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Hi All,

Just wanted some of your views on the current bowling stocks within the Zim National Squad...I think it's fair to say that we have at least one world class spin bowler at the moment with even 2 or 3 players that are performing well in the domestic scene ie. Maruma and co.

My question is, with a few senior players and officials publicly coming out and saying that we could be back playing tests within the next 2-3 years, what is the next step in terms of fast bowling?

I know the system is young but do we have the depth (17 - 20 year olds) coming through that are decent pace bowlers? Having that strike bowler really would add an extra pop to our ever developing team!!

It seems that our fast bowling hopes are pinned on Kyle Jarvis. He is one of the few who bowls with any real pace.

Fast bowlers are to cricket what strikers are to soccer. They are always the most difficult to find and the most in demand.

The ZCU has done well to get Jarvis back from Uni is RSA but now should target the return of Aliensi, Panyangara and Ireland. They should also select young up & coming pace bowlers and have a real plan to invest in their development. ie 2/3 of:- Ncube, Chimhamhiwa, Price, Jaure, Muzhange and Chitare (although I have no idea of the relative speed and quality of these players).

true fast bowlers are hard to find like soccer strikers, but ZC have not done enough to look after the few we have, like attaching them to academies in S.A. or OZ, to perfect their bowling, where are bowlers such as Ian Nicholson, Campbell McMillan, the current seamers such as Mpofu & Chigumbura should focus on their line & length than strain themselves for speed and end up being smashed all over the field.

When i first joined this forum this subject was the first to jump into my mind auszim . At that point zimbabwe were playing bangladesh i think, and we had little medium pace trundlers in Mupariwa and Gary Brent. But having whatched Jarvis bowl recently against South Africa, made me rwalise that zimbabwe actually have some pace in their ranks. ( or did )
Fast bowlers that should be approached :

Callum Price- i havent actaully seen the lad bowl but having seen some pictures of him recently he looks like a younger version of Eddo Brandes, tall, strong and powerful looking. All the raw attributes to become a good fast bolwer. I've been told he can rech 83mph.

Gerald Aleseni- Rapid !

Anthony Ireland- He's left Zimbabwe and headed for england to play at gloucstishire. Wether or not he'll return is down to how persuasive Heath Streak can be, but he's come on enormously gaining an extra yard of pace ( I've seen him reach 86mph) and looks as strong as i've ever seen him.

Campbell Macmillan- Never actually seen the lad play, but have heard from past threads that he was once the quickest in zimbabwe being able to crank it up to 87mph.

Andy Blignaut- His return is imminant, the question is, can he actually bowl as fast as we know he used to bowl ( 2003 CWC 93mph), or will he bowl at the pace we saw him in south africa in 2006 (80mph-83mphtops). Big question mark over that bracket.

Brian Vitri- Heard he can bowl 83mph, but he's young and can learn.

I think Chris Mpofu should get more of a change in the national side. His domestic form this year has been outstanding. He got smacked around a bit against SA but so did all the bowlers.

Trevor Garwe isnt too shody as well. Dont know how fast he is but he is pretty quick. With the right guideance he may find his way into the national team sooner or later. His 23 years old.

I have a friend that lives in Zimbabwe and i E-Mailed him earlier on today about the pace of Trevor Garwe. he wrote a letter back to me and said he bowls consistantly around the 135kph mark. About 84mph.