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If we were to play a Test match tomorrow, what would your first eleven be? Let's suppose it was to be played at Harare Sports Club. To make it fair, only players from within the Logan Cup (or could not play the first 2 rounds due to injury) can be selected. And it doesn't have to be players who have been outstanding so far in the Logan Cup - it is the best eleven that you think could play in a Test for Zimbabwe.

1. Hamilton Masakadza 15 - Bat avg 27.06
2. Mark Vermeulen 8 - 25.87
3. Tatenda Taibu 24 - 29.60
4. Stuart Matsikenyeri 8 - 23.40
5. Prosper Utseya - 1 - 22.50
6. Elton Chigumbura 6 - 15.58 / Bowl avg 55.33
7. Forster Mutizwa - debut
8. Graeme Cremer - 6 - Bowl avg 45.76
9. Ray Price - 18 - Bowl avg 35.86
10. Tawanda Mupariwa 1 - Bowl avg undefined
11. Ed Rainsford - debut

I've intentionally left out someone like Malcolm Waller. While his Logan Cup form has been very good in the past few matches, he still doesn't have a First Class century to his name and only a handful of First Class matches.

I haven't gone for the most experienced lineup possible (otherwise you could have Hondo in place of Rainsford, Coventry in place of Mutizwa, etc) but the lineup that has the best mix of form and experience. Just because Nyamuzinga has made more runs than Vermeulen in this series doesn't mean that he would be better prepared for a Test match than Vermeulen.

There are 77 Test matches of experience in that team. Which isn't really that much, but at least there are 9 of 11 guys going into that team with some idea of what to expect. And Rainsford has enough ODI caps behind him to understand what international cricket involves. Mutizwa is the only one who is really fresh at international level, but current form suggests that he would do better than Sibanda, Coventry or Dabengwa.

So at the top of the order we have our best players, the three guys that have a Test hundred under their belt. To escape with a draw (probably anything less than an innings defeat would be considered progress, but hey, a draw has to be the aim) these three guys - Masakadza, Vermeulen and Taibu - need to make at least 50 each, with one of them going on to make a 80+. The most important thing for Zimbabwe is a good start - if we can get to 100 without loss then the worst is behind us (ie. the risk of being 6/40). If we can get to 130 for the loss of 1 then we are past the second danger point (the infamous 3/123 to 10/127 or whatever it was).

So say Masakadza is 60*, Vermeulen 60, we are 1/120. Taibu comes in and sees Masakadza through to a higher score - Masakadza departs on 85 with the score at 2/160 (Taibu 10*, a few extras).

Then we are into the middle order, which by comparison is quite weak for a variety of reasons. The first of which is the presence of Matsikenyeri - we know he is a flat track bully who only seems to get runs against the weakest opposition and when the pressure is off. But, he does have a bit of Test experience. And we know he is brilliant in the field. If he made 20 - 30, then you'd have to consider it a success. But you expect a sub-5 score, so let's say he makes 1.

Scorecard reads

Masakadza 85
Vermeulen 60
Taibu 12*
Matsikenyeri 1
Utseya 0*

Reasonable enough so far? Probably the Masakadza 85 is a bit far fetched, but I don't think it is impossible. Maybe it would be Vermeulen with the higher score and Masakadza with the plain half century. Anyway, let's make it realistic with a Zimbabwe Collapse™. Taibu gets out a few balls later for 13, Utseya departs for 4.

Scorecard reads

Masakadza 85
Vermeulen 60
Taibu 13
Matsikenyeri 1
Utseya 4
Chigumbura 1*
Mutizwa 0*

We are now 5/170. Chigumbura and the debutante Mutizwa need to stick around for a while, and they bring some respectability back to the scoreline with a 40 run partnership before Chigumbura departs for 25. Cremer comes in and makes an important 20, leaving Mutizwa with the lower order.

