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The much awaited t20 series is up and running. Though it hasnt reached many people's expectations it's still promising. One thing that i cant stop asking myself is why did Vusi leave so early? As a Rhinos and Zim fan surely with such bowlers as Tait around would have loved to see Vusi play against them. I believe it could have added a thing or two to his experience with out and out pace bowlers (Not to say that there are no pace bowlers down there but experienced ones). I believe Vusi should have waited for this series. Letmi know what are your thoughts!

It puzzled me at the time why he left Zimbabwe. I certainly agree that facing Tait and Nannes etc would surely have been beneficial to him.

Of our regular Test guys, Price & Taylor have as expected been great, Hami has rediscovered some form, but the rest have been average to bad. Any better performances going forward won't really change that assessment much. We can only wait to see if Meth's excellence will be rewarded! Taibu&Mpofu have missed out, while the next best batsman who can be considered for a Test slot - Ewing isn't taking part as well. So I don't think this T20 has been that great for our guys considering that overseas players have packed, and relatively failed, in the key positions they've monopolised.

The Rhinos will only have 6xT20s, 1xLogan Cup, 1xPro50 prior to the NZ tour game.

Brendan Taylor will play 10 T20 matches (and MAYBE a maximum of 3x50over matches between the end of our T20 comp and the start of their T20 comp).

In comparison to most of the other players, including Taylor, Vusi probably has the best deal because he has/will partake in a guaranteed 2xT20s, 1x2days and 4x50over games in that time.

Tait would've taught him a great deal in the nets if he got his radar right, but judging from his wayward bowling so far in the competition, Vusi probably stood a better chance of picking up an injury than a chance to learn how to fend off those deadly yorkers o fhis. While some overs from Nannes would've been great as well, at most he would have faced a few balls - no doubt failing to last beyond one if Nannes got it on the mark, as has been the case with most quality batsmen in the past.

So in answer to your question I'd say from Vusi's perspective it was good timing. He's batted well for us in all formats leading up to his depature so his spot is secure and we are satisfied with his ability to deliver. Our competition is turning out to be of low value, judging by performances and other absentees, and it's been frustrated by wet weather, while he wouldn't have played that many games had he stayed.

From our national team perspective that's equally true. Vusi gets some time 'off' to go on holiday, and probably earn more than he would have if he had played, so his mind will be recharged and no doubt wlil have benefitted from ideas he would have shared with other players from a broader superior dimension, who eat-sleep&breathe the game. I suspect he will be raring to go and will no doubt be among our best performing batsmen, if not the best!

However, that all depends on whether he will play for Zim against NZ. Coach Alan Butcher seemed to give the impression that we need not worry........

hhm- Well spoken there. Surely our tourney has not turned out to be what we would have wanted, also apart from Coventry's 44*, non of the local batsmen have done anything. I just wonder what's going on, is it the wheather? One thing that i would want to see come January against New Zealand is a better Vusi since he has gone to improve. But i still believe he should have played this tourney, all the same you have put it well and i?m almost with you there, because his move is one that will benefit Zimbabwe not my Rhinos though, anything that will help the red and white i'm for it. With Taylor going to New Zealand i hope these moves will help improve our batsmen.

http://www.sydneygrade.nsw.cricket.com. ... player.asp

latest stats for Vusi......

hhm, thanks for the brutally honest assessment and fp thank you for finding time to get those stats.
I think Vusi would feel he has missed out on a really good tournament but like hhm said perhaps he is safely away from Nannes and Meth. I always wondered why Zim batsman looked and played without confidence when playing odi's and this tournament answers that question really. All the real performers have raised their hand when the level of competition has been raised and the passengers have remained where they are. Where does Vusi fall we never know.

What they do from here on in will do little to change that impression.

Have to agree with most of Hhm's comments there.

except i think there's still room for Waller, Ervine and Mutizwa (i'm still holding out for that Test call up) to show what they can do - particulalry the last two who've done little wrong in this tourny and still have time 'going forward' to impress

I agree.I should be more specific when making a blanket statement like that in the future.

Waller, Ervine and Mutizwa are not passengers or liabilities. They have not had the right conditions to perform yet.

Ervine is going alright