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I thought I would do a comparison of the current test team to the one that beat Pakistan in Peshawar in 1998.

1. Gavin Rennie v Tino Mawoyo
Rennie suffered from being moved up and down the batting order in his career and never really found any consistency. Mawoyo seems very settled as an opener and has seen success against Pakistan and the West Indies. Advantage Mawoyo.
2. Grant Flower v Vusi Sibanda
Questions remain regarding Vusi's suitability to tests, he averages 21. Grant Flower averaged 29 throughout his career and in his prime was one of our best batsmen. Advantage Flower.
3. Murray Goodwin v Hamilton Masakadza
Goodwin averaged over 40 in tests and could probably still make the team today. Hamilton is a valuable contributor but still lacks consistency. Advantage Goodwin.
4. Alistair Campbell v Brendan Taylor
Campbell was the better captain but Taylor the better batsman. Advantage Taylor.
5. Andy Flower v Malcolm Waller
No contest. Advantage Flower.
6. Neil Johnson v Elton Chigumbura
Tough one, but Neil was more consistent and more talented. Chigumbura can barely be considered an allrounder these days. Advantage Johnson.
7. Craig Wishart v Richmond Mutumbami
Tough comparison as they have completely different roles. Mutumbami probably has more potential as a batsman so... Advantage Mutumbami.
8. Heath Streak v Tinashe Panyangara
Panyangara has been impressive but Streak is our greatest ever bowler. Advantage Streak.
9. Andy Whitall v Prosper Utseya
Utseya may not be impressive, but Whittall was less impressive. Advantage Utseya.
10. Henry Olonga v Tendai Chatara
Olonga is a Zimbabwean icon, but Chatara statistically is better, albeit against weaker opposition. Tie
11. Pommie Mbangwa v Brian Vitori
Vitori has had some great moments, but Pommie was consistently reliable. Advantage Mbangwa


In summary we can see that the 1998 side wins 6.5 to 4.5, but you can see player-for-player the sides are fairly close. The 1998 side may have had Goodwin, Johnson, Streak, Campbell, and the Flowers; but it also had Craig Wishart, Gavin Rennie, and Andy Whittall. I guess the combined XI would read as follows (I have cheated and included Campbell by making Andy the keeper):

1. Tino Mawoyo
2. Grant Flower
3. Murray Goodwin
4. Brendan Taylor
5. Andy Flower
6. Alistair Campbell
7. Neil Johnson
8. Heath Streak
9. Prosper Utseya
10. Tendai Chatara
11. Pommie Mbangwa

That is a pretty good team

My dad faced Andy Whittal in club cricket over here in England some time ago, and he said he was a very very good spin bowler who ripped it square, but mentioned he was incredibly arrogant up his on arse.


Would t be fair to say that Neil Johnson was our best ever allrounder ? or would that title have to go to Heath Streak

Streak would probably win out as he was around for much longer. Andy Whittall had talent, but his figures in international cricket were decidedly average, 105 average in tests and 50 in ODIs.

hmmm - don't think Chatara has earned the right to keep Henry off the field. And Henry sings better....
Pommie, bless him, is a better commentator than he was a bowler, so I'd go for Vitori.
Otherwise I like your thinking

PieChucker wrote:Pommie, bless him, is a better commentator than he was a bowler, so I'd go for Vitori.

He is a world class commentator so it's hard not to agree with the letter of your statement ... but I don't agree with the spirit. I know folk tend to judge by 100s and 5-fers (so Vitori looks better) but Pommie was an above average Zim bowler (a trundler for true) who made more than the most of his chances, kept the runs under control and has stats that stand up in his day (never played BD). Time will probably back you up .. but at this point in time I go with Eugene on this one

im sorry but you cant compare Chatara to Olonga. Olonga inspired an entire generation and watching him on tv was like watching an artist at work. 1 of the greatest eva to grace the red.

sloandog wrote:My dad faced Andy Whittal in club cricket over here in England some time ago, and he said he was a very very good spin bowler who ripped it square, but mentioned he was incredibly arrogant up his on arse.


Would t be fair to say that Neil Johnson was our best ever allrounder ? or would that title have to go to Heath Streak

In tests Streak was much better as an all rounder than Johnson.

Mbangwa was better than people give him credit for. He was rarely embarrassed and always seemed to hold his own regardless of the opposition.

lloydwinini wrote:im sorry but you cant compare Chatara to Olonga. Olonga inspired an entire generation and watching him on tv was like watching an artist at work. 1 of the greatest eva to grace the red.

I remember Boycott commentating on the final ball of the 50 overs once (I may have recalled this before but it always made me chuckle) when Olonga had it at the beginning of his run up (he'd gone for 16 already in the over) ...
"if he bowls it short, he'll be hit for six. ... He's running in, he's bowled it short, gone ... gone for six. He has all the brains of a pork pie".


Olonga sometimes tried too hard ... but he certainly had his moments, and gave us plenty to look back on fondly