Enock Muchinjo: Test return - Why now is the right time

[maehara]

Source

I INTENDED to pen this column after the conclusion of Zimbabwe’s ongoing tour of the West Indies, which began yesterday with the first ODI in Guyana. But for weeks I’ve been itching to voice my opinion on the topical issue of Zimbabwe’s Test return, and having decided that any outcome of that one-day series in the Caribbean won’t essentially affect my views on the subject of Test cricket, I went ahead.

I have keenly followed the debate over Zimbabwe’s return to Test commitments, and two viewpoints particularly stand out; those of Alistair Campbell and Dave Houghton — two of Zimbabwe’s most successful former captains.

Campbell, who is the national selectors convener, says the team should be ready in 18 months. Campbell is one of the most influential figures in Zim cricket these days and it is no wonder his vision has been adopted by the national board, which has given the new technical department headed by Englishman Alan Butcher the task of preparing the team for Test cricket within that period.

Houghton believes that Zimbabwe should in fact return to the Test arena immediately, or by end of year at the latest.
On face value, Campbell’s timeframe appears more practical. But when no less a man like Houghton talks like that, all of us must take it seriously.

In my view, no one is better qualified to determine if we are ready or not.

This is the man who was the country’s captain leading up to the attainment of Test status, ably leading the team in its maiden Test against India back in 1992. He therefore fully understands the conditions that existed back then to be able to draw comparison with today’s situation.

He knows the pool and quality of players that are needed, the readiness and the right environment that should exist.
I recall an interview Houghton did back in 1994 when he was captain.

“We are not tapping into our major population,” he told a journalist. “We are actually drawing our national cricket side from probably 200 people, and they (the other Test nations) are drawing from their full population. So that’s why they have so many numbers to pick from and so much talent. We will really do well to stay at this (Test) level with what we have. Until such a time when we can draw from our full population, we will always struggle. We might be able to maintain a level, but we will never get higher than that level.”

Sixteen years down the line, Houghton must have seen something convincingly good to conclude that playing Test cricket again would not be such an insurmountable task.

And it is not difficult to see why: a revamped, competitive domestic first-class structure, return of top players to the fold and a new spirit generally engulfing Zim cricket.

To buttress Houghton’s theory, I have compiled a list of players who could, as a matter of opinion, constitute Zimbabwe’s Test team if we are to return soon.

I have worked to it on the basis that players on Kolpak contracts in the UK will be available.

I believe we do have the right material and mix now, unlike three to four years ago, to sustain a place at Test level. To that effect, I see former captain Tatenda Taibu as a linchpin. Taibu learnt the art of the trade from the best. In his temperament, professionalism and strokes, it is clear he inherited the traits of his mentor, Andy Flower.

Hamilton Masakadza has already shown how destructive he can be, scoring a Test debut century as a 17-year-old and he will relish another shot at Test cricket.

Like Taibu, Masakadza will be a big, big Test batsman for Zimbabwe. The same can be said of Brendan Taylor and Sean Ervine. These four will form the nucleus of Zimbabwe’s batting line-up.

Veteran spinner Ray Price acquitted himself well at Test level early in his career, and his experience will count immensely.
I’m also particularly excited about legspinner Graeme Cremer. He already has six Test caps under his belt, and generating a fair amount of turn and letting rip a good googly as he often does, Zimbabwe will have a bowler they can rely on.

Upfront, Andy Blignaut will add to his 19 Test caps by spearheading the attack, backed by the likes of Sean Ervine and Elton Chigumbura in the seam department.

I will of course have left out so many talented players who could equally justify inclusion, for example, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Sean Williams, Gavin Ewing, Mark Vermeulen, Charles Coventry, Chris Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa, Dion Ebrahim, Alester Maregwede, Blessing Mahwire, Tino Mawoyo, Craig Ervine, Keegan Meth, Chamu Chibhabha, Timycen Maruma, Anthony Ireland and Keith Dabengwa.

I have to mention that coming up with my Zim Test XI was not a simple task. But it’s a positive dilemma to have one which, hopefully, serves as a good example of the depth that’s there now to play Tests.

I have selected the best team, and simply not the best players who might well then constitute an unbalanced side.

Fortunately, this is only a fantasy team and many fanatical cricket lovers will have their own. It does however represent an opportunity for intense debate and exchange and I would regard that as good for the game.

