Zim A step up tour preps

[zimfan1]

Zim A step up tour preps

By Eddie Chikamhi

ZIMBABWE A cricket team coach Steve Mangongo is confident that his squad will produce the crop that will help the national team in their quest for a quick return to Test status.

Mangongo is working with the A team, which is Zimbabwe’s second string side, in their preparations for the Intercontinental Cup matches against Netherlands and Canada.

"We are in serious business and we mean it.

"This is part of our roadmap to Test cricket and we use the A side to look at and consider players with the capability to fight for places in the first team.

"We will use the next two weeks that we will be in camp to work on areas that we feel are still lacking.

"We have to work on our technique because if any team is serious about playing Test cricket they must have proper technique.

"You have to make sure that the shot selection is good and the skill factor has to be polished in bowling. The fast bowlers need to hit the right areas with the right pace.

"To win the Test matches you need dependable fast bowlers who take early wickets upfront.

"Our spin is not a big problem because I believe we have world-class spinners," said Mangongo.

The squad has been in camp for the past week and has had an opportunity to engage the expertise of former Olympic judoka Debbie Jeans to work on the players’ mental and psychological stamina.

They also engaged a fitness trainer to help shape up their physical fitness.

Mangongo is being assisted by Heath Streak and they have called up a 15-member squad that combines youth and experience.

MidWest Rhinos opener Vusi Sibanda has been named captain to lead a side that has experienced players such as Ed Rainsford, Sean Williams, Chamu Chibhabha Charles Coventry, Keith Dabengwa and Stuart Matsikenyeri.

Zimbabwe Cricket also young players like Natsai Mushangwe, Shingirai Masakadza and Nathan Waller who are coming from the youth structures.

Mangongo said all the players should be able to justify their inclusion in the team.

"My emphasis is on team approach to matches. We should not rely on one or two individuals for results because in a match we have 11 players representing their country.

"Everyone should execute his role as is expected from him. They know their duties.

"We have been working on each player’s needs on individual basis and that should help them stand on their feet because we will not tolerate excess baggage," said Mangongo.

Zimbabwe will play Netherlands and Canada in two four-day matches beginning later this month. They play Netherlands first from July 25-29 and Canada from August 2-5.

Mangongo said the experience is good for the team as Zimbabwe prepares for a gradual Test return next year.

"We need to create depth in the A side. We want an environment where these guys will fight for places in the senior team.

"Once we have a competitive A side that is as good as the first team then we are in serious business," he said.

http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=21040&cat=5

[Zimfanatic69]

This is a very good squad. I like ranisford and am happy to see him in the mix. it is great to see matsi in the side. he should be in the test squad with his experience.

go zim

[sloandog]

This is a very good squad. I like ranisford and am happy to see him in the mix. it is great to see matsi in the side. he should be in the test squad with his experience.

go zim

I agree in terms of Ed Rainsford......but so disagree with Matskinyeri.
I dont want to see his face again in the national set up for a long time

[jimbo]

Selecting people like matsikenyeri and dabengwa is like rewarding people for failure

[Zimfanatic69]

Selecting people like matsikenyeri and dabengwa is like rewarding people for failure

dabengwa had a great season. matsi is a seasoned pro and an old head. we need both for different reasons.

[eugene]

Selecting people like matsikenyeri and dabengwa is like rewarding people for failure

dabengwa had a great season. matsi is a seasoned pro and an old head. we need both for different reasons.

Matsikenyeri is a seasoned pro at failing. The only advice he could give to younger players is how to stay in the team without scoring any runs. Dabengwa shouldn't be anywhere near the national side - I don't really care what he did domestically. He is proven to not be of international standard.

[eugene]

The information below is taken from a thread of mine analysing Stuart Matsikenyeri. After seeing someone actually think he should be in the national side I thought I should post it as a reminder as to why he isn't up to international standard.



I decided to use statsguru to do some analysis of Stuart Matsikenyeri over his career. I decided to list the important innings he has played for Zimbabwe against full-member opposition.

44 v England at Trent Bridge in 2003 (helped bring Zimbabwe home against England)
41 v Pakistan at Peshawar in 2004 (we lost the match but he opened the batting and helped get us to a competitive total)
73 v England at Bulawayo in 2004 (losing effort but helped get off to a good start)
89 v Bangladesh at Harare in 2006 (helped win the game)
52 v South Africa at Harare in 2007 ( a useful lower order knock)
55 v West Indies at Harare in 2007 (a good innings in a winning effort)
47 v Bangladesh at Dhaka in 2009 (helped get us home)
86 v South Africa at Benoni in 2009 (didnt win the match but a good innings)


By my estimations and having analysed the scorecards of the matches I didn't remember clearly he has played 8 important innings against full-member opposition in his nearly 8-year career. When I looked at his scores I noticed he has never once been in a consistent vain of form. Only twice has he scored fifties in consecutive innings and only once has he scored two fifties in the same series - against lowly Kenya. He averages under 20 against major opposition (this excludes Bangladesh, Ireland, Kenya) and 22.63 against all opposition.

Despite predominantly being a middle-order batsmen he has only recorded 9 no-outs in 109 ODIs and his strike rate is a pedestrian 72.73.

His T20 record is bad having scored 33 runs in 8 innings at an average of 4.12 at a strike rate of 73.33.

With all this is mind it is clear after 109 ODIs that Stuart Matsikenyeri has never been a consistent performer, fails to adjust his batting to the situation (low strike rate and lack of not-outs), and will generally be considered a disappointment given he seems to have a certain level of ability. The time has come for the selectors to move on from Stuart Matsikenyeri.

[sloandog]

Stuart should not be anywhere near a Zimbabwe team, simple, end of converstaion

[Conant]

Selecting people like matsikenyeri and dabengwa is like rewarding people for failure

In 2007 in Pakistan, Dabengwa once hit 45 off 32 balls including 19 runs in the last over in one of only two matches he featured in; and aside Elton Chigumbura and Sean Williams I dont think anybody rotates strike better, not even Tatenda Taibu.

He could still prove value in that number six position

[Zimfanatic69]

Selecting people like matsikenyeri and dabengwa is like rewarding people for failure

In 2007 in Pakistan, Dabengwa once hit 45 off 32 balls including 19 runs in the last over in one of only two matches he featured in; and aside Elton Chigumbura and Sean Williams I dont think anybody rotates strike better, not even Tatenda Taibu.

He could still prove value in that number six position

dabengwa is a squad player at best.