What is Zim's greatest of All Time XI for Tests?

[sloandog]

Do we reckon there's ever going to be a minute hope of one final hurrah?

[zimbos_05]

Here's my All Time XI for Tests:

1. Grant Flower
2. Hamilton Masakadza
3. Murray Goodwin
4. Brendan Taylor
5. Andy Flower
6. Dave Houghton (c)
7. Tatenda Taibu (wk)
8. Paul Strang
9. Heath Streak
10. Kyle Jarvis
11. Tendai Chatara

12th man: Sikandar Raza

All Time XI for Odi's

1. Grant Flower
2. Hamilton Masakadza
3. Murray Goodwin
4. Brendan Taylor
5. Andy Flower wk
6. Dave Houghton (c)
7. Neil Johnson
8. Paul Strang
9. Heath Streak
10. Ray Price
11. Henry Olonga

12th man: Sikandar Raza

As much of a servant he has been, don't see how Hammy gets in these teams as a starter.

[sloandog]

ODI's

1. Neil Johnson
2. Alastair Campbell
3. Murray Goodwin
4. Brendan Taylor (Wkt)
5. Andy Flower
6. Dave Houghton (Cpt)
7. Duncan Fletcher
8. Heath Streak
9. Graeme Cremer (I think he's a better bowler than Strang, at the very least just as good, and a better batter).
10. Kyle Jarvis
11. Peter Rawson

12th man: Sean Ervine

[Andybligzz]

Odis 1. N.Johnson 2.G.Flower 3. M.Goodwin 4. A. Flower 5.B.Taylor 6. S.Ervine 7. T.Taibu ( wk ) 8. A.Blignaut 9. H.Streak 10 . G.Cremer 11. H.Olonga

[sloandog]

Olonga was so over rated

[TapsC]

ODI's

1. Neil Johnson
2. Alastair Campbell
3. Murray Goodwin
4. Brendan Taylor (Wkt)
5. Andy Flower
6. Dave Houghton (Cpt)
7. Duncan Fletcher
8. Heath Streak
9. Graeme Cremer (I think he's a better bowler than Strang, at the very least just as good, and a better batter).
10. Kyle Jarvis
11. Peter Rawson

12th man: Sean Ervine

I dont know about Jarvis being in the ODI 11. He has a bowling average of 40 in ODIs. Olonga actually has a better ODI record than him

[sloandog]

Going off his past year. If we're going off stats then Mupariwa should really be in the mix. Brandes could be a good shout actually.

Yea, I'll replace Jarv with Biffo Brandes

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Here's my All Time XI for Tests:

1. Grant Flower
2. Guy Whittall
3. Murray Goodwin
4. Brendan Taylor
5. Andy Flower
6. Dave Houghton (c)
7. Tatenda Taibu (wk)
8. Paul Strang
9. Heath Streak
10. Kyle Jarvis
11. Tendai Chatara

12th man: Sikandar Raza

Taibu was a good player, but I don't think he makes the all time XI in either Tests or ODIs.

[TapsC]

Test xi

Hami
AC
Grant Flower
Goodwin
Andy Flower
Dave Houghton
BT(WK)
Whittall
Streak
Strang
Jarvis

Odi xi

Johnson
AC
Grant Flower
BT
Andy Flower
Taibu(wk)
Sean Williams
Streak
Cremer
Ray Price
Chatara

I know Sean Williams and Chatara will be a surprise to many but I would say wait for them to retire and you will see what I mean.

Chatara is 27,broke his leg, missed a year, dropped about 10kph of pace but he has still cracked our top 10 all time ODI wicket takers with 85 from 62 games. Average of 31 with a strike rate of 35. He will cross 100 wickets soon. For a few years after the 2015 WC Chatara was part of a duo who were the most economical bowling pair for the first powerplay in the whole world.

Sean Williams is another interesting case who I think will get a fair judgement when he is done.

You see its very easy to judge somebody who isnt playing anymore. I will give a good example. Had Craig Ervine walked away from ZC at the end of 2016 he would have walked into most people's greatest ODI 11s. His ODI record was very similar to Neil Johnson when he walked away but throughout a career you have ups amd downs.

If the likes of Cremer BT Raza Williams Jarvis and Chatara play for another 5 years they will have a good shot at cracking these greatest teams. I hope they stick around. The rollercoster ride that ZC has put us through deserves a happy ending of a good 2023 World Cup run. Yes, I genuinely believe these guys can play that long and be part of a good story to tell years from now. That journey begins with the ODI league. We just need to get the right mix of youth and killer experience.

Reminds of when Pommie said BT is the greatest ODI player we have ever had. Might sound crazy now but with the way he is effortlessly scoring runs right now I think he will be.

[Googly]

Ya I was a bit peeved when Eddo wasn’t included and then compared his and Chats’ stats, however Eddo did play against better opposition. Hard to leave Henry out, I loved watching that dude bowl, really gave it everything.