The final 15

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jimbo
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The final 15

Post by jimbo »

Zhuwawo a surprise pick for Zimbabwe tour

Steven Price in Harare

October 2, 2008

A week of indecision, reportedly while Zimbabwe's national selectors tried to sort out the availability of Brendan Taylor, has ended with the naming of a 15-man squad for the tour of Canada and Kenya. The board has been unable to make contact with Taylor and he doesn't make the trip.

The surprise name is that of 23-year-old Cephas Zhuwawo, a Twenty20 specialist who is not expected to feature on the second leg of the trip to Kenya. In 12 domestic List A matches he has managed only 133 runs at 16.62, but he did enough in three outings against the Pakistan Academy side to earn his call-up.

Zhuwawo, seam bowler Taurai Muzarabani and wicketkeeper-batsman Regis Chakabva are the only uncapped players in the side, although Muzarabani and Chakabva played for Zimbabwe in South Africa's domestic championship last season.

Squad Prosper Utseya (capt), Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tatenda Taibu, Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Keith Dabengwa, Regis Chakabva, Ray Price, Taurai Muzarabani, Chris Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa, Timycen Maruma, Graeme Cremer, Cephas Zhuwawo.

Steven Price is a freelance journalist based in Harare

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brmtaylor.com admin
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Re: The final 15

Post by brmtaylor.com admin »

I think Zhuwawo is a great choice as far as smokey's go... Kasteni was a shock, Marumisa was definitely out of left field, but Zhuwawo has a couple of good performances that back up his selection. I think Bradley Staddon will be the next "surprise" selection, ahead of the Sri Lanka series.

The disappointing thing about that squad is that there's no Ed Rainsford, but otherwise it's not too bad. At least ZC tried to contact Brendan Taylor... the important thing is they tried.

I liked seeing Utseya say in his interview that he wants to thrash Ireland and Kenya and silence them. That's the sort of aggression we need, hopefully Chawaguta is like Robin Brown and not Kevin Curran.

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Re: The final 15

Post by maehara »

brmtaylor.com admin wrote:hopefully Chawaguta is like Robin Brown and not Kevin Curran.
There was an interview Chawaguta gave recently - can't find it right now - where he claimed he was fed up with hiding behind the "rebuilding" and "inexperienced" tags and felt it was time the players stepped up and played consistently to the level they've shown themselves capable of - very much in the Brown mould of being a proper taskmaster.

The only real question mark over him is how he'll handle the political side - he needs to be able to manage how he sees fit, and deal with under-performers without fear of being over-ruled (especially Takashinga players, I suspect), if he's to be a successful coach.

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Re: The final 15

Post by brmtaylor.com admin »

Maybe the Takashingalisation of the team is slowing down anyway, nobody would have questioned the selection of Shingi Masakadza (Tak) over Cephas Zhuwawo (OM), but it did not happen. And looking at the squad list it's hardly like the quotas are going to come into play on this tour.

So for Chawaguta that can only be a good thing, for him I can't see politics being a problem (not for these 2 tours anyway).

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Re: The final 15

Post by andy24 »

i read utseya's imterview on cric info. he seems very cofident and wants to win.

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Re: The final 15

Post by brmtaylor.com admin »

Of course, the big news now is that Taibu has manhandled a female administrator. This is really surprising and disappointing. I'm not sure how big a blowout this story is, The Herald say "manhandled", which isn't exactly assault but still not what you want in a headline either. Lovemore Banda pretty much confirmed The Herald's account of it, so things don't look great for Tatenda.

I doubt he will be dropped from the squad, but if there was some sort of unprovoked intentional physical contact (not really sure how to word it, The Herald were rather vague) he probably should be suspended for a couple of matches. It goes for any player, you don't want this sort of stuff going on... if you wouldn't approach someone on the cricket field in this way, why would it be okay for a (female) administrator? People make mistakes, so there's no need to hang him out to dry or anything, but if the incident did actually involve untoward behaviour (which it sounds like it possibly did) then I think a 3 or 4 match ban would be in order, even if it does weaken an already very weak squad.

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Re: The final 15

Post by jimbo »

I would leave any sort of inquiry till after we return from kenya. It would weaken an already weakened squad to drop him now. If he has to be dropped afterwards for a few matches then let it be. At least we will then have Vusi Sibanda ready for the Sri lanka series coming back from injury

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Re: The final 15

Post by brmtaylor.com admin »

In the past ZC have been quick to take action on players. Tino Mawoyo was stripped of the Zim A captaincy after inviting some girls into his hotel room in Bulawayo last year and then turning up to Queens SC drunk. Brendan Taylor did some pretty stupid things a few years ago and got slapped with a 6 month ban (later reduced). I think Masakadza might have missed (due to a ban) a Logan Cup match because of a clash with another player.

ZC can deal with this quickly if they desired... they say that they don't want to show bias by paying Taibu for bringing his family to Pakistan (God knows why he would want to take his family to Pakistan anyway). It would be showing bias if they didn't deal with this issue promptly like the other players. It's better for Zimbabwe's image to nip this in the bud, rather than sweeping it under the carpet because he's an important player. Andrew Symonds is an important player for Australia, but it demonstrates the professionalism of the Australian unit that they dropped him from the team even though he would have been a matchwinner in the upcoming India series.

Immediate disciplinary action should be taken against Taibu, if indeed the alleged incident was anything like how The Herald made it out to be.

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Re: The final 15

Post by jimbo »

Im sure that regis chakbva will be a big hit especially when it comes to the Tri-series against kenya/Ireland. I predict this lad will definetly go far. He looks to be a classy player and can also score quickly..Im sure he will be better than terry duffin strike wise anyway :lol:

jimbo
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Re: The final 15

Post by jimbo »

Who would be a suitable replacement Batting wise should taibu not make the trip?. I would keep on ringing brendon's mobile phone if I was ZC, Certainly I think consideration should be given to someone like friday kasteni if taibu is slapped with a ban

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