better. If Mountaineers are to win it NW needs to go big I'd think...and Knackers and Curran would have to be mediocre. 2:1 odds.

[Googly]

Chiorah and Schadendorf are an interesting discussion/comparison.
Both have great eyes and like that pinch hitting approach.
JT however hits it twice as hard and far and although he just plants his front foot and hits he's technically better than Tinashe. Mountaineers have decided its either or, but surely there's room in franchise cricket with so many passengers for someone of Schadendorf's striking ability. I mean he's up there with a younger Cephas Zhuwao.

Another guy with limited foot movement is Naqvi. He does it really well. I watched him batting with MW in that A game.
MW was hanging in, but struggling to find his timing and should have been content with dirty runs, but started trying to over hit, whilst knackers was playing on a different pitch at the other end. MW should have just been content to carry on trying to find some rhythm, a good player can always catch up. Knackers is a big imposing looking batsman. I know he's made a lot of runs, but I've always thought he was just really solid as opposed to really good, but I've changed my mind. He goes in there with a proper game plan and there are very few that hit the ball as hard as he does. What's really unusual is he hardly goes back to spin. If it's a bit short he stands on his crease instead of going right back like most batters do. Very interesting way and it works for him.

Ya I can't leave this topic.
They've decided to snuff out Schadendorf's career? Who gets to play God there? He can start again and blitz the NPL again, but there's no guarantee he will do that, but he's going to have to, just to potentially get another opportunity with another franchise, but they've said NPL stats don't count....unless of course they like you.
So club and NPL stats don't count (most of the time), so how do you get a franchise gig? He surely fits into almost any franchise white ball set up, especially T20, even if it's down the order as a finisher.
He did the 12 step program and did phenomenally well and then without so much as a sorry just gets left out. They didn't even have the courtesy to tell him to fuck off.

If they're going to fuck people over like this the system is really crying out for a 6th franchise. The Rangers Misfits. It frees up other franchise slots for people they're convinced will make it one day, whilst keeping their old warhorses going. They're necessary because without them our franchise is really weak. It's not really in their interests though- more pay, better management, better coaching, better selections, better kit, more interest in the domestic game, guaranteed sponsorship which they're always complaining about.

I put it in another post but how do you pick a Misfits team?
Campbellx2, Welchx2, Ervine, Williams, Burl, Ballance, Schadendorf, Taylor, Ballance, Marumanix2, Myers, Macheka, Evans, Banks, Higgins, Russell, Frostx2, Basson, Schonken, Curran, Moor, Bennett etc. 26 really good players!!!
I'd bet you'd have a queue of other black players as well. People are sick of earning coke and buns money.
Shadendorf Jr and Byrom will be back at some point, take poison on that. 28 players.

I mean if ZC were really interested in progressing our domestic game and adding some interest and sponsorship this is the way forward. Half these guys would have to think long and hard if they'd sign up because there would be some disappointed international players
You could split them like for like straight down the middle and make 2 really strong franchise teams.

[Andy31]

I mean for the List A and 20/20s

Surely another franchise could be useful.