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Zim Cricket Team Begs for Firepower, new Leadership
Thursday, 12 November 2009 20:25
IT was generally agreed that Zimbabwe’s recent 4-1 series defeat in the spin-haven of Bangladesh was not an accurate appraisal of their overall performance on the subcontinent. On different stages of the games they were in it, and with a little bit of luck they could actually have snatched the series. But what of the two ODIs in South Africa in familiar conditions this week?


The factors leading to the 2-0 defeat in South Africa are not at all new, and had authorities heeded advice offered to them after Bangladesh came here and won 4-1 in August, it could have been a different story.


In recent months Zimbabwe Cricket has made appointments in crucial areas such as selection and coaching. In appointing the new selection committee chaired by former national team captain Alistair Campbell, ZC rightfully gave all powers to the body: there would be no interference, all selection based on quotas — if any still remained — would no longer abide. In real terms, the best 11 Zimbabweans (regardless of colour) available would take to the field on any given day.


While this is obviously a welcome development insofar as cricket advancement in this country is concerned — looking at the wealth of expertise being brought by the new appointments — Campbell and Co have responded to the powers vested in them with what critics have labelled arrogance. And if one is to examine a few dynamics, the criticism would certainly appear valid.


Pace bowling
The huge crack in the pace attack, exposed ruthlessly during Bangladesh’s tour in August (even Kenya did fancy themselves against our seamers!), has not been filled.


The two qualities any team needs to pose a threat to an international opposition — genuine pace and accuracy — are the missing link in this Zimbabwe attack.


When Kyle Jarvis first came into the side against Kenya, speed was said to be his main weapon.


He did extract some pace, bounce and movement on a flat Harare Sports Club surface against Kenya, but not with the consistency and tempo a bowler using pace as his trump card should. And lacking control as he does in the early stages of his international career means Jarvis has really come at a cost to the team.


At 20, he is a young player with a lot of potential, but that he was fast-tracked into the national side is an error that should be corrected by a few more outings at first-class level to smoothen the rough edges of his bowling.


The spinners have done a good job in particular the ever-rising Graeme Cremer and the experienced Ray Price. In the South Africa ODIs, they bowled under pressure, after the frontline bowlers had failed to set the foundation with early breakthroughs, but still managed to staunch the run flow and even took crucial wickets.


These two are now very important players in the Zimbabwe team, and Prosper Utseya has been a stabilising factor for quite a while.


But they are not strike bowlers. They need to may to compensate for the pace bowlers.They need to be supported by three or four quality pace bowlers.


But three or four quality pace bowlers from where? Andy Blignaut is rumoured to be on his way back to join a franchise, but it’s not known if he is still in the right shape. Heath Streak spoke about Anthony Ireland possibly returning to the fold, but that too could take some time.


In the interim the best solution, perhaps, is to make hay with the material that is available. The accurate Tawanda Mupariwa was a surprise omission from the last three series, while injuries constantly stand in Eddie Rainsford’s way.


Trevor Garwe has had the right foundation having played five years of first-class cricket, and for the selectors to judge him on the basis of his treatment on his debut at the hands of carefree Kenyan batsmen playing with nothing to lose in a dead-rubber was a bit harsh.

Captaincy
Utseya deserve respect for the manner with which he has held together a young and struggling team for three years.


Thrust into captaincy during a mass player desertion when prophets of doom gave Zimbabwe cricket little chance to survive beyond two years, Utseya and his charges made sure the Zimbabwe national side at least maintained its place in ODIs. His personal performance remarkably flourished for a spinner turning out for a lowly side, and at one time he rose to become the most economical bowler in the world.


Recent matches have not been good for Utseya, and as his form has slumped, his leadership has suffered.
His decision to send South Africa to bat in the second ODI on a Centurion track that appeared good for batting will haunt him long after the series.


Here was a side looking for batting practice ahead of a tougher series against England, and Utseya gave them what they wanted.


Having failed to put pressure on the Proteas’ total of 295-5 on Sunday with a bowling attack so thin on penetration both upfront and in the death, one would think Zimbabwe needed to bat first and apply different kind of pressure on South Africa in the Tuesday game.


Besides, Jacques Kallis and JP Duminy were returning to boost the South Africa batting, and Zimbabwe are not used to batting under lights.


So, who could become the next Zimbabwe captain?


Hamilton Masakadza is a favourite of many. But it was under his leadership, following an injury to Utseya, that Zimbabwe lost three matches in Bangladesh to lose the series 4-1 after taking a lead in the first match. His decision to bowl Chamu Chibhabha in the final stages of the final ODI, when Zimbabwe had a realistic opportunity of losing respectably by 3-2, could also work against him.


Masakadza is a charismatic player as well, but he is also a batting kingpin of the side and you wouldn’t want to him to gamble that with the burden of captaincy.


That limits the options to two men: Ray Price and Tatenda Taibu.


Price is the spiritual leader of the team. He has been ever since returning to the international fold from English county cricket.


At 33, Price still has three years to fours years of international cricket in him, just about the time Zimbabwe has targeted for a return to Test commitments. It could be in fact very appropriate to have such a passionate, respected and unifying player to lead the country back to the Promised Land.


Taibu has had running battles with authorities. It has been said giving him the captaincy is politically incorrect. But in the current spirit of inclusiveness and merit engulfing Zimbabwe Cricket, this natural leader, a very popular figure with fans and players alike when he was appointed the country’s first black skipper in 2004, should also be a firm candidate.



Enock Muchinjo

At 20, he [Jarvis] is a young player with a lot of potential, but that he was fast-tracked into the national side is an error that should be corrected by a few more outings at first-class level to smoothen the rough edges of his bowling.