Test XI - Windies series

[secretzimbo]

If we were picking a test team right now then probably;

1
2 Innocent Kaia
3 Ervine
4 Williams
5 Raza
6 Madhevere
7 Madande (Wk)
8 Evans
9 Wellington
10 Ngarava
11 Muzarabani

I’m not sure Ngarava and Evans are particularly locked in in this format yet. Nyauchi is definitely in with a shout with the red ball as is Ernest Masuku, who always gets forgotten but has an excellent record with the red ball especially on the first day in Harare.

Innocent has a good First Class record especially so over the past two years or so, and has looked like he has decent technique and mentality in the ODIs to transfer to test cricket maybe.
The other opener spot is completely wide open. Wes should not and does not open in first class cricket. Same for Shumba. Shumba may have potential there long-term but he bats at like 4 or 5 for Tuskers.
Kaitano has had I think one good innings in his last 20-odd across formats, so unless he goes big in the Logan Cup I think he is out of contention.
Kasuza maybe. We dropped him before remember - has he done much since to regain his place? Again needs a very good Logan Cup.
Marumani ground out a proper classy First Class century last season so maybe he does have another side to him, but probably not yet.

We’ll have to see who opens for the franchises and puts their hand up. Ben Curran could still come into contention if he finds some form.

Madande should get the gloves after an excellent Logan cup last year, but if he doesn’t perform in the next few weeks then they’ll probably revert to Mutumbami.

[Jemisi]

Yeah maybe just go for it with Marumani up top. He's scoring runs, the others aren't brilliant and they're way older.

[jaybro]

Madande is the interesting one for me, coming off a great Logan Cup last year, he’s averaging 41 and he’s already debuted in ODI cricket and he’s been with the t20 squad all season too.

I’m not sure how crisp he is behind the stumps? But if he is as good or better than Regis, and he has another good LC season, we might see him the side. Would also possibly free Regis to bat up the order which I personally think would suit him in Tests.

[Kriterion_BD]

Great thread...would have been great to see a ZIM-AFG series in Harare. Anyway Feb is not too far away...how many Tests to ZIM have in 2023? Bangladesh are only playing 5 because its a World Cup year, with 3 of them being against Afghanistan and Ireland.

Idk if Regis will be available or selected if he is. I think Zimbabwe should try to introduce younger next gen players as the seniors won't be around too much longer. Idk even know who played in the last Test, it was so long ago, but for what its worth here is my squad of 15, with the playing XI first:

1) Kaitano
2) Kasuza
3) Ervine
4) Williams
5) Raza
6) Chakabva/Madande
7) Madhevere
8) Wellington
9) Evans
10) Ngarava
11) Muzarabani

12) Nyauchi
13) Burl
14) Shumba

[zimlover]

Great thread...would have been great to see a ZIM-AFG series in Harare. Anyway Feb is not too far away...how many Tests to ZIM have in 2023? Bangladesh are only playing 5 because its a World Cup year, with 3 of them being against Afghanistan and Ireland.

Idk if Regis will be available or selected if he is. I think Zimbabwe should try to introduce younger next gen players as the seniors won't be around too much longer. Idk even know who played in the last Test, it was so long ago, but for what its worth here is my squad of 15, with the playing XI first:

1) Kaitano
2) Kasuza
3) Ervine
4) Williams
5) Raza
6) Chakabva/Madande
7) Madhevere
8) Wellington
9) Evans
10) Ngarava
11) Muzarabani

12) Nyauchi
13) Burl
14) Shumba

I would drop Wellington for Burl, with Raza,Williams bowling spin. Wellington is a excess to requirements considering Burl can bat. The longer the batting line up the better for us.

[Jemisi]

If Regis doesn't play I'd have Burl at 7 and Madande at 8.

[secretzimbo]

Chakabva won't play, it's clear. He's finished.

As for Burl, why does he always get a free pass and just automatically in peoples teams? In Test cricket I always believe you need a specialist spinner and I don't think Burl's leggies are good enough to hold the attack together for 5 days.

[CalZim]

Chakabva won't play, it's clear. He's finished.

As for Burl, why does he always get a free pass and just automatically in peoples teams? In Test cricket I always believe you need a specialist spinner and I don't think Burl's leggies are good enough to hold the attack together for 5 days.

Is that official now then?

Burl should be in as a specialist batsmen, he is much better than the alternatives. The fact he can bowl a bit is a bonus.

The specialist spinner has to be Mavuta. We need a wicket taker in that role, Wellington is just an end to end bowler and shouldn’t be in the test squad.

[Mr Twig]

Great thread...would have been great to see a ZIM-AFG series in Harare. Anyway Feb is not too far away...how many Tests to ZIM have in 2023? Bangladesh are only playing 5 because its a World Cup year, with 3 of them being against Afghanistan and Ireland.

Same for Zim. 2 against Afghans away and 1 v Ireland at home.

Logan Cup form will definitely determine a few spots. Anyone who can score 2 tons and/or couple of 5fers probably gets them into the squad.

The only locks for me are Williams, Ervine, Raza and Muzarabani.

[Jemisi]

Chakabva won't play, it's clear. He's finished.

As for Burl, why does he always get a free pass and just automatically in peoples teams? In Test cricket I always believe you need a specialist spinner and I don't think Burl's leggies are good enough to hold the attack together for 5 days.

If we had a proper spinner then yes. The difficulty is we are faced with picking a bloke who can come into the attack on day one and go five an over without much threat. Are any of our guys able to hold their end? Is Mavuta ready? He's getting more wickets for sure. But so is Mpofu.