But Zimbabwe have also beaten Bangladesh in identical conditions!
Good thoughts nonetheless. Has Jarvis officially retired???
For a series in Asia against AFG this is a good working 15 - obviously with COVID you will probably need a squad of at least 18-20 to cover for injuries.
Openers:
Chari, Kasuza, Masvaure
Middle Order bats:
Taylor, Ervine, Williams, Raza, Madhevere,
WKs:
Chakabva, Mutumbami
Spinners:
Chisoro, Mavuta
Seamers:
Chatara, Blessing, Mpofu
I picked Chari ahead of Prince because I think Chari is a far fitter player and thus more likely to play a long innings. I also don't think Prince is significantly better than Chari. That being said, an extra specialist opener is probably warranted.
Yes Zimbabwe did beat Bangladesh, but Taijul & what ever that idiot who did the cobra when he got a wicket name was are not the same beast as Rashid & co.
No need for 3 specialist test openers when you’re going to likely face spin 95% of the time. IMO I wouldn’t play either Kasuza or Masvaure, I’d open with Wes & Ervine and play Shumba & Burl down at 6 & 7.
Mpofu won’t be in the squad and as I said you can’t trust Chatara to get through a test match in such conditions when you’re only picking 2 seamers.
It will be a spin fest so For me 2 things have to be done. First thing is that like we saw Against Bangladesh, Raza and Williams will be threats as would Burl and Chisoro. Second thing is to play guys who have experience against Afghanistan and can play spin. This is where somebody like PJ comes into the mix
This would be my team
PJ
Raza (he has opened before)
Ervine
BT
Williams
Wes
Chakabva(wk)
Burl/Tiripano
Chisoro
Blessing
Ngarava
I honestly don’t see us needing more than 2 pace bowlers but if they insist on a third then Tiripano over Burl. I think Ngarava has potential from what I saw in Pakistan and he is a leftie so he is different. Chatara needs to improve on his fitness.
It is absolutely critical we pack the team will left arm bowlers because they only had 2 lefties in their last test squad against Afghanistan. That is where they can catch them out. I trust Williams, Chisoro and Ngarava to do the job. I’m also basing my selections on them not surprising us and convincing one of the imports to play for us. Snater is the main guy I’m thinking about.
I think it will go ahead. In fact I think Zim domestic activities will resume soon. Kirsty Coventry couldn’t say I’m banning all sports besides cricket. Cricket is the only sport with enough money to run a bubble.
Yes Zimbabwe did beat Bangladesh, but Taijul & what ever that idiot who did the cobra when he got a wicket name was are not the same beast as Rashid & co.
Jeez Louise, did Nazmul Islam Apu get a Test cap this year vs ZIM??? Fuck me. We just give them out. I can't stand that guy either or that cobra monstrosity.
Yeah the ZIM wrist spinners are going to be a challenge.
Don't know why ppl hate it, personally I love the Cobra (Naagin in hindi) dance. Always love to see some entertaining charecters out there on the field. That's his way of celebrating.
Although I can understand the thinking behind Taps's and jaybro's line-ups Kasuza deserves another chance. I know we don't have any continuity in our Test team anyway, but his omission would be beyond cruel.
Although I can understand the thinking behind Taps's and jaybro's line-ups Kasuza deserves another chance. I know we don't have any continuity in our Test team anyway, but his omission would be beyond cruel.
I like Kasuza but I think against Afghanistan you need good players of spin, Kasuza plays with very hard hands & although he doesn’t look terrible against spin, he isn’t as suited to playing a long innings against quality spin IMO
I like TaspC’s side but I wouldn’t open with Raza, if he’s going to bowl a lot of overs let him rest up a bit. Also hopefully he reverts to his original off spinning action for the tests.
Wes
Ervine
BT
Williams
Burl
Raza
Shumba
Regis wk
Chisoro
Blessing
Ngarava
Don't know why ppl hate it, personally I love the Cobra (Naagin in hindi) dance. Always love to see some entertaining charecters out there on the field. That's his way of celebrating.
Not for me I’m sorry, I don’t mind Rashid doing his airplane run after a wicket, but he’s a genuine star player who has earned the right to be a bit flashy with his celebration
Nazmul (?) has taken a couple of wickets against Zimbabwe ffs and we haven’t seen him again.
Rashid is good but he hasn’t done all that well in internationals. Most of his wickets are from IPL, BBL, and against Associate teams in ODIs. He hasn’t really ever run through India or Australia or even South Africa I don’t think.