As Mutizwa approaches his half century, wanting to become the first Zimbabwean to make 50 on debut since Duffin, Price plays a silly shot and gets out for 0. Mupariwa is out next ball for 0, the bowler on a hattrick. Rainsford survives the last ball of the over. Mutizwa goes berserk the next over knowing Rainsford won't stick around for long and gets 26 from the over. Rainsford edges the next ball he faces for 4 down to 3rd man, the next one goes straight into the hands of 3rd slip.

Fianl scorecard reads

Masakadza 85
Vermeulen 60
Taibu 13
Matsikenyeri 1
Utseya 4
Chigumbura 25
Mutizwa 71*
Cremer 20
Price 0
Mupariwa 0
Rainsford 4

All out for 295

I place a lot of faith in Mutizwa and our top order. I almost expect the rest to collapse. But as long as 3 people make a half century, then I think we can get to a half decent score. Anything above 250 is not disgraceful I think, although 300 should probably be the "par" score.

A satisfying if not embarrasing first day's play. But the million dollar question is who is the opposition?

Good topic,brmtaylor.com admin!

If Zimbabwe were to play a test tomorrow my first XI will be:

1.Hamilton Masakadza V-CAPT (Match 15)
2.Mark Vermeulen (Match 8)
3.Tatenda Taibu (Match 24)
4.Stuart Matsikenyeri (Match 8)
5.Forster Mutizwa WK (Debute)
6.Charles Coventry (Match 2)
7.Elton Chigumbura (Match 6)
8.Graeme Cremer (Match 6)
9.Raymond Price CAPT (Match 18)
10.Douglas Hondo (Match 9)
11.Edward Rainsford (Debute)

Let me intoduce my killer instant.I would have dropped Prosper Utseya for team combination.I think many one wont agree with me.But it will be good for the team.

Prosper Utseya plays in the ODI as his bowling is very economical in that format of game.Since the team has two quality spinners Price and Cremer as well,so Utseya needs to contribute with the bat too.

But if Utseya is added in the test,Zimbabwe has to sacrifice a batsman.I dont think Utseya can score many runs which is needed to bat in the position of 4/5.

Utseya needs to take more wickets.In the Faithwear series he has 5 wickets at 30.60.Timycen Maruma has got more wickets than him getting 8 wickets.Of course Price and Cremer has got more wickets than Utseya.Same thing in the Logan Cup too.Utseya 3 wickets in 2 matches at 31.66.Cremer has 13,Price has 11 and Mugochi has 7 wickets in Logan Cup.

I will make Raymond Price the captain of Zimbabwean test team and Hamiton Masakadza the vice captain.

The top 4 batsmen are Masakadza,Vermeulen,Taibu and Matsikenyeri.I will fit Forster Mutizwa at 5.I think he has got a good future ahead of him.

Charles Coventry has a fifty against India and an average of 25 in 2 tests.I will select him in no 6.Elton Chigumbura at no 7 as an allrounder.Graeme Cremer at 8 and Raymond Price at 9.We all know that they both can contribute with the bat too.I will select Edward Rainsford
(no 11) and Douglas Hondo (no 10) as the seamers.

In the bowling attack,Rainsford and Hondo to open.Chigumbura as the first change.The coms LEGEND Price and leg spinner Cremer.Maskadza and Matsikenyeri as a part time spinner.

I think this is a very good team and Zimbabwe deserves test status by now.A draw is better than defeat.Draw must be the aim and doing so wins also can come and when wins start to come often,after the some time it will start to come regularly.

ALL THE BEST,ZIMBABWE.

got to have Waller in there this guy is made for the longer version of the game

may not have him as first chocie in the one day side but defintly in the 4 day game, i would have mutziwa in the odi's and waller in the 4/5 game stuff

My team for tomorrow's test against that

Hamilton Masakadza (VC)
Stuart Matsikenyeri
Mark Vermeulen
Malcolm Waller
Prosper Utseya (C)
Elton Chigumbura
Foster Mutizwa (WK)
Graeme Cremer
Raymond Price
Admire Manyumwa
Edward Rainsford

Backup:

Tawanda Mupariwa
Tymicen Maruma
Charles Coventry
Tatenda Taibu

Yes, it may be shocking, but Taibu's performance over the last few months, including a below par Logan Cup so far, has been nothing less than disastrous, and on form does not deserve a place in the team, even if it is a test match. Sibanda is clearly out of contention; we don't even know his current form, no matter where he is playing.