My Zim Test XI
Vusi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza,Tatenda Taibu (captain), Sean Ervine, Greg Lamb, Elton Chigumbura, Andy Blignaut, Graeme Cremer, Prosper Utseya, Ray Price.

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

Vermulen for Sibanda, rest i agree with this side and just cant wait to see it in action.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Vermulen for Sibanda, rest i agree with this side and just cant wait to see it in action.

Vermeulen for Sibanda?
Are you sure? Especially after his Bradman of Highfields status?

[CrimsonAvenger]

Anyway, Muchinjo and Manthorp are two people whose articles I have loved reading. Thanks for the links as ever, maehara

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

Vermulen for Sibanda, rest i agree with this side and just cant wait to see it in action.

Vermeulen for Sibanda?
Are you sure? Especially after his Bradman of Highfields status?

Very sure. Domestic cricket is another thing and tests all together different. The tall fella had done it before in tests against aussies and capable of replicating his abilities again.

[Conant]

Vermulen for Sibanda, rest i agree with this side and just cant wait to see it in action.

Vermeulen for Sibanda?
Are you sure? Especially after his Bradman of Highfields status?

Very sure. Domestic cricket is another thing and tests all together different. The tall fella had done it before in tests against aussies and capable of replicating his abilities again.

Mark Vermeleun? How so? The least we can expect of our players is that they perform in our domestic league if before they can be chosen for the national team. Surely we can't say Vermeluen will perfom again because he once performed against Australia.
So spot on, Enock, Crimson, though I expect Sean Ervine being Zimbabawe's best batsman will bat at four once he's available.
I expect too that Sean Williams will prove his value soon enough and him and Ervine will be the backbone.
My team therefore would look something like this:
1. Sibanda
2. ???
3. Masakadza
4.Sean Ervine
5. Sean Williams
6. Taibu
7. Chigumbura
8.Panyangara/ Mpofu
9. Price
10. Cremer
11. Jarvis/ Ireland

It is my belief that if Ervine comes back he will pull Ireland and even Panyangara with him.
No place for Taylor? I think many in these forums will know I'm not his biggest fan, so therefore he opens. Unless if he were to replace Williams at five which I doubt very much.
And soon I hope to see Chibhabha's name featuring somewhere in that order

[Flower power]

Excatly , good things are up for Zim ,when you are facing difficulties on which players to drop or pick then it means our pool of players is on the rise . What the administrators need to do is then to pick a Zim A side that will be well renumarated , and that will actively be playing against the top A sides of the world .In this way we preserve our players , and once they pick consistent form in the A side and someone in the First X1 looses form the decision is simple.
Backed by a strong domestick franchise system that draws talent from the various provinces .( mind you we have huge talent that is aquiring skills in SA , Auss, and England . ) If climate ie admin of the game is favourable then this army of returnees will complete the domestic set up .

1.Layer 1 - Test side , ODI Side , T20 side (40 players)
2.Layer 2 Zim A , High Permance Academy , U19 team (70 players)
3.Layer 3 First Class level Franhise (120 players)
4.Layer 4 Franchise B sides & Academies (240 players)
5. Layer 5 Provincial selects & Franchise age groups (to play a natianal league) (300 players)
6. layer 6. Club cricket in provinces (800 players)
7.Layer 7. Zimbabwe schools cricket sytem (+5000 players )

That is why Dave Houghton says a Test return will be quicker , coz the above sytems exist ( save for one or two ) but they juss need to be intergrated and looked after .
From here , no one will come from the national league and juss play in the national team. Players have to proove their worth in the system to don that Red Shirt .

[sloandog]

Another very enthrwaling read !! I wouldn't bet that Sean Ervine would automatically bring back players like Ireland and Panyangara though.

[wicor]

1 Ebrahim
2 Vermuelen
3 Taylor
4 Masakadza
5 Taibu
6 Ervine
7 Chigumbura
8 Cremer
9 Price
10 Ireland
11 Jarvis

Williams, Lamb, Marillier, Rainsford, Utseya, Mpofu to add to the squad!!

[sloandog]

1 Ebrahim
2 Vermuelen
3 Taylor
4 Masakadza
5 Taibu
6 Ervine
7 Chigumbura
8 Cremer
9 Price
10 Ireland
11 Jarvis

Williams, Lamb, Marillier, Rainsford, Utseya, Mpofu to add to the squad!!

Liking the squad. I'd bring in Jarvis for Ireland though