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Would you give Chinouya a go in the tests? Good first class record while payangaras has been unremarkable, here is my eleven anyway

1) mawoyo ( back to full fitness now, must in long form)
2) Sibanda
3) masakadza
4) Taylor
5) Williams
6) Mutunbami
7) Chigs
8) cremer ( His best format and head and shoulders above any other pretenders to the throne)
9) Shingi ( also his preferred format)
10) Rainsford
11) Chinouya

People may raise a few eyebrows at vitori and chatara ommision but they tend to tire very quickly and with vitori coming back from lengthy injury rainsford/chinouya and shingi are very able workhorses

mmm, Jarvis is going to be missed in this format. yeah, I'd give Mike a go! I'm afraid I'm a stickler and Vitori should be working on his action (I thought it was forgivable a year or so ago but am less amenable now) as much as his fitness!! Ed won't be picked so keep Chatara. Also would have Taylor with the gloves and Mutambami's spot back to Waller or even Butt

Assuming the guys that have had injuries are better now:

1. Tino Mawoyo
2. Vusi Sibanda
3. Hamilton Masakadza
4. Brendan Taylor (c)
5. Sean Williams
6. Regis Chakabva (wk)
7. Elton Chigumbura
8. Graeme Cremer
9. Keegan Meth
10. Shingirai Masakadza
11. Brian Vitori

Vitori is the most like-for-like replacement for Jarvis. He deserves another crack at Test cricket, especially if Meth is still injured otherwise not in contention.

Based on recent Test form, Waller probably deserves to retain his spot but I think it would be criminal to exclude Williams given the rich vein of form he is in. A "Craig Ervine / West Indies" situation for sure.

I realise I sound like a fanboy going on about this, but Mutumbami has to be part of the test plans in the coming years. The way he played last season, he should be above Chakabva in the pecking order.

Where is the lad, these days?

Chatara has looked a lot fitter lately than in the Windies, so I'd trust him to last for a Test match. Vitori's stamina is a bit of an unknown (and looking at his action gives me the creeps, but as long as the umpires are not bothered ... maybe Ajmal can teach him how to 'bowl' the doosra, would be handy at 140 kph), he was fit enough when he first came onto the scene against BD (that's for Bundu the fitness fanatic to judge). Shingi would be my 'workhorse' in this seam attack, the guy who will run in for you anyplace, anytime.

Haven't heard anything about Meth since his injury, so I do not have an informed opinion about him.

I have a gut feeling we might see Panyangara in for Shingi though ...

Ming wrote:I realise I sound like a fanboy going on about this, but Mutumbami has to be part of the test plans in the coming years. The way he played last season, he should be above Chakabva in the pecking order.

Where is the lad, these days?

Richmond over Regis any day. I think he is around, seen him in the training squads, so should be available.

I wonder whether we'll see BT with the gloves instead (not my choice for sure!) to accomodate Williams - Elton - Waller (or Maruma, aaargh!) and four bowlers.

foreignfield wrote: I have a gut feeling we might see Panyangara in for Shingi though ...

Why though, Payangaras Figures dont really back it up. For a start in first class he is fairly ordinary with only one five for compared to shingi's 7 five wicket hauls and also 10 four wicket hauls.
payangara can dry up the runs sure but not really what we are looking for in a test match which is penetration.........Oh and shingi can bat too

jimbo wrote:

foreignfield wrote: I have a gut feeling we might see Panyangara in for Shingi though ...

Why though

Because of the selectors.

Mawoyo
Vusi
H Masakadza
Taylor*
Williams
Mutumbami(wk)
Chigumbura
Cremer
S Masakadza
Vitori
Chatara

I'd have your side Takleg, except Meth for Vitori if he were available. But since he doesn't seem to be your XI would be my pick too.

Though with Chigs' poor bowling form, I'd be tempted to leave him out and have Waller at 6 and Richmond at 7.