ICC World Cup Qualifiers 2018, Zimbabwe : Discussion

[brmtaylor.com admin]

C/C - Current ZC Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani,Current Zimbabwe Minister of Sport,Ladies and gentlemen,Zimbabwe Cricket Family,

On Mon 19th February 2018 Zimbabwe lost the series to Afghanistan in the UAE 4-1 and the T20 series 2-0.With the 2019 World Cup Qualifiers taking place in Zimbabwe in March 2018,there are some serious issues/concerns to highlight or put across as food for thought for Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC).

1 - Zimbabwe players seemed to have no proper plan on how to play quality spin bowling from Afghanistan .With Solomon Mire always going across the line of ball especially using the high risk shot (the reverse sweep) time after time and game after game against high class spinners,it showed a serious confidence and ability to hit the ball down the ground with more straighter bat path - confidence needs to be restored to him as he is a critical player in the March 2018 WC qualifiers and for Zimbabwe and in future.

2- Tarisai Musakanda was out of international cricket for a while and one could see he wasn’t ready for the challenge vs Afghanistan having been brought in late for the tour and batting at 3 he didn’t seem to have enough time for the ball to play the Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran as well as the timing or power to beat the infield in the first 10 overs.He needs more work/time in First class and A side cricket.He does bowl nice dibbly dobbers though.However,with hardly much first class cricket in Zimbabwe in 2017/18 as well as last season 2016/17 due cancellations by ZC incompetence and money mismanagement one wonders how players are expected to be match ready?Musakanda as a young inexperienced player cannot get good advice if senior players are themselves struggling to find consistency in their own games or lacking in game strategy.

3-Batting positions the crucial numbers 6-7-8 have been the other biggest weak link for Zimbabwe and good batters there are required who can competently - either occupy the crease hitting singles,doubles or boundaries if necessary.Mire is someone who could do well at 6/7 I think.He also needs to bowl as he could be a genuine all rounder Zimbabwe desperately needs. With more hard work and personal pride - He could be for example the Zimbabwe Dwayne Bravo or Zimbabwe Flintoff.

4-Tendai Chisoro never played in preparation matches in SA,Bangladesh and got the one game in the Afghanistan ODI series.He has really been like a tourist and no wonder he struggled to settle in the 5th ODI.He could have been tried or played earlier.He could be a good bowler for Zimbabwe but I wonder if he will be ready for the March 2018 qualifiers.He suffered from indiscipline before and was suspended by ZC at one time but he gets on well with current Zimbabwe Head of selectors Tatenda Taibu and he needs to use that to his advantage,work hard and stay focused.He could also benefit from some work with Ray Price.

5-Ryan Burl like PJ Moor struggled with the bat in the middle order,he could have been tried as an opener maybe.He does bowl some good wrist spin and could be a useful bowler for Zimbabwe in future.

6-Malcolm Waller also struggled for confidence,he has been effective before at batting at 7/8 but seems out of form,hopefully he will regain his form soon and improve his overall batting average of 19 for a specialist batter with a good number of international games under his belt.

7-A lot of pressure is on Hamilton Masakadza,Brendan Taylor,Sikandar Raza,Craig Ervine to do well every game but others need to step up.Masakadza has potential to be a specialist T20 player in the long run but Zimbabwe currently needs him to fire in the 50 over game as he is an important player opening.

8-The fielding is ok but needs to improve more.Zimbabwe has always shown pride with fielding and we should be more sharp in our fielding and athleticism.

9- The inside information current Afghanistan world class coach Phil Simmons has or gets on Zimbabwe having worked there till his unfair sacking without pay and money owed to him to date in the mid 2000s played a part in Zimbabwe’s 2018 series loss I’m sure.He still has many good friends from Zimbabwe.There is great need for ZC to get Inside information from other nations.