I agree with zimfan1 and select Waller ahead of Coventry, as he looks a more composed player than the enigmatic wicket keeper batsman. Mutizwa is the obvious wicket keeping choice. Utselya would be under serious pressure to do justice to his all-rounder tag, because Maruma would be breathing down his neck especially in the longer form. But as of now, I will stick with Utseya, and have him as skipper who bats at no.5.

I would also pick the in form Manyumwa ahead of Mupariwa as the pace option, since Mupariwa a Brent-like bowler who would be a great pick for an ODI, but might struggle as first change bowler in tests. Opening with Rainsford and Manyumwa, with Chigumbura for backup might make more sense. This choice of Manyumwa over Mupariwa was purely on form over the last few months, where Admire has done admirably well against decent opposition.

This team is a little light on experience, but I feel it is a more confident bunch at the moment.

Oops, I forgot to name a captain and wicket keeper. I'd have Mutizwa as the wicket keeper - I'm not sure what he is like around the field, but we know Taibu is good in the field, so it makes sense to use Mutizwa behind the stumps.

It's a tough one for captaincy. It would probably be Utseya since he is the most experienced in the role of late, although Chigumbura might be a look in. He is an automatic selection, captains Northerns, and he has the potential to lead from the front. Utseya does too by tight bowling, but Chigumbura probably would get more attention because he could smash 50 from 20 balls (for example).

The first XI can be more strong as Brendan Taylor is available for national selection and Sean Williams also appeared in the domestic season later.

So, with Taylor and Williams returning into the team, my first XI will look like this:

1. Brendan Taylor (Match 10)
2. Mark Vermeulen (Match 8)
3. Tatenda Taibu WK (Match 24)
4. Hamilton Masakadza V-CAPT (Match 15)
5. Sean Williams (Debute)
6. Malcolm Waller (Debute)
7. Elton Chigumbura (Match 6)
8. Graeme Cremer (Match 6)
9. Raymond Price CAPT (Match 18)
10. Douglas Hondo (Match 9)
11. Edward Rainsford (Debute)

Have to give 3 players debute (Williams, Waller, Rainsford) and Mutizwa in line for that.
I exclude Charles Coventry from the line up and include Malcolm Waller as he has proved himself in the Logan Cup and T-20 competition.

I have no room for Utseya. I really don't think he is a better spinner than Raymond Price or Graeme Cremer. Price is a legend and Cremer being a leg spinner has some variations. Utseya can just stop the run flow by tighting up which is handy in the shorter version of cricket, in the ODIs but not for tests.

Reserve players:

1. Charles Coventry (Match 2)
2. Forster Mutizwa (Match 0)
3. Stuart Matsikenyeri (Match 8)
4. Prosper Utseya (Match 1)
5. Tawanda Mupariwa (Match 1)

1. Brendan Taylor (wk)
2. Mark Vermeulen
3. Sean Williams
4. Tatenda Taibu
5. Hamilton Masakadza
6. Malcolm Waller
7. Elton Chigumbura
8. Graeme Cremer
9. Ray Price
10. Prosper Utseya (c)
11. Ed Rainsford

There are a few things I don't like about this team, but I at least think it is plausible. What I don't like:

