Test XI - Windies series

[Yorker]

Will blessing be back for windies series?

I wonder why he isn't playing the ODIs, he was back in the country before the last T20I in this current series was played.

Quadriceps injury

Shame. I hope he'll be recovered before the Tests.

[jaybro]

With the Irish series over, attention no turns to the test series which starts in 10 or so days. There's also a warm-up game for the Windies which should provide a rare opportunity for Zimbabwe to try some new guys out in this format.

Looking at the opening position, we all expect Innocent Kaia to debut at the top of the order, but who will partner him? As mentioned earlier in the thread, the last Zimbabwean Test opening pair was Taku Kaitano & Milton Shumba. Kaitano is terribly out of form and Shumba hasn't opened in a match since that Test, although he has scored a century in the ongoing Tuskers match v Rhinos.

I've had a look at the numbers and of all the Zimbabwean openers in this years Logan Cup, it's Tanunurwa Makoni who leads the way with 327 runs @36 with two half centuries, but is that enough to earn him a Test debut? His numbers over the past 3-seasons are 917 runs @ 32 with a century & five 50s. Kudzai Manuze is the leading Zimbabwean domestic opener during that period with 992 runs @35 with a century and six 50s, his numbers this year are similar with an average of around 39.

Kaitano comes in next over the last 3-years with 889 runs @ nearly 33, but he has two centuries and five 50s plus that 80 odd of course on Test debut. Innocent Kaia is next with 854 runs @ 44.95 with seven half centuries, a best of 99. Joylord Gumbie is next in-line with 786 runs @30 with a century and five 50s, but more importantly he's been in-form of late averaging 51 this season for the Goats.

I don't see there being any other openers on the domestic scene close enough for selection, although the selectors might choose to go for a 'Top-Order' batsman to open. Chamu has done ok back in the ODI side, and he has always seemed one of the more comfortable guys for Zimbabwe at facing pace bowling. His numbers over the past 3-years are modest with 534 runs @33 with a century and two 50s, that ton coming this season.

Ben Curran could be an outside chance, his numbers in the last 3-years are 534 runs @ 53.40 with a century and two 50s, his last match he scored his century and was run-out for 70 in the 2nd dig. He's also 5th on the run charts this season, averaging 56, he's the highest ranked opener/ top order player. They might decide to go with Milton Shumba considering his recent ton, his numbers over the last 3-years are 746 runs @39 with a century and three 50s.

The selectors should be able to try a few of these guys out in the warm-up match, personally I think I would like to see Manuze and Gumbie open with Curran at No.3 if he is indeed available. I think young Makoni needs to do a bit more, whilst Gumbie & Manuze have done the hard yards on the local scene for a long time. I still think Kaitano & Kasuza (whos fallen off a cliff) have the techniques and ability to be a good opening pair, but they simply don't have the runs this season.

[TapsC2]

I guess the tour match will decide a lot of things. Is Gumbie still a wicket keeper? Whoever scores in the warm up will probably get picked. I think Shumba has a good chance

[secretzimbo]

I think the squad will be;

Maunze
Kaia
Ervine
Ballance
Raza
Burl
1 of Shumba/Madhevere/Marumani
Madande
Masakadza
Mavuta
Evans
Chivanga
Nyauchi
Muzarabani
Ngarava

With Williams added for the second test if fit.
Not sure if Blessing is available.

[jaybro]

I think the squad will be;

Maunze
Kaia
Ervine
Ballance
Raza
Burl
1 of Shumba/Madhevere/Marumani
Madande
Masakadza
Mavuta
Evans
Chivanga
Nyauchi
Muzarabani
Ngarava

With Williams added for the second test if fit.
Not sure if Blessing is available.

Yeah that’s pretty close to what I’m thinking too!

[jaybro]

The team for the warm-up game might be something like this -

Manuze
Gumbie
Curran
Shumba
Munyonga
Madhevere
Marumani wk
Tiripano
Faraz Akram
Chivanga
Mufudza

With Masuku from Tuskers seemingly MIA and the likes of Mumba injured, I can’t really see or think of many other bowling options.

Just shows that’s definitely an area where Zimbabwe need to unearth some talent. The Rhinos are still rolling out Chingwara & Chinyoa who are mid 30s.

[TapsC2]

Another good question will be if Nyauchi and Chivanga are better than Ngarava and Evans in this format. I don't think we will prepare a surface that offers help for seamers because of Gabriel and Joseph and that makes me concerned about Evans and Nyauchi.

I think for the warm up Mavuta, Evans Nyauchi and Chivanga should be the bowlers then we see from there.

[secretzimbo]

Queens generally less favourable for seamers than Harare in recent years but we don’t play much cricket there so no idea what pitch they will prepare.

I think our lineup in the warm up match will be stronger than that above. Maybe we won’t risk the first choice seamers but I expect us to field a strong batting lineup - most haven’t played much red ball cricket recently so need the practice.

Not sure if it will be a First Class match or not. The recent trend around the world is to field 13-14 players per side in tour games.

[sam_ahm]

Is Muzarabani available for the Tests? I mean is he fit?

[jaybro]

I know it's very early to be looking at weather forecasts, but it looks like rain in Bulawayo during the first Test

https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/zim ... lawayo/ext

Things can certainly change a lot between now and then.