I feel better now!

[Boundary]

1. England had a harder time breaking the Sri Lankan opening pair than Zim had (granted they batted better)
2. New Zealand was supremely competitive even against the mighty South Africa
3. In fact, 3 of the semi finalists are from our Group A
4. While Zim lost most of their matches, they were not blown away as they should have (we had a +ve NRR)

Conclusion - the Irish, Bangladeshi and Dutch heroics serve to show that Group B was competitive but that group wasn't competitive against our group. I'd argue their heroics had slightly less meaning in retrospect than our "heroic capitulations" - we were beaten by clinically more efficient sides and the side we gave the most trouble (Aus) isn't in the semis. Zimbabwe's cricket didn't take a step back (compared to beating second string India and Sri Lanka) and the work in progress is sure to show more signs improvement. See, it's more more rosey the further away we get from the world cup ....

I feel better now.

[maehara]

It's a times like this (and for Robin's deconstruction of the Bvute interview yesterday) that I wish the forums had a "like" button.

[hhm]

It certainly does make us feel better Boundary, and if it's a Pak-NZ(ahead of SL) final, there will be more vindication of the true measure of Zim's WC performance. However, if you look closely, judging from your evidence it appears as if we (&the rest of the world) undervalued or don't appreciate the team's success. Granted - Group A has actually turned out to be more quality&competitive rather than simply entertaining, and in hindsight our achievements relatively superior to the other 'minnows' (inc Bangladesh) - but we cannot take away our disappointment at our overall performance. Not because we expect too much, but quite simply that we know we should have done better and pushed those contests more closely.

We proved that in 1999 and actually came to the party - that was no fluke. I believe, with sufficient short-term not necessarily long-term work, work we have/should have enough quality to be a top 6 side both in Tests and ODIs. In ODIs the number of caps some of our core group of guys have, in comparison to 'better' sides, actually means WE should be better side. In fact, with some of the experienced players from the top sides expected to retire from ODIs after this WC or in the next year or so, you might actually find Zim putting out the most experienced ODI team out there! Admittedly some of those caps were gained while the guys should instead have been sratching their backsides as 12th men in club cricket - but history, stats and David Lloyd couldn't be bothered about that!

Certian sections undervalue the quality of our domestic game and ultimately the quality of our national players, but having monitored and observed the domestic game overtime (not just with the recent improvements), we've actually got a highly motivated and more than decent crop of players. Our local cricket is difinitely competitive and good quality. Some of the players we consider average are really giving our national & import players a tough time locally so that's a sign of the quality there. And when you closely consider the Intercontinental Cup, we were superior to our opponents with mainly those average local players and it only took an addition of one or two of our mainstream national players (e.g Taibu, Vusi & Ervine) and they were outclassed. So were are well and trully above the minnows (for me Afg, Ire & Bang included) - which is why we effortlessly cruch the likes of Ken&Can. A sign that we can and should step up a notch and really challenge the top sides.

Surely one has to admit that a present day comparion of Taylor, Taibu, Hamilton, Vusi, Williams & Craig Ervine; to Wishart, Carlisle, Guy, Gavin Rennie, Craig Evans & Trevor Madondo; would have the former edging the latter group hence better results are expected. Surely their combined abilities should more than compensate for the obvious absence of an Andy Flower & Streak in our current side - the only two guys who really made us cause occaional upsets. The current setup is right, and if the selection is correct and consistent, assuming Campbell and co screw their right heads on, we will be fine. Mentally we just need to develop and display the right attitude - be confident and believe we have enough class to deliver at the highest level and that will go a long way. The fact remains, they've put in the time and ore than decent effort has been invested in them, these players must just step up, then we wil not only feel better but elated and satisfied about their performances.

[eugene]

I would be surprised if Zimbabwe is ever a top six side at tests, ODIs maybe possible or T20. The team can no longer claim to be inexperienced - although many of them still play like nervous rookies. I think this is the ultimate problem with the side - most of the players never seem to gain anything from their experience. To me this means that either their is a glass ceiling with our players or that there are fundamental technique issues holding them back from progressing any further.

[hhm]

You have to have targets Eugene, and anything less than six as a target is for me counter-productive. Mark my words, unlike days of recent past, HSC & QSC will be a fortress. Aus will effectively blitz us home&away; SA will despatch us with impunity home&away; it'll be at least 3 or 4 series visits to Eng before we can dignify our performance against the swing onslaught they will have obliterated us with during that time - but we'll share the spoils at home; with the nature of their pitches plus the 'quality' of our spinners - we'll hold India&SL home&away (with Duffin opening I can assure you of it - India's grandads are trickling out & with SL's thin batting order and novice/part-time spinners there's an opening there); As in the beginning, Pak will be generous to us home or neutral - unless it's in Eng; NZ's star players have enough progesterone & go through that 'time of the month' often enough to ensure we'll be able to pick up something; WI will conquer us and crumble to us home&away but ultimately we'll edge them WHEN the players resume another standoff with the board; Ban are simply there for our taking - nothing less will be tolerated. I can definitely see Zim occupying 6, at worst 7.

[eugene]

hhm I certainly like your optimism. I think Bangladesh are only going to get better and Zimbabwe will struggle to match them. At home however I do think we can be competitive against them and the West Indies.

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

NZ's star players have enough progesterone & go through that 'time of the month' often enough to ensure we'll be able to pick up something;

If Kiwis have progesterone than Zim players have enough testosterone to fight it out. Keep the adrenaline flowing Hhm

hhm I certainly like your optimism. I think Bangladesh are only going to get better.

58, 78...we wont mind an improved 98 We are much better than overhyped Bangladesh. Come July-Aug and we all shall see.

[Boundary]

I really like your enthusiasm hhm! Bangladesh are a handful to anyone at home but away they struggle a lot. Last year in England they didn't know what hit them, it was like they'd never met swing bowling before. There's a chance with WI and Pak once in a while (they are both inconsistent, young sides, more-so with WI) but I think everyone underestimates NZ. I'm not sure about India and SL but I think at home against England we gotta have some belief. So in short, the future's bright. Give us 5 years. My point was that a lot of people underestimate our progress in the past two years including the world cup, or overestimate our "minnow" status, and I think we agree on that.