• Mark Vermeulen didn't really set the world on fire in the Logan Cup (injury stopped him from doing so admittedly). So Charles Coventry, having scored a century, could have a pretty good case for opening with Taylor. However, one cannot overlook Vermeulen's experience (a Test century is worth quite a lot in this Zimbabwe side).
• Tatenda Taibu has been in average form recently. Only two half centuries for a player of his calibre is a bit disappointing, and his international form before that has been woeful. So much that in fairness, the gap between himself and Chakabva is closing, and we can safely say (based on current and recent form) that he has been overtaken by Mutizwa. Here it is again; however, Taibu is the most experienced Test player in Zimbabwe right now. And experience is a greater commodity than potential. Mutizwa could become brilliant, his First Class record is very good at the moment. His short ODI career so far has exceeded expectations. But for the first time in years (with the exception of Cremer, who appears to have been "developed" properly!), we can now afford to develop players rather than throw them to the wolves. So the likes of Mutizwa, Chakabva, etc should play for Zimbabwe A and get a decent apprenticeship before being subject to the rigours of Test cricket. Taibu shouldn't be picked on reputation, he should be picked for his experience.
• Malcolm Waller. I don't know. As I said in the point above, Mutizwa could potentially become a brilliant player. But statistically, not much separates he and Waller. Looking at the Logan Cup, less than a run separated their averages and given an extra innings (Mutizwa batted 10 times, Waller 11) might have scored the extra 57 runs to become leading run scorer. So who should be "developed", Waller or Mutizwa? I think Mutizwa, being a year younger than Waller, might have more to gain by playing with Zimbabwe A for a while. As none of us (besides any Zimbabwean residents reading this perhaps) have seen Mutizwa actually bat it makes the decision more difficult - but judging by Waller's debut innings against Bangladesh he showed mental strength. We were in a tough position, and it was his partnership with Utseya (?) which turned the match around. Not to mention, he looks like a classy batsman. Not Sean Williams-like, but that cover drive off his first ball in international cricket should speak volumes for his ability and confidence. Not so much the stroke (which was nice ), but the fact that he was willing to do it straight away without hesitation. (if I am not mistaken, Mutizwa also struck 4 off a cover drive in his first ball in international cricket against Kenya... really, it seems like these guys have nothing splitting them).
• Prosper Utseya. I absolutely agree with Detective RDS, Utseya I don't think is one of the best 2 spinners in the country. Ray Price is quite comfortably the number 1 spinner, and Graeme Cremer is probably number 2. (though there could be an argument for Utseya being number 2 due to his consistency, etc). What is important to remember is that legspinners are worth their weight in gold, particularly good ones. Between Williams, Vermeulen and Waller we have offspin covered. And with the majority of batsmen being right handed a legspinner is very valuable to team structure. I just can't see how the selectors could leave him out. Having said all this, there is no way Utseya would ever be left out of the team. And being the leading wicket taker in the Logan Cup, it is hard to justify his exclusion. Although for balance having another seam bowler would be nice, it's probably not viable. Guys like Manyumwa and S Masakadza need more development time, Mpofu isn't damaging enough, Mupariwa isn't fast enough... we don't really have enough options yet. By the 2011 World Cup on the other hand, we should have a fantastic squad to pick from.

brmtaylor.com admin wrote:
As none of us (besides any Zimbabwean residents reading this perhaps) have seen Mutizwa actually bat it makes the decision more difficult - but judging by Waller's debut innings against Bangladesh he showed mental strength. We were in a tough position, and it was his partnership with Utseya (?) which turned the match around. Not to mention, he looks like a classy batsman.

Yes, that's right. We haven't seen Mutizwa batting yet. Some things force me to pick Waller since he looked like a decent batsman while batting against Ban. Looking ahead to the future, he can be a similar batsman like Campbell or G Flower. Another thing to note for, Waller dominated in the Twenty-20 competition but Mutizwa failed to do so. There is no question about Mutizwa's potential seeing his FC stats but I think the consistency of Waller took ahead of Mutizwa. But Mutizwa can replace him anytime if Waller fails.

brmtaylor.com admin wrote:
7. Elton Chigumbura
8. Graeme Cremer
9. Ray Price
10. Prosper Utseya (c)
11. Ed Rainsford

Only 2 pacers (Rainsford, Chigumbura) with 3 spinners. I think, the pace department is lacking but there is no option too. I guess, we wouldn't like but the team selectors will pick Utseya in place of Cremer as he is the skipper and also the leading wicket taker in Logan Cup too. Then, they will take an extra seamer. The seaming options can be Manyuma, Mupariwa, S Masakadza, Mpofu, Hondo, Garwe anyone of them.