The team:
Now in the past 4 to 5 years, we've taken out poor sides to Bangladesh. I remember the tour in 2005-06 when the likes of Rinke, Strydom, Dabengwa and Maregwede were in the starting 11, in doing so we failed to pass 200 on any occasion.
But over the past 18 months our side has grown a lot stronger, and in my opinion, this looks to be on of our stronger squads to have toured Bangladesh. With the young talents of Meth, Butterworth and Chagabva in the squad, things are beginning to shift into place, and it's obvious that Alistair Campbell is beginning to build for the future.
The main guys:
In every squad you have that player who has the x-factor. In Bangladesh's team it's Iqbal and Shakib-al-Hasan, in South Africa's side it's Steyn and Morkal with the ball. So I thought i'd have a crack at singling out our main guys.
Brendan Taylor:
Since his debut in 2004, he's progressed into a solid opening batter, and has turned out to be a superb partner for Mazakadza. His footwork at times can be questionable, but his eye and talent isn't. It seems to me that he's hitting the ball much crisper now days, where as in the past he's struggled to time the ball well. If we're to win this tour, Taylor has to be firing, because when he gets going we all know he can tear any bowling attack to pieces.#
Tatenda Taibu:
Again he's an extremely important part of the squad. I think he's one of the few players in the squad who is able to take runs off the spinners and but them under pressure. I've heard that Butterworth has this ability, but I've never seen him play so i can't really comment.
Ray Price:
We've been lacking that quality edge to our bowling attack for some time now, and it was obvious in South Africa that we missed Price. He spins the ball, he has great control and he loves to get stuck into the batters. Chris Mpofu could take a leaf out of his book
He's going to be our go-to man this series. Keegan Meth:
A lot has been said about this boy, and the fact that he took 4 wickets and scored 30 runs in a lsing cause outlines his ability as an all-rounder at international level. In another thread i think a forum member said he could fulfill the role of Andy Blignaut. Well....yeah he could
He's not got the pace of Blignaut, but he has something Blignaut never had in the aerly stages of his career,....control. He has superb control over his out swinger and in swinger, not to mention the fact that he has 3 different slower balls. Watch this space. Elton Chigumbura:
If we'e going to have balance in our side, this man needs to bat and bowl. It's not fair to give the burden to Keegan Meth to play the only all-rounder in the team. Chigumbura knows he has the ability to bowl quickly, and we all know how dangerous he is with the bat. It's time for him to get some balls and run in with that new ball, or atleast second change...
Finally, i'd just like to say this.
Considering Zimbabwe were inches from being disregarded as a full ICC member 3-4 years ago, i think it's important that we remember that small steps are being taken in the right direction. Too many times we've seen one step forward and then two steps backward. We're heading in the right direction, we've got the coaching staff, we've got the talent, we've got time. So please, be patient. Success will come with time.
