Sri Lanka selection thread.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Do not post your entire first elevens/squad lists!

In your reply, answer a question from one of the posts above and then at the end of your reply include a new question of your own for someone else to answer.


1st question: Who should be the first choice wicket keeper for the Sri Lanka series?

[zimfan1]

taibu if he is avaiblable as he plays spin well

[Detective RDS]

1st question: Who should be the first choice wicket keeper for the Sri Lanka series?

Forster Mutizwa.

I can give reasons for that.He has played 5 ODIs already and can feel the heat of international cricket.There is no reason to replace him.He has done well even with the bat averaging over 41.

But Mutizwa can be chased by Regis Chakabva.I would like to say if Chakabva is selected he will play as a specialist batsman in the middle order.I can give some obvious reasons.Mutizwa is a better wicket-keeper than Chakabva.The statistics says that.

Mutizwa as a wicket keeper:

In 11 FC match he has 44 dismissals(44 catch,4 stumpings).
In 20 List A match he has 28 dismissals(22 catch,6 stumpings).
In 5 ODIs he has 6 dismissals(4 catch,2 stumpings).

Chakabva as a wicket keeper:

In 14 FC match he has 36 dismissals(33 catch,3 stumpings).
In 25 List A match he has 25 dismissals(16 catch,9 stumpings).
In 1 ODI he has 2 dismissals(2 catch).

The statistics says that Mutizwa played less match than Chakabva and has got dismissals more than Chakabva.Though Taibu is my first choice as the wicket keeper for the experience and talent he posseses.But I think Taibu will be unavailable.So,it's better to go with Mutizwa as there is no fault in him to do so.

2nd Question: Which two batsmen should open the innings for Zimbabwe?Give reasons for that.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Which two batsmen should open the innings for Zimbabwe?Give reasons for that.

No more Dabengwa for me

So, I would go for Masakadza (Oh yes! he is back to his best) as one of the openers. No contest there. I have my reservations against Sibanda. His comeback has been nothing less than horrific. If Matsikenyeri makes the squad (well, why wouldn't he?), I would go for him as the other opener. This would ensure that Utseya would bat higher up the order (may be at no. 4).

All important No. 3 again: With doubts again hanging over Williams' availability, who would be best fit there?

[brmtaylor.com admin]

2nd Question: Which two batsmen should open the innings for Zimbabwe?Give reasons for that.

Tough one. The opening positions are proving to be a real problem for Zimbabwe.

Hamilton Masakadza is a definite, besides a touch of bad form against Bangladesh (not alone there) he really bounced back recently. And his last 12 months have been very good by Zimbabwean standards - 514 runs at 32.14. The problem is who should be his partner.

Sibanda has been pretty ordinary in the past year or so, and we are really struggling to find a good opening combination. Zhuwawo was woeful, but I don't have a problem with the selectors giving him a shot. It was a gamble, and it is important to try new things.

Taibu could open, but I think his position in the squad is doubtful. Dabengwa failed. Until such time that someone is simply outstanding at domestic level I suppose we have to go with someone currently in the squad, which pretty much means Matsikenyeri even though he doesn't inspire much confidence.

3rd question: All important No. 3 again: With doubts again hanging over Williams' availability, who would be best fit there?

Assuming Williams is available, he is my first choice number 3. Assuming Taibu is available he is my 2nd choice number 3 (hey, we have a lot of #3 depth don't we just a shame there is so much uncertainty surrounding them). Next in line is Chamu Chibhabha, who has to be brought back into the squad (at least) considering the batting problems we were having in Bangladesh.


4th question: Should Dabengwa even make the squad?

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

4th question: Should Dabengwa even make the squad?

No, he shouldn't in my opinion. My take is Justice Chibhabha. He was proven No.3 in carribean series and deserves an extended run along with Waller.
My choice of keeper is Mutizwa & openers being Masakadza & Vermeulen (if i am not too ambitious).

