[ Poll ] ZCF Players of the MTN Championship

[brmtaylor.com admin]

As mentioned before, we'll have polls at the end of each major series to count towards the zimcricketforums.com Player of the Year.
You can vote for three different players - those who you think were most outstanding this series.

Series stats are at http://stats.cricinfo.com/southafricand ... tournament

Winners of the Pakistan series were Sean Williams, Ray Price and Elton Chigumbura

[CrimsonAvenger]

I had to make a tough choice between Williams, Taibu, Masakadza, Price, Mupariwa and Brent.

Williams was clearly the most consistent batsman, and had he palyed the entire tournament, he would have aggregated close to 500 runs (if not more). So, He comes in as one of the choices.

Brent did not have a settled new ball bowler at the other end for support throughout the tournament, but he still managed to emerge as the top wicket taker, and was expensive in only one of his matches. So, he scores over other bowlers.

Taibu just scraped through ahead of Masakadza on the back of his match winning effort in the end, and its just unfortunate that Price lost out in my list.

So, my top 3: Williams, Brent, Taibu

[brmtaylor.com admin]

I went with Williams, Taibu and Masakadza. I felt the bowling was pretty average to be honest. Even though Brent, Price and Mupariwa were clearly a cut above the rest, no bowler really dominated. If someone had got 20-25 wickets (ie. averaging more than 2 wickets a game), then that would have been more impressive.

I agree with what you said about Williams, he would have scored 500. Taibu and Masakadza were both very impressive throughout the series, both were unlucky not to get another century.

[baiju029]

My votes are for
1) Taibu

2) Williams

3) Price


Other gud performers were Mazakadza,Brent,Matskinyeri and Chingumbura and sometimes Taylor(But he can do much better than this).Chakabwa also in the gud ones list as he is new and he did really well.

Those who went down were Utseya,Chibabha and Sibanda

[aydee]

I went for Williams, Taibu & Price, with honourable mentions to Masakadza, Brent & Mupariwa.

[aydee]

Here's the averages from the series:

http://stats.cricinfo.com/southafricand ... tournament

Considering that this was in general a fairly low scoring series, the batting was a fairly impressive, if rarely destructive. The bowling was a little disappointing, and the team balance suffered when Chigumbura got injured.

Sean Williams - Zim's leading batsman for the second series in a row, scoring one of only 2 centuries in the tournament. The only criticism you could have of his batting is the strike rate of 69, although he was often having to dig in after early wickets. His bowling was used lightly, and he seems to have slipped well down the spinners pecking order.
Stewart Matsikenyeri - A very handy, if somewhat unexpected comeback, scoring 3 aggressive 50s in 6 innings.
Tatenda Taibu - Found a lot of success after moving up to open the batting, and has probably earned himself an extended run in this position. Zim's player most capable of playing a match winning innings, although his consistency needs to improve.
Hamilton Masakadza - An average tournament, making 3 50s, but also falling early on several occasions. He does however, seem at home opening. His underused medium pace was fairly successful when used.
Regis Chakabva - An encouraging debut series. Didn't appear overawed, only failing a couple of times, and won the penultimate match with an ice cool 70 not out. Needs to work on converting his starts.
Keith Dabengwa - Typical effort from Dabengwa, a couple of handy 30s, but nothing remotely match winning. His bowling was rarely used, and seems to be falling off at an alarming rate.
Chamu Chibhabha - A very disappointing series, with only one innings of substance, will probably see him lose his place in the first choice eleven. With the ball (again) he was expensive and failed to take many wickets, I'm starting to see a pattern here... He's not a third seamer...
Elton Chigumbura - A fairly poor effort by his standards, although his presence at no. 7 immeasurably helps the teams balance. Scored 1 aggressive 50, but averaging 35 with the ball is not really what you want of your opening bowler, and after the success of Brent & Mupariwa may find himself not taking the new ball.
Brendan Taylor - Rubbish, averaging 17 is not good enough, senior player should contribute more.
Prosper Utseya - As ever, fairly economical but not very penetrative. Doesn't yet seem to be the genuine allrounder many are hoping he will become.
Vusi Sibanda - One of Zim's leading batsmen before this series, dropped by the end after averaging 16...
Ray Price - Outstanding economy rate of 4.02, was very rarely expensive, but only averaging 1 wicket a game, which on this occasion can't be entirely blamed on a lack of pressure at the end.
Graeme Cremer - Earned his chance after a very impressive SAA series, but may well have blown it for the time being after conceding over 6 an over and not scoring any runs.
Gary Brent - Leading wicket taker with 13 and also an impressive economy rate. The question mark remains as to whether he is a genuine international opening bowler, but this series was a great success for him. He only averged 4 with the bat though... considering he scored a 50 against SA last year, this is poor.
Timycen Maruma - Only four games, but fairly promising performances. Will struggle to get many games though, as 3 specialist spinners did seem unnecessary.
Tawanda Mupariwa - an excellent series seems to have solidified his place as a first choice new ball bowler.
Taurai Muzarabani - A surpise selection, he seemd out of his depth taking only 2 wickets in his 4 games.
Chris Mpofu - One expensive outing, then injured. Has slipped down the seam bowlers pecking order.

[andy24]

i voted for williams taibu and brent.
williams was clearly the best batsman then taibu a good second, brent was the pick of the bowelers for me.