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I've been highly impressed with the amount of talent we have, particularly some who've been on show in this T20 competition. A number of these youngsters continue to show form in our domestic competitions, so their performances when surrounded by top internationals as well as decent overseas professionals, proves that they are no fluke! 6-7 years from now we can already see that if our progress is maintained, then by the time these youngsters peak at about 26-28 years of age Zim will be very competitive internationally as a test side.

It's a pity that not only our top mature professionals, but some of these youngsters as well have been sidelined in this competition.

A plus on the side of the administrators is that pushing for greater representation in the sport in Zimbabwe, will be reflected as a success that the likes of South Africa(& maybe England) will envy.

The key now is to ensure that they are put together in regular camps, and perhaps given a chance to play against our franchises. Playing against sides like Kenya, Namibia and other associates etc, wouldn't be a bad idea either!

NEXT GENERATION
1Kevin Kasuza 19 (batsman)
2Roy kaia 20 (allrounder)
3Gary Chirimuuta 20(batsman)
4Peter Moor 21 (batsman)
5Solomon Mire 22 (captain, allrounder)
6Nathan Waller 20(allrounder)
7Kudzai Sauramba 20 (wk)
8Natsai Mushangwe (legbreak)/Tinotenda mutombodzi 21 (legbreak)
9Simon Mugava 21 (offbreak)-Watch out Pro!/Tatenda manatsa 22 (seamer)
10Richard Muzhange 21 (seamer)
11calum price 20 (seamer)

This is what the Test XI can possibly look like, but most of you guys who are familiar with these players can adapt it accordingly. Never before could I have agreed to having more than one spinner, but a lot of these batsmen are very capable seamers so we can afford to go a frontline seamer short and have a variation of frontline spinners. Unlike our current test team, here there's a huge potential to bat up to number 9 like Eng. Hopefully the coaches can work with them with that in mind.

Slightly older and will probably be the seniors after the current Taibu-Hamilton-Vusi group fades away......
tafadzwa kamungozi 24(leggie)
roland benade 24 (batsman, part-time seamer)
mark mbofana 24 (allrounder)
prince masvaure 24 (allrounder)
remembrance nyathi (allrounder)

Left out:
Brian Vitori
Age: 21
Left arm fast-medium

Kyle Jarvis
Age: 22
Right arm fast

Keegan Meth
Age: 23
Right arm medium/ Right hand lower order bat

Njabulo Ncube
Age: 22
Right arm fast medium

Richmond Mtumbami
Age: 22
Right hand bat/Wicketkeeper

And tendai chitara. I think hhm was looking beyond the current players in the national side, more at the lads who have just broke into first class cricket pal

takleg wrote:Left out:
Richmond Mtumbami
Age: 22
Right hand bat/Wicketkeeper

I thought I'd put him ahead of Sauramba in my list, probably forgot him then. At least I acknowledged that he's a force to be reckoned with early into the current domestic season so he won't feel agrieved towards me if he stumbles upon this forum!

Sloandog is right. I didn't forget the others. They are very much present not future. In any case, I doubt they'll be the future 6-7 years from now though. Zim is quickly developing a habit of ditching quality. If Rainsford of all people can be sidelined from at least out Test squad, then I doubt these others will last beyond four or five years. I have a very strong feeling that after we host Bangladesh in August next year, the attack to face Pakistan 5 months later will be different. I'm sure Ban will have another 3 quality batsmen to complement Rahim, Tamim&Sakib, and having been here before they won't take us lightly, so the consequences might be decisive for some of our young bowlers.

Chatara's played a few XI matches already. But will definitely form part of the next generation. However, with him in mind, we should all consider how Meth has been handled. Such a standout bowler hasn't had the deserved opportunities. Vitori did reasonably well against Aus XI and thus 'earned' his spot, but Jarvis was GIVEN the spot ahead of Meth, he didn't earn it ahead of Meth(believe it or not, at the time I argued in favor of the selectors for obvious reasons - much to FP's disgust). Likewise we can expect some of these youngsters to never really get a look in, especially when you consider that even Ncube edged Chatara (to the ODI spot which booked him a false ticket to the Test XI), not to mention Meth. Muzhange's performances aren't doing those two any favours either. Our loose national coaches are probably hooked! Expect more twists!

still no 90+ mile per hour bowler, hee

hhm wrote: If Rainsford of all people can be sidelined from at least out Test squad, then I doubt these others will last beyond four or five years.

the one difference is this current lot will get more realistic chances to perform at test level - in the sense that they're playing in semi-sustainable structures, against better domestic opposition, with more mature team-mates and with arguably better coaches. the 'love' Butcher referred to may protect them from the treatment Rainsford has got - though it hasn't protected Meth...

Meth will get his chance fellas. We've only played three tests since our comeback. He looks good and is still performing. He got injured as well, remember. He'll get a go.

I think the current players do have a much better chance of staying in the side. As someone else pointed out we are playing a lot more regular cricket now so there isn't so much time for guys to disappear into oblivion. In the mid 2000s we would ofteng o many months with no meaningful cricket, international or domestic. No wonder players lost form and were wildly inconsistent.

hhm wrote:.... Such a standout bowler hasn't had the deserved opportunities. Vitori did reasonably well against Aus XI and thus 'earned' his spot, but Jarvis was GIVEN the spot ahead of Meth, he didn't earn it ahead of Meth(believe it or not, at the time I argued in favor of the selectors for obvious reasons - much to FP's disgust)....

True that! You Sir have a sharp memory! ...future if we take care of it is indeed bright, and for a pro retro person like your self to say this speaks volumes, I'm excited!

hhm wrote:
... Never before could I have agreed to having more than one spinner, but a lot of these batsmen are very capable seamers so we can afford to go a frontline seamer short and have a variation of frontline spinners......

That is exactly what I meant in our 2+2 (with Price + Utseya/Creamer and Mpofu/Vitori/Meth +Jarvis and Chigs at 7 as an allrounder for surfaces like QSC) v 3+1 debate, and you were very categorical in your disapproval... maybe you just needed time