Tri-Series: The Lessons
Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 5:51 pm
We've had a great series, Taylor and the batting line-up is beginning to settle for the world cup. Today we could've easily posted 250, not enough to win given Dilshan's mood, but it shows our brittle line-up is toughening. Taylor's catch was brilliant just as he was loosening up. Taibu showed ingenuity and thinking on his feet, he hasn't had time to settle down like that for a while. So, our top 3 is set, no need to tinker with it except for injury, IMO.
Which brings me to Lamb. He did exceedingly well to support Taibu today but he resulted in too many dot balls, just when we needed quick rotations. Is he selected for: a) being part of our spin quartet or b) a batter with a good technique sent in to prevent a collapse but with a low strike rate? It can't be both because his strike rate invalidates him as a good allrounder. I'd have thought Chigs is our allrounder, even though his bowling pace is too gentle for the new ball. I like Lamb, his bowling secures his place if our strategy is 4 spinners, 1 seamer & 1 allrounder. This strategy surprised both Bangladesh and WI, but both teams eventually recovered to beat us 4-1; it also surprised Australia in the T20 world cup warm up. I think we should use it as our surprise weapon, under certain conditions. This way, our squad must always have Lamb.
I'm also not too concerned about the middle order, which is a nice feeling given our history with the Zimbabwe Collapse. Any of Coventry, Chigumbura, Ervine, Chibhabha, Blignaut (hell I'd throw in Sibanda, Mutizwa, Vermuelen, Williams and Matsikenyeri - I know, I know) can come into the side and perform.
This leaves my only area of concern: attack. Price, Utseya and Cremer secure places on the basis of being world class spinners. We don't have a world class seamer; Mpofu gets in coz he's currently the best of the lot but Shingirai Masakadza and other youngsters must get a look in very soon. In the meantime Bliggie and Chigs fulfil the medium pace needs. However, because we're boxed in, I feel a debate that should've happened is not taking place. We will lose more games than win if we persist with 3 or even 4 spinners in every match. I really believe that. Unfortunately if I'm right then 2 or even 3 of our top class spinners will have to sit out many matches; being replaced by novice seamers like Jarvis. But if we don't play the likes of Jarvis now, they'll still find international cricket tough when they eventually break into the side. The counter argument is that our domestic standards are improving, let them learn there while they wait for Price and Utseya to retire. In the meantime the spin quartet should continue, maybe we'll survive on the 'death by spin' strategy till we get Test matches again.
Whew!
Which brings me to Lamb. He did exceedingly well to support Taibu today but he resulted in too many dot balls, just when we needed quick rotations. Is he selected for: a) being part of our spin quartet or b) a batter with a good technique sent in to prevent a collapse but with a low strike rate? It can't be both because his strike rate invalidates him as a good allrounder. I'd have thought Chigs is our allrounder, even though his bowling pace is too gentle for the new ball. I like Lamb, his bowling secures his place if our strategy is 4 spinners, 1 seamer & 1 allrounder. This strategy surprised both Bangladesh and WI, but both teams eventually recovered to beat us 4-1; it also surprised Australia in the T20 world cup warm up. I think we should use it as our surprise weapon, under certain conditions. This way, our squad must always have Lamb.
I'm also not too concerned about the middle order, which is a nice feeling given our history with the Zimbabwe Collapse. Any of Coventry, Chigumbura, Ervine, Chibhabha, Blignaut (hell I'd throw in Sibanda, Mutizwa, Vermuelen, Williams and Matsikenyeri - I know, I know) can come into the side and perform.
This leaves my only area of concern: attack. Price, Utseya and Cremer secure places on the basis of being world class spinners. We don't have a world class seamer; Mpofu gets in coz he's currently the best of the lot but Shingirai Masakadza and other youngsters must get a look in very soon. In the meantime Bliggie and Chigs fulfil the medium pace needs. However, because we're boxed in, I feel a debate that should've happened is not taking place. We will lose more games than win if we persist with 3 or even 4 spinners in every match. I really believe that. Unfortunately if I'm right then 2 or even 3 of our top class spinners will have to sit out many matches; being replaced by novice seamers like Jarvis. But if we don't play the likes of Jarvis now, they'll still find international cricket tough when they eventually break into the side. The counter argument is that our domestic standards are improving, let them learn there while they wait for Price and Utseya to retire. In the meantime the spin quartet should continue, maybe we'll survive on the 'death by spin' strategy till we get Test matches again.
Whew!