Forster Mutizwa

[cricket_22001]

To an outsider, Mutizwa is the type of player where one asks "Why hasn't he played more internationals?"

Well, to begin with, he debuted in 2004/05 & as a keeper/batsman, he was a contemporary of Taibu. Then in his peak years, he faced the Zimbabwe test exile. Upon their return, he made his only test appearance in the disastrous match in NZ in 2011/12. But he fell behind Chakabva & Mutumbami in the pecking order especially when he had his worst season in 2012/13. He has also played 17 ODIs & 3 T20s, but none since 2011/12.

Mutizwa has played 83 FC matches, 77 are Logan Cup. One test, one Zim 'A' match plus 4 for the Zimbabwe XI in the Inter-continental Cup make up his career. These figures do not include the current fixture. He is one of 6 players to have scored over 4000 runs in the Logan Cup & is currently in 3rd spot. (Trivia: Does anyone know the other 5?)

Mutizwa is one of those fine stalwarts whose career is somewhat marked with a sense of bad timing. Below is a cut & paste from Cricketarchive.

First-class Batting and Fielding in Each Season by Forster Mutizwa
Season Matches Inns Not Out Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
2004-05 (Zimbabwe) 2 3 0 5 3 1.66 0 0 10 1
2006-07 (Zimbabwe) 5 8 0 211 107 26.37 1 0 16
2007-08 (Zimbabwe) 4 6 1 207 102* 41.40 1 0 18 3
2008-09 (Zimbabwe) 6 10 1 447 124 49.66 1 5 19 2
2009-10 (Zimbabwe) 14 25 5 1149 190 57.45 3 5 18 2
2010 (Canada) 1 1 0 11 11 11.00 0 0 2
2010-11 (Zimbabwe) 14 25 2 824 116 35.82 2 2 18
2011-12 (Zimbabwe) 4 7 1 409 164* 68.16 2 1 9 1
2011-12 (New Zealand) 1 2 0 24 18 12.00 0 0 0
2012-13 (Zimbabwe) 7 13 1 240 53* 20.00 0 1 8
2013-14 (Zimbabwe) 7 11 3 354 111* 44.25 2 1 17 3
2014-15 (Zimbabwe) 9 16 3 508 127* 39.07 1 2 22 4
2015-16 (Zimbabwe) 6 11 2 313 61 34.77 0 2 12
2016-17 (Zimbabwe) 3 4 2 71 35 35.50 0 0 4

[TapsC]

I definitely think he has been unlucky. his ODI average is quite healthy too. definitely deserves another chance. I guess every country has those domestic cricket legends who never really get going on the biggest stage. I actually think its a very close call between an in form Chakabva Mutizwa and PJ for the keeper position in tests if we look at it from a numbers perspective

[CrimsonAvenger]

Thanks again for the stats. So, he's had a decent run in the last 3 seasons with 34 being the lowest average across all of them. But nothing spectacular...

[tawac]

Thanks again for the stats. So, he's had a decent run in the last 3 seasons with 34 being the lowest average across all of them. But nothing spectacular...

Spectacular is not a word you would use for most of our batsman. But he has surely done enough to be considered for the long version of the game and at 31 we can get 3/4 seasons out of him.

[CrimsonAvenger]

As for the trivia of 4000+ Logan Cup club, I'm sure Hamilton Masakadza is right at the top. Other 4 could be BRMT, Sibanda, Matsi and (Vermeulen / Dabengwa)?

[cricket_22001]

As for the trivia of 4000+ Logan Cup club, I'm sure Hamilton Masakadza is right at the top. Other 4 could be BRMT, Sibanda, Matsi and (Vermeulen / Dabengwa)?

This is the top 7. One of these has not scored 4000 runs.

Also, regarding Mutizwa, a notable omission in his stats is the number of 'A' games (only one). Zimbabwe played 'A' games steadily from the mid 90s to 2007/08 then nothing till 2014 except a 3 match series in 2010/11 against NZ (where Mutizwa played his one game). This speaks volumes as to the so called development of players to be introduced to the international scene. Since 2014 the 'A' games have been pretty steady.

[Mueddie28]

As for the trivia of 4000+ Logan Cup club, I'm sure Hamilton Masakadza is right at the top. Other 4 could be BRMT, Sibanda, Matsi and (Vermeulen / Dabengwa)?

This is the top 7. One of these has not scored 4000 runs.

Also, regarding Mutizwa, a notable omission in his stats is the number of 'A' games (only one). Zimbabwe played 'A' games steadily from the mid 90s to 2007/08 then nothing till 2014 except a 3 match series in 2010/11 against NZ (where Mutizwa played his one game). This speaks volumes as to the so called development of players to be introduced to the international scene. Since 2014 the 'A' games have been pretty steady.

Mutizwa has done nothing to stand out...
Some of his big games are when star players on national duty...
New blood, New white blood...
Taibu might help us get back to the promised Land