10-The players Zimbabwe Cricket fraternity has been asking in February 2018 to be brought into the National team are not involved in organised well managed professional cricket or set ups in Zimbabwe other than just having a name tag 'professional cricketer'.Currently,some are probably on the lash drunk to the eyeball due to no cricket matches.Cephas Zhuwao alongside years of neglect by selectors,spends more time as a bodyguard for Prophet Walter Magaya rather than playing cricket in Zimbabwe as there is no or not enough cricket being played-you cannot blame him,he may surely get more money guarding the man of God rather than playing cricket yet he is the next best limited overs cricketer on the fringes of Zimbabwe National Team call up.Many others are in that boat-God knows where talented Nathan Waller is playing cricket at present including others like Luke Jongwe,Donald Tiripano,Chamu Chibhabha,Vusi Sibanda,Regis Chakabva is rightfully spending more time at the church praying instead of playing cricket,Foster Mtizwa spends more time trying hard to earn a living in Harare rather than playing club or first class cricket as there is not enough cricket for potential international Zimbabwe cricket players.These are all the next top Zimbabwe Cricket players on the fringes or in the Zimbabwe A Side With perceived bits and pieces professional contracts - SO how can they be ready when asked for Zimbabwe national duty???????
A careful analysis of this shows some serious chaos,disorganisation at ZC level that maybe evident very soon or in a few years from now when things hit rock bottom or if grassroots and club cricket and first class structures are not professionally run in Zimbabwe .Zimbabwe players are now wanting to play in the well run Afghanistan domestic league and get good money,but not one Afghanistan player wants to play in Zimbabwe - why???So who is better organised???or is more likely to have a better team??? or better results????

11 - The ZC board is stuffed/bloated with some incompetent and corrupt people with no cricket credentials but political appointees to keep others in power and eat money from the same pot-how can they be trusted to make cricket decisions???

All the best to all Zimbabwe players in the March 2018 WC Qualifiers.I hope Zimbabwe can make it otherwise it will be the greatest setback in the history of Zimbabwe Cricket.

Thank you,
Political commentator,Zimbabwe cricket fan and former Zimbabwean Cricket player/Coach,

Patrick Kudzayi Gada

Just quoting this post so people see it (it's on the previous page because it was only just approved). The perspective of a former FC player.

[PGada]

CC - Current ZC Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani,Current Zimbabwe Minister of Sport,Ladies and gentlemen,Zimbabwe Cricket Family,

On Mon 19th February 2018 Zimbabwe lost the ODI series to Afghanistan in the UAE 4-1 and the T20 series 2-0.With the 2019 World Cup Qualifiers taking place in Zimbabwe in March 2018,there are some serious issues/concerns to highlight or put across as food for thought for Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC).

1 - Zimbabwe players seemed to have no good plan on how to play high quality spin bowling from Afghanistan in the 2018 January/February Series. With Solomon Mire always going across the line of ball especially using the high risk shot (reverse sweep) time after time and game after game,it showed a lack of confidence to hit the ball down the ground with a more straighter bat path - Like other batters, confidence urgently needs to be restored to him as he is a critical player in the March 2018 WC qualifiers and for Zimbabwe in future.

2- Tarisai Musakanda was out of international cricket for a while and one could see he wasn’t ready for the challenge vs Afghanistan having been brought in late for the tour and batting at 3 he didn’t seem to have enough time for the ball to play the Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran as well as the timing or power to beat the infield in the first 10 overs with only 2 fielders allowed outside the 30 yard circle.He needs more work/time in First class and at least regular A side cricket (He does bowl nice dibbly dobbers).However,the main problem is that with hardly much first class cricket in Zimbabwe in 2017/18 as well as last season 2016/17 due cancellations by ZC incompetence and money mismanagement one wonders how players are expected to be match ready at anytime????In addition,Musakanda as a young inexperienced player cannot get good advice if senior players are themselves struggling to find consistency in their own games or lacking in game strategy, and this could be done by coaching stuff but when you are out on the field in action and have to think quickly on your feet,he will need to rely on senior players for advice.

3-Batting positions 6-7 have been the other biggest weak link for Zimbabwe and good batters there are required who can either competently occupy the crease hitting singles,doubles or boundaries if necessary.Mire could do well at 6/7 I think.He also needs to bowl as he could be a genuine all rounder Zimbabwe desperately needs. With more hard work and personal pride - He could be for example be the Zimbabwe Dwayne Bravo or Zimbabwe Flintoff.

4-Tendai Chisoro sadly never played in preparation matches in SA,Bangladesh between December 2017/February 2018 and got the one game in the Afghanistan ODI series (5th ODI).He has really been like a tourist in the last 2 months and no wonder he struggled to settle in the 5th ODI.He could have been tried or played earlier.He could be a good bowler for Zimbabwe but I wonder if he will be ready for the March 2018 qualifiers.He suffered from indiscipline before and was suspended by ZC at one time but he gets on well with current Zimbabwe Head of selectors Tatenda Taibu and he needs to use that to his advantage,work hard and stay focused.He could also benefit from some work with Ray Price.