5th question:Who will share the new ball against SL

[Train Driver]

Without a doubt it should be Tawanda Mupariwa and Ed Rainsford with the new ball, i don't believe that Elton Chigumbura has the control and accuracy to be risked as an opener against a side as strong as Sri Lanka and, although he showed some tightness against Kenya, i don't think Christopher Mpofu is consistent enough either.

6th question. Do we have 2 or 3 spinners against Sri Lanka ?

[zimfan1]

has to be 3 spinners especially as utesya is starting to develop into an all rounder and in sri lankan conditions are pace bowlers are not good enough to bowl three sets of 1's each on flat pitches

on the new ball question has to be rainsford and muperweria

[Detective RDS]

3rd question: All important No. 3 again: With doubts again hanging over Williams' availability, who would be best fit there?

For the no 3 position,a lot is depending on the availability of Williams and Taibu.The composition of the team will be set according to it.I agree with brmtaylor.com admin,Williams 1st choice,Taibu 2nd choice and Chibhabha 3rd choice.If Vermeulen is selected as an opener,I think Matsikenyeri will bat at no 3.

4th question: Should Dabengwa even make the squad?

I think,he shouldn't.He hasnt done enough against Kenya.Better to take Chakabva or Chibhabha to give the batting more depth.Utseya is buildng as an allrounder too.So,he can definitely fill the role of a spinning allrounder.

5th question:Who will share the new ball against SL

Edward Rainsford and Tawanda Mupariwa.I totally agree with Train Driver.Chigumbura can be expensive in the powerplay 1,better to let him in the slog overs where he can be useful.Mpofu lacks accuracy too,bowls too many wide delivaries.

6th question. Do we have 2 or 3 spinners against Sri Lanka ?

It has to be 3 spinners,I do feel so.Legend Price,Cremer who made an excellent debute against Kenya taking 15 wickets in 5 ODIs and Utseya who needs to bat higher up the order to play as an allrounder like Chigumbura.These 3 spinners can really create pressaure for the batsmen and mantain a low run rate.

For the openers,I will go with (Masakadza-Vermeulen) pair.If Vermeulen isn't selected my 2nd choice is (Masakadza-Matsikenyeri).Sibanda hasnt showed any great promise as an opener.


7th question: Which players you would like to include in the squad who were not in the squad of Bangladesh and Kenya tour?Give reasons for that.

[CrimsonAvenger]

1. Justice Chibhabha - There was really no reason to drop him in the first place. He has not been a star performer, but has done a decent job most of the times. A couple of bad performances, and he was made the scapegoat, while Dabengwa and Matsikenyeri made it to the squad irrespective of their form. So, he must be in the squad, and he would be my second choice no. 3, ahead of Taibu. If Williams is available, he will play at 3, and Chibhabha at 5. Taibu to open, and Utseya at 4. No more Matsikenyeri

2. Regis Chakabva - As I have said before, the last 4 debuts for Zim ODI team have been impressive. Chakabva, Waller, Mutizwa and Cremer. They need more opportunities to prove themselves and build a career, and Chakabva comes in to the squad, as specialist batsman, if not as reserve keeper.

3. Freedom Takarusenga / Robertson Chinyengetere / Bradley Staddon - This depends on unavailability of Taibu and / or Williams. We have been hearing a lot about these three, although they are yet to prove themselves in first class scene, they are exciting prospects. Could make into the squad if the big two are unavailable.

Although we feel Vermeulen must make the squad, he must prove his form and fitness to force himself into the team. If he has been playing in the national league and has been among the runs, then why not?

So, who will they replace?

Chibhabha for Sibanda
Chakabva for Dabengwa
Takarusenga / Chinyengetere / Staddon for Williams / Taibu
Vermeulen for Matsikenyeri (only if form and fitness were proven)

Now to my question: I have been professing for having "Professor Dots" at no 4. What is your take on that? What should be Utseya's batting position?