Can Zim justify picking Utseya ahead of Maruma?

[The Saint]

This is not an attack on Utseya as a captain or a spin bowler. It's just that Maruma's form has become so compelling it's difficult to see how he can be left out. While Utseya might have better control and more experience, Maruma is more of a wicket taker as evidenced by his first class record which is substantially better than Utseya's.


With Zimbabwe lacking in genuine wicket taking bowlers, so what if Maruma goes for more runs, if he's able to take wickets it puts more pressure on the opposition who have new batsmen coming to the wicket. There's also the point of Maruma's superior batting. He would add much needed depth to Zimbabwe's brittle lower order. Everyone on this forum would agree that Price is our best spinner but who's no 2? Cremer? Maybe, but what happens if Zimbabwe only pick 2 spinners in the team to play the West.Indies? (They should, 3 spinners and 2 seamers rarely works except on raging turners, unless they pick an all-rounder like Lamb at 6).

To me it's kind of pointless having a big hitter like Chigumbura coming in at no.7 if he's followed by 4 relative bunnies. Cremer might have made some runs at domestic level but has struggled with the bat at international level, Price is dogged and determined but does not score many, Mpofu, Jarvis, Rainsford are genuine no.11's. Utseya is a bit better but again his domestic batting record is inferior to Maruma. At least we could give Maruma some exposure at international level with the World-Cup coming up next year.

[aydee]

The trouble is that you can definitely justify picking Utseya ahead of Maruma in one day cricket. Utseya is Zim's 2nd most reliable bowler in ODIs after Price. That said, Maruma's stats have been excellent in 4-day cricket this year, he avergaes 15!! (less good in one day cricket though). To be honest, Cremer's place is more under threat from Maruma that Utseya's.

[sloandog]

To be honest, Cremer's place is more under threat from Maruma that Utseya's.

I disagree with that. I think Cremer, over the past 6-7, months has come on 110% both as a cricketer and a charcacter for Zimbabwe. He's regularly picked up key wickets at very important times and his line and lengh have been impeckable. For the West Indies tour i agree with the saint (welcome to the forum by the way) as the West Indies wickets are quicker then they are in Zimbabwe. If i was Heath Streak i'd have 2 spinners in Raymond Price and Graeme Cremer. And three fast bowlers in Kyle Jarvis, Edward Rainsford/Keegan Meth (who gives you that balance with the bat too) and Elton Chigumbura. Give the legend the captancy and Zimbabwe will bare great fruit

[eugene]

I wouldn't pick Utseya or Maruma in the national side. Cremer and Price should be the two spinners in the side.

[Tinashce Ruswa]

U look at the numbers they do not lie..U look at the match type four day etc and you pick your bowlers accordingly, not based on emotion or personal like required but rather on past performances and experience...Wrist spinners mind you need time to mature and be groomed such that they have the temperament and sustenance..n Roudy(PRO) ain't done bad in the international game if so you use Timmy as your other attacking bowler alongside your two strike bowlers plus Elty and your two spinners that way you always have two batting allrounders withing your 6 men bowling attack esp for one day games


......................YUng $$$...........................

[zulu]

yebo...tottaly agree with u there bra

[Conant]

The Saint makes a compelling case in favor of Tymcen Maruma. I watched the youngster bowl for Zim A against Bangladesh and I tell you he can turn it a mile but the problem with playing leg spinners in limited overs matches is that they have to exceptionally good to succeed at international level. Otherwise they are ideal in test matches. Look at Maruma’s economy rate; it’s about 4 an over. It will be more expensive in one day matches. Personally I wouldn’t care for two spinners in a match in West Indies, let alone three. So as far as the One day internationals go Utseya remains in the team after Raymond Price and Cremer and Maruma can wait for the tests. They are the future and I think they will do exceedingly well in this format.