5-Ryan Burl like PJ Moor struggled with the bat in the middle order,Burl could have been tried as an opener maybe.He does bowl some good wrist spin and could be a useful bowler for Zimbabwe in future.Moor needs to keep working hard on his game as he does show potential and that will greatly help to improve his overall batting average of 17.

6-Malcolm Waller also struggled for confidence,he has been effective before at batting at 7/8 but seems out of form,hopefully he will regain his form soon and improve his overall batting average of 19 for a specialist batter with a good number of international games under his belt.

7-A lot of pressure is on Hamilton Masakadza,Brendan Taylor,Sikandar Raza,Craig Ervine to do well every game but others need to step up.Masakadza has potential to be a specialist T20 player in the long run but Zimbabwe currently needs him to fire in the 50 over game as he is an important player opening.

8-The fielding is fine but needs to improve more.Zimbabwe has always shown pride with their fielding and we should be more sharp in our fielding and athleticism.

9- The inside information current Afghanistan world class coach Phil Simmons has or gets on Zimbabwe having worked there till his unfair sacking without pay and money owed to him to date in the mid 2000s played a part in Zimbabwe’s 2018 series loss I’m sure.He still has many good friends from Zimbabwe.There is great need for ZC to get Inside information from other nations.

10-The players Zimbabwe Cricket fraternity has been asking in February 2018 to be brought into the National team are not involved in organised well managed professional cricket or set ups in Zimbabwe other than just having a name tag 'professional cricketer'.Currently,some are probably on the lash drunk to the eyeball due to no cricket matches.Cephas Zhuwao alongside years of neglect by selectors,spends more time as a bodyguard for Prophet Walter Magaya rather than playing cricket in Zimbabwe as there is no or not enough cricket being played-you cannot blame him,he may surely get more money guarding the man of God rather than playing cricket yet he is the next best limited overs cricketer on the fringes of Zimbabwe National Team call up.Many others are in that boat-God knows where talented Nathan Waller is playing cricket at present including others like Luke Jongwe,Tymcen Maruma,Murray,Mutombodzi,Mavuta,Donald Tiripano,Chamu Chibhabha,Vusi Sibanda,Regis Chakabva is rightfully spending more time at the church praying instead of playing cricket,Foster Mtizwa spends more time trying hard to earn a living in Harare rather than playing club or first class cricket as there is not enough cricket for potential international Zimbabwe cricket players.These players are all the next top and future Zimbabwe Cricket players on the fringes or in the Zimbabwe A side with perceived bits and pieces professional contracts - SO how can they be ready when asked for Zimbabwe national duty???????
A CLOSE and careful analysis of this shows some serious chaos,disorganisation at ZC level that will harm current and future generations and that maybe highly evident very soon or in a few years from now when things hit rock bottom or if grassroots and club cricket and first class structures are not professionally run in Zimbabwe .Zimbabwe players are now wanting to play in the well run Afghanistan domestic league and get good money,but not one Afghanistan player wants to play in Zimbabwe - why???So who is better organised???or is more likely to have a better team??? or better results????Like I have said for years,Sean Williams is a crucial and most valuable player for Zimbabwe but it a pity he was left out of the team from December 2017 due to unclear circumstances and then sadly injured/broke his finger in January 2018.He will only have screws removed in his finger on the 28th of February and will not be fully ready to play in the WC qualifiers in March 2018.Bangladesh in the last 10 years has overtaken Zimbabwe Cricket in performance and organisation as well as domestic structure set up.Afghanistan despite years of tribulation and warring have are now doing the same at a fast rare.

11 - The ZC board is stuffed/bloated with some incompetent and corrupt people with no cricket credentials but political appointees to keep others in power and eat money from the same pot-how can they be trusted to make cricket decisions???Many in this current ZC board have for years created the mess and they could never find the solution to the pollution unless more competent people are tasked to make decisions for Zimbabwe Cricket.Whether Zimbabwe make it or does not make it for the crucial 2019 England World Cup - The time for serious action again I will say it again is NOW before things go off the rail.

All the best to all Zimbabwe players in the March 2018 WC Qualifiers.I hope Zimbabwe can make it for the 2019 England Cricket World Cup otherwise it will be the greatest setback in the history of Zimbabwe Cricket.

Thank you,
Political commentator,Zimbabwe cricket fan and former Zimbabwean Cricket player/Coach,

Patrick Kudzayi Gada

WhatsApp - 00447712339722
Twitter - PatrickGada1
Facebook - Patrick Kudzayi

[Kriterion_BD]

I thought I read here there was a semi?

Eek. That makes it harder.

