Former players are eyeing returns in competitive cricket

[Detective RDS]

Link: http://www.brmtaylor.com/news-168.html

Former players are eyeing returns in competitive cricket
Posted by Detective RDS on July 15, 2009

Takashinga Premier Winter League Twenty-20 is underway this Sunday. There are four sides playing in it- Hamilton Masakadza captained Chaminuka, Prosper Utseya captained Tongogara and Elton Chigumbura captained Tangwena and the most surprise package was the team ‘Red Lions’ which will be captained by 33 years old former Zimbabwean test batsman Trevor Gripper.

Red Lions also includes such players like 31 years old all rounder Douglas Marillier, 26 years old opening batsman Barney Rogers, 30 years old batsman Lance Malloch-Brown who played First Class cricket in Zimbabwe.

All of them are playing for Red Lions in the following tournament including 27 years old former Midlands pacer Campbell Macmillan once who was the quickest bowler in Zimbabwe.

It is also believed that 24 years old Stephan Marillier is also playing for Red Lions. He played for Derbyshire 2nd XI last year and played club cricket in Warwickshire, UK also.

It is said that a comeback is a top priority for some of the players of Red Lions. But we have to wait for seeing that. Meanwhile, the franchises squad will be announced on August 5. We will be able to find which player’s name is in the list and which player’s isn’t.

Red Lions have won their matches and there are more matches coming up this weekend.

Talking about the team of Red Lions, it was formed by former Zimbabwean skipper Heath Streak back in 2004 after the rebel strike. Red Lions hasn’t played any competitive cricket before this tournament, they have always played matches amongst themselves on the weekends. But last month they hosted a team from Zambia. They are a fielding strong unit. After the T20 tournament there will be a One Day competition also. All the matches will be played in coloured clothing, something which doesn't normally happen in domestic cricket.

Special thanks to our friend Enock Muchinjo and brmtaylor.com admin for passing the valuable information.

[Detective RDS]

That's a good news.

Looking forward to seeing the franchises squad. Hope, we will be able to find some of the names of former stars.

[zimfan1]

would be great if a couple of them could return to domestic cricket as it would really improve the standard of the game in the country,

[eugene]

I would love to see Dougie Marillier return. He is an entertaining player and a great talent.

[Detective RDS]

I would love to see Dougie Marillier return. He is an entertaining player and a great talent.

Agree...A gifted player, in my opinion. He has a bright chance to get an IPL contract if he does make a remarkable comeback like Vermeulen. I also heard while watching IPL/ICL, the commentators used to talk about him for his invented shot and it's value to get quick runs in cricket especially in the short version. The shot is even named in him 'Marillier Shot' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marillier_shot). Really he is a proud of Zimbabwe and should utilize him in the international stage, he is just 31 now.

He is famous especially for this match against India:
http://www.cricinfo.com/zimbabwe/conten ... 55578.html

He did the same vs Australia against McGrath's bowling too but Zim lost the match by 1 run, I can remember.
http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Score ... 71567.html

I reckon, he will be a great T20 player also. I hope we will be able to find his name in the franchise squad. Really looking forward !

[Detective RDS]

Hmmm...It seems that Barney Rogers has signed for Northerns. Trevor Gripper is likely to sign with Northerns. Douglas Marillier and Campbell MacMillan are also set to return. I guess, Stephan Marillier will also be named in a franchise squad, he is the younger brother of Doug. That means all down. 100% success

[tlse]

i spoke with trevor gripper who told me that its only a typical ZC propaganda to gain credibility in the eyes of the world. nobody contact him to play . and his position to play one day games locally for a franchise but by no means sign anything that the ZC has to offer.

[zimfan1]

not good news

any idea about the Barney Rodgers situation tlse?

[Kopje]

i spoke with trevor gripper who told me that its only a typical ZC propaganda to gain credibility in the eyes of the world. nobody contact him to play . and his position to play one day games locally for a franchise but by no means sign anything that the ZC has to offer.

This is not good news, when i read the article, it had raised my hopes up. Oh well...

[Detective RDS]

Can't believe! If that is the case, than it's very bad for ZC and as well as for Zimbabwean cricket.