2013 Review Of Cricket (Zimbabwe) By Sloandog

[sloandog]

An article written by sloandog on what could be if we work hard:

Since their exit from the 2010 ICC World T20 Tournament in the West Indies 3 years ago, Zimbabwean Cricket has gone from strength to strength. Alistair Campbell, chairmen of selectors and head of the committee, issued a statement to the players in 2010 of what was expected of them.

"Zimbabwean Cricket is on the rise. Money is coming in and people are beginning to trust us again. However the players must pull together as a unit and play as a unit if we're ever going to succeed at this level once again. Myself and the committee have agreed that we've reached the point where under performing players will be asked to find form in the new Franchise System. We cant afford to keep playing the same old players who show such great promise but fail to show it with either bat or ball. We've reached the point where we want results, and we feel this is the most secure and efficient way to do so. You guys will have the backing of your coaches and selectors, but you must show us that you want to play for Zimbabwe and succeed at the highest level. Our new approach will start with immediate effect.

A week after the statement was issued Zimbabwe had a tri series against Sri Lanka and India. Out of the 5 matches they played, 2 was won and the other's were lost. Craig Ervine took the man of the series award for scoring two hundreds and two fifties for his country, while fast bowler Ed Rainsford took 12 wickets. Out of the 15 man squad 3 (Charles Coventry, Vusi Sibanda and Justice Chibhaba) players were dropped and asked to go away and find form. Part of the new system implemented my Campbell.

Another change that Campbell and his committee made formal was trials for the Franchises. In 2010 Heath Streak and Kevin Curran held trials for the Midwest Rhinos for youngsters under the age of 22. Out of the 20 who got through to the final trial, only 2 made it to the the full squad. Young fast bowler R.Sloan and batter N.Doyle were chosen ahead of the other candidates. The 19 year old Sloan was regarded as good young fast bowler, somebody that Heath Streak liked the look of;
Ja we've certainly had a look at him and of what I've seen I'm impressed. Considering that he's only 19 he'll only get stronger, and he's somebody we must keep a close eye on.
The 21 year old N.Doyle however was regarded as one of the hardest hitters of a cricket ball that Grant Flower had seen for a long time of somebody of his age.
Ja i mean when i watched him bat i was just taken a back. It was like watching a young me. He combined both power and technique and looks a real talent for the future. He perhaps needs to work on his fitness slightly, though it's not a huge concern at this point in time.

6 months passed and hard work was put in by the batting coach(Grant Flower), Bowling Coach(Heath Streak), and fielding coach (Murray Goodwin). Heath Streak focused on the pace attack and worked hard with Kyle Jarvis, Ed Rainsford, Chris Mpofu, Shingrai Mazakadza and Gerald Aleseni, while keeping a watchful eye on young Ryan Sloan at the Midwest Rhinos. Mpofu's pace increased to 87mph in 5 months and his fitness improved dramatically.

Grant Flower took the batters from the national side and worked on the techniques of some of the younger players. Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Mazakadza, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and the surprise inclusion of former Under 19's batter Pete Moor benefited greatly from their time with their new batting mentor. 30's were made into 50's, and those 50's were then turned into 100's and by 2011 Zimbabwe had one of the strongest outfits they produced for the past 7-8 years.

The 2011 world Cup was fast approaching and the Zimbabwean players had a 5 match tournament against the Australians, something of a rarity you could say. Not only did Zimbabwe beat The Aussies, they smashed them ! Sean Williams scored five 50's and Andy Blignaut scored two 100's in the series. Fast bowler Kyle Jarvis ripped through the Australian top order in all 5 matches, while the spin of Graeme Cremer and veteran Ray Price kept it tight in the middle overs. The nation of Zimbabwe was back, and better than ever !

2011 was the turning point. Zimbabwe beat Kenya and New Zealand comprehensively and progressed through to the Super 8's stage of the tournament.They then went on to beat Bangladesh and squash the might of England with relative ease, though wicket keeper Tatenda Taibu broke a finger and had to return to Harare. From there on Zimbabwe failed to win a match, and were sent home by the mighty South Africans.

However 2012 brought a huge loss with it. Ray Price announced his retirement from all forms of international and domestic cricket, but planned to help Robin Brown run the under 19's side. He released a statement on Mark 21st 2012;

I am officially announcing my retirement from all forms of cricket in pursuit of a coaching spot with the under 19's side. I have watched our boys for the past 4 years and i must say that I've been very impressed. I'm 36 years old now and wish to give back Zimbabwean Cricket what it gave me. I'd like to thank all my team mates for sticking with me, and to my coaching staff who've been a real help for me, both mentally and physically

It took Price just 2 weeks to become the head spin coach of the Zimbabwean National Side, thus helping young spinners Graeme Cremer, Timcen Maruma and Greg Strydom.
Later that year Zimbabwe were granted back there Test Status. They played a 3 match test series against Bangladesh and won 2-1. Considering the side hadn't played a test match for over 8 years, it was a huge mile stone.

Now, three years after their exit from the T20 World Cup Zimbabwe have a strong and settled squad of players, a good mix of black and white and youth and experience. The Current Squad to tour England has been recently announced;
T.Taibu(Wkt/Cpt), Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura, Sean Ervine, Craig Ervine, Hamilton Mazakadza, Graeme Cremer, Andy Blignaut, Kyle Jarvis, Timcen Maruma, Anthony Ireland, Prosper Utsea, Pete Moor, Tendai Chitara

The A squad to tour India has also been announced this week;
Mark Vermuelan(Cpt), Keegan Meth, Foster Mutizwa(Wkt), Ryan Sloan, Bradley Staddon, Gerald Aleseni, Gavin Ewing, Terrance Duffin, Chamu Chibhaba, Gary Balance, Daniel Landman, N.Doyle, Hilary Matanga, Waddington Maweyenga, Greg Strydom

[eugene]

A well written review. I don't think anyone on this forum will even find anything offensive in it - although one can never be sure.

[jamthala]

good article.

[ZIMDOGGY]

A well written review. I don't think anyone on this forum will even find anything offensive in it - although one can never be sure.

HAHA

[eugene]

A well written review. I don't think anyone on this forum will even find anything offensive in it - although one can never be sure.

HAHA

I thought you would appreciate that comment ZIMDOGGY.

[Boundary]

Ha ha, I love it. Especially this part I'd love to see come true:

Mpofu's pace increased to 87mph in 5 months and his fitness improved dramatically.

Amazingly all this can happen, although I can't see us justifiably not picking Mutizwa after this year, if his domestic form holds up in the new season.

[morgieb]

Haha, good post. Perhaps it proves that dreams are free. :p

[Zimfanatic69]

I think Greg Strydom needs to lose alot of weight before he is back in the national team. He is too fat.

[sloandog]

I think Greg Strydom needs to lose alot of weight before he is back in the national team. He is too fat.

Hmm I'm not too sure. I speak to Greg regularly and he's said to me on more than one occasion that he's lost a lot of weight and has improved on both his bowling and batting technique. I reckon if Greg Strydom was given another chance he's thrive

[Zimfanatic69]

I think Greg Strydom needs to lose alot of weight before he is back in the national team. He is too fat.

Hmm I'm not too sure. I speak to Greg regularly and he's said to me on more than one occasion that he's lost a lot of weight and has improved on both his bowling and batting technique. I reckon if Greg Strydom was given another chance he's thrive

I have not seen him for couple of years so maybe he has already put in the hard yards.