I think it’ll be windies and either the Afghans/us/Ireland or the Dutch as smokies.

We next I prepare pace type pitches to negate Afghanistan when they play, so they drop a game or two. That plays into Ireland’s favour.

I hope the crowd really get behind the boys

Yeah just checked Cricinfo's schedule for the tourney...no semi-finals. 9 super 6 matches ending on the 23rd followed immediately by the final on the 25th.

Works better for the teams because in essence the Super 6s is like an extended semi-final across 5 games (points carry over from 2 group games). The best team is guaranteed to go forward and even if a team chokes under pressure, they have 4 chances at recovery.

Here's how I put ZIM's chances against the likely Super 6 stagers:

West Indies: 50-50 (ZIM has a 1-0-1 record against them from the last 2 games played vs WI, so that will boost their chances)
Afghanistan: 35-65 (Given how easily the AFGs dismissed the ZIMs, only reason its not 20-80 - as a 4-1 series thrashing equates - is because ZIM will be at home, and the AFGs still can't bat like an elite side yet SMH).
Ireland: 40-60 (ZIM have a 4-2 record vs IRE head to head in ZIM, but the Irish have a undefeated 2-0-1 record in ICC events all time, and have pulled off two tight wins in clutch situations).

Just from these 3 games, ZIM only have to win 2, and you reckon as close as the 4 teams are to one another that no one team will go through without at least 1 defeat against the others, NRR will play a factor. So picking the two most likely wins, you get 0.5*0.4 = 20% chance according to my estimate. Which is very close to BRMT's 25%.

Although I will be rooting for Nepal (perhaps even against the Afghans - they could use a humbling loss IMO), I really can't see Nepal beating ZIM. ZIM might struggle against their spinners, but the Nepal won't have a clue against Cremer or even Raza/Williams.

[Googly]

Why was Phil Simmons sacked as Zim coach, I can’t tecall the circumstances.
It matters who are on the coaching staff, but it’s unlikely to change the outcome, as I said earlier- the sacrificial lambs must be the ZC hierarchy.

[jaybro]

So no semi finals ?

Not good for Zimbabwe I was banking on just scrapping intot the semis then hopefully getting lucky

[ZIMDOGGY]

I thought I read here there was a semi?

Eek. That makes it harder.

I think it’ll be windies and either the Afghans/us/Ireland or the Dutch as smokies.

We next I prepare pace type pitches to negate Afghanistan when they play, so they drop a game or two. That plays into Ireland’s favour.

I hope the crowd really get behind the boys

I doubt 200 people at Bulawayo Athletic Club will intimidate the Afghani's.

We've dug ourselves quite the hole. Honestly, we just need to hope that when we play Ireland and Afg we pull the rabbit out of the hat both times. Assuming each game is a 50/50, and I think best case scenario that is true... we have a 25% chance of qualifying (which feels about accurate to me).

i meant as in if thousands show up.

wiith nothing else of any note happening in the city, why not come down and rally the players!

[strikerlube]

I’m worries that the Windies will have a total explosion and lose against Afghanistan in the super 6s before getting their shit together. If something like that happens we’re basically automatically gone.

The unpredictablility of all these teams makes it an absolute nightmare for predictions.

[Kriterion_BD]

i meant as in if thousands show up.

wiith nothing else of any note happening in the city, why not come down and rally the players!

Most third world kids grow up to sound of roosters crowing or cows mooing. Afghan kids grow up to the sound of F-16s breaking the sound barrier...partly due to circumstance and partly due to culture, being fazed by adversity is an alien concept to them.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Good to read that passionate post from Patrick Gada.

As an aside, this might also matter significantly during the qualifiers: Where would the only super sopper in the country be during the qualifiers? Harare or Bulawayo?

[Kriterion_BD]

So no semi finals ?

Not good for Zimbabwe I was banking on just scrapping intot the semis then hopefully getting lucky

I think its better for ZIM. If the pressure of all those 2-2 tied series against Afghanistan is high, imagine a must-win semi-final.

Of course the QF, SF, Final system is a decent one. But it leaves too much up to things like weather, Duckworth Lewis, poor umpiring decisions in a sport like cricket where certain teams are almost guaranteed to make it to the semifinal purely for commercial reasons.

Allowing the top two of 6 teams based on points accumulated over 5 games is a very fair system because what if one team loses due to Duckworth Lewis, or poor light? What if one team just has a bad day despite dominating the rest of the tournament? Taking the top 2 sides after they have all played 5 games against each other is arguably better than a semifinal system.