Test XI - Windies series

[TapsC2]

Now that we know its in Bulawayo the question then arises as to who the "specialist spinner " will be. I'm not 100% sure that Burl gets into this team hey.

Will also be interesting to see if Regis pitches up. He can make it work if he is serious. That would also maybe even solve the opener problem because Regis has opened and kept wicket before in this format. A lot of work but he has done it.

[jaybro]

Now that we know its in Bulawayo the question then arises as to who the "specialist spinner " will be. I'm not 100% sure that Burl gets into this team hey.

Will also be interesting to see if Regis pitches up. He can make it work if he is serious. That would also maybe even solve the opener problem because Regis has opened and kept wicket before in this format. A lot of work but he has done it.

It’s a shootout between Wellington, Mavuta & Ndlovu I’d say, unless they finally want to give Mufudza a chance after all these years?

It will be interesting to see if the Windies make any wholesale changes to the squad after the Aussie debarcle, but looking at their latest first class season, there aren’t many options.

If they do rock up with a similar side, it will be a batting lineup made up of mostly right hand batters, which makes me think a left arm spinner might be the go.

I think most of us would like to see Mavuta given a chance, but his control is still a concern. If Zimbabwe pick just two pacers, they might play both Wellington and Mavuta.

[secretzimbo]

There’s a case for playing both Wellington and Mavuta on that ground

[ZIMDOGGY]

In terms of openers and batsman in general, can anyone remind me what happened to Tarisai Musakanda? He seemed to bat quite well early on and I know a few people thought of Burl-Musakanda as a future opening combo. Clearly Burl has focused on lower order role, but did Musakanda just lose his form?

He’s shit.

[CalZim]

There’s a case for playing both Wellington and Mavuta on that ground

That’s true, I bet they chose Bulawayo because West Indies don’t have a decent spinner for test cricket. Trouble is neither do we I would probably pick Mavuta but like you say Welly could play as well. Who would be dropped though?

Pacers should be Muzarabani and Nyauchi, do we play a 3rd??

[secretzimbo]

I like Nyauchi and this is his format, but it still feels harsh picking him over any of Evans or Ngarava. Even Chivanga’s Logan cup record is exceptional, although you feel he would be the most hampered by a poor pitch in Bulawayo

[secretzimbo]

You could even play all of Evans - Wellington - Mavuta at 7,8,9 and have a 5 man attack if we had a keeper capable of batting in the top 6 but sadly not the case unless Regis reappears.

The addition of Ballance and the fact we now have a ‘big four’ again means we might not have to have such a drastically long batting lineup.

[TapsC2]

You could even play all of Evans - Wellington - Mavuta at 7,8,9 and have a 5 man attack if we had a keeper capable of batting in the top 6 but sadly not the case unless Regis reappears.

The addition of Ballance and the fact we now have a ‘big four’ again means we might not have to have such a drastically long batting lineup.

Makes a lot of sense. Especially if Regis is around. The top 6 might be good enough to make the bulk of the runs. Maybe Wes will be the 7th batsman considering that Williams was also picking up wickets for fun in the Logan Cup.

[CalZim]

I like Nyauchi and this is his format, but it still feels harsh picking him over any of Evans or Ngarava. Even Chivanga’s Logan cup record is exceptional, although you feel he would be the most hampered by a poor pitch in Bulawayo

Evans and Ngarava wouldn’t add anything on the Bulawayo pitch, both would struggle. At least Nyauchi has the ability to swing a ball on any pitch.

He is our best swing bowler and 2nd best bowler in this format.

I would honestly be really surprised if Ngarava or Evans would be picked ahead of him.

Chivangas Logan cup record is good but it’s not as good as Nyauchi’s, who is always finishes in top 3/5 for wickets and has a 23 average (less than 20 in recent years)

[jaybro]

I like Nyauchi and this is his format, but it still feels harsh picking him over any of Evans or Ngarava. Even Chivanga’s Logan cup record is exceptional, although you feel he would be the most hampered by a poor pitch in Bulawayo

Evans and Ngarava wouldn’t add anything on the Bulawayo pitch, both would struggle. At least Nyauchi has the ability to swing a ball on any pitch.

He is our best swing bowler and 2nd best bowler in this format.

I would honestly be really surprised if Ngarava or Evans would be picked ahead of him.

Chivangas Logan cup record is good but it’s not as good as Nyauchi’s, who is always finishes in top 3/5 for wickets and has a 23 average (less than 20 in recent years)

My only gripe with Nyauchi is that he goes for lots of runs, and when the pitch isn’t offering any assistance he’s been very ineffective and gone for plenty (at test level).

Zimbabwe is blessed with at least 5 decent options for test match cricket in regard to medium fast bowlers. Blessing is obviously first pick on any surface and Ngarava is improving every match, plus his left arm gives Zimbabwe some variety.

Nyauchi has shown that in conditions suited to him he can be very effective, whilst both Evans and Chivanga have real pace and can both bat pretty well.

Has Zimbabwe ever had so many decent pace options?