Test Series v New Zealand Squad
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Marshmallow
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Re: Test Series v New Zealand Squad
BT doesn't want to play competitive cricket before he gets picked? Different rules for different people
Re: Test Series v New Zealand Squad
Bennett
Curran
Welch
Taylor
Ervine (c)
Williams
Raza
Tsiga (wk)
Nyamhuri
Chivanga
Muzarabani
That’s probably the strongest 11, Raza is the best spin option we have in the squad so no need for Masekesa or welly.
Tsiga is a much better option than Madande but really needs runs. I really want him to do well.
Batting lineup picks itself, a lot healthier with BT in there and our main openers back. Campbell should be in that squad though ahead of Makoni!
They could go Gwandu over Nyamhuri, tbh I have been really impressed with Gwandu in the shorter form recently so hopefully he can bring that form to tests. He has come on loads over the past couple of years.
Curran
Welch
Taylor
Ervine (c)
Williams
Raza
Tsiga (wk)
Nyamhuri
Chivanga
Muzarabani
That’s probably the strongest 11, Raza is the best spin option we have in the squad so no need for Masekesa or welly.
Tsiga is a much better option than Madande but really needs runs. I really want him to do well.
Batting lineup picks itself, a lot healthier with BT in there and our main openers back. Campbell should be in that squad though ahead of Makoni!
They could go Gwandu over Nyamhuri, tbh I have been really impressed with Gwandu in the shorter form recently so hopefully he can bring that form to tests. He has come on loads over the past couple of years.
Re: Test Series v New Zealand Squad
I think a fair bit of that is actually pressure from ZC to try stem the bleeding. The timing is not good in that the tests and games are lined up and there's no gaps and qualifiers are around the corner.
Obviously there's no guarantee he's going to do well.
Not many guys come back from a 4 year lay off at his age and slip straight back into international cricket.
What will be interesting is how patient they will be if he has a poor start. The bar is not high though.
I'd doubt he's had much time on grass against actual bowling. I'd love to see the practice sessions next week in Byo.
Assuming he impresses, where will he bat? Thats the big question. To slot straight into the 3 or 4 position? Who knows with ZC It would be more prudent to have him at 5/6.
Pollock is 100% correct. We produce new ball pitches. Those first 15-20 overs is unbelievably tough and you need some luck as well.
Will Curran be fit? Another big question.
A line up of Bennett, Curran, Welch, Williams, Ervine, BT, and Raza will absolutely cause an eye twitch. Welch may well be the casualty again.
Obviously there's no guarantee he's going to do well.
Not many guys come back from a 4 year lay off at his age and slip straight back into international cricket.
What will be interesting is how patient they will be if he has a poor start. The bar is not high though.
I'd doubt he's had much time on grass against actual bowling. I'd love to see the practice sessions next week in Byo.
Assuming he impresses, where will he bat? Thats the big question. To slot straight into the 3 or 4 position? Who knows with ZC
It would be more prudent to have him at 5/6. Pollock is 100% correct. We produce new ball pitches. Those first 15-20 overs is unbelievably tough and you need some luck as well.
Will Curran be fit? Another big question.
A line up of Bennett, Curran, Welch, Williams, Ervine, BT, and Raza will absolutely cause an eye twitch. Welch may well be the casualty again.
Re: Test Series v New Zealand Squad
If BT was looking like a million bucks and they were prepared to risk him at 3, Welch would be much better suited at 5/6 because he likes bat on ball and probably plays too many shots at 3 early on. That would be a better balance.
If Curran doesnt play will they play Makoni or will they put Welch at 2? Makoni would be in the deep end for sure.
Trial by fire is coming, NZ are good. Theyre all good at this level, this is a tough unforgiving sport.
If Curran doesnt play will they play Makoni or will they put Welch at 2? Makoni would be in the deep end for sure.
Trial by fire is coming, NZ are good. Theyre all good at this level, this is a tough unforgiving sport.
Re: Test Series v New Zealand Squad
If the eye twitch is real bad Welch wont play.
Re: Test Series v New Zealand Squad
This is a good team.CalZim wrote: ↑Mon Jul 21, 2025 5:24 pmBennett
Curran
Welch
Taylor
Ervine (c)
Williams
Raza
Tsiga (wk)
Nyamhuri
Chivanga
Muzarabani
That’s probably the strongest 11, Raza is the best spin option we have in the squad so no need for Masekesa or welly.
Tsiga is a much better option than Madande but really needs runs. I really want him to do well.
Batting lineup picks itself, a lot healthier with BT in there and our main openers back. Campbell should be in that squad though ahead of Makoni!
They could go Gwandu over Nyamhuri, tbh I have been really impressed with Gwandu in the shorter form recently so hopefully he can bring that form to tests. He has come on loads over the past couple of years.
Re: Test Series v New Zealand Squad
Word. Blatant takashinga biasMarshmallow wrote: ↑Mon Jul 21, 2025 5:09 pmBT doesn't want to play competitive cricket before he gets picked? Different rules for different people
he should have been made to do 50 Logan cup seasons firstRe: Test Series v New Zealand Squad
The real pressing issue is what to do about the T20 line-up.
Qualifiers are around the corner. Their "experiment" or expected team has fallen desperately short of their expectations. I mean desperately. Woeful.
They can' t tidy it up next game either, there's only Sri Lanka to continue the "experiment".
They could do some damage control with BT back and if they fish Williams out of forced retirement. I mean there's even a case for getting Ervine to anchor at 2.
It's going backwards, but that's because the guys they've banked on reslly have not delivered.
It makes the team a lot stronger if BT could keep because that spot has been a huge problem. The only two guys left to try are Maru again and Melch and they've not given Melch the necessary exposure. The beauty for Melch is its impossible for him to do worse with the bat than these guys. He might bottle the keeping, but he just cannot be worse than any of the existing guys in the batting dept. The timing is almost right. He needs to do well in UK and then grab his chance with both hands and feet.
Qualifiers are around the corner. Their "experiment" or expected team has fallen desperately short of their expectations. I mean desperately. Woeful.
They can' t tidy it up next game either, there's only Sri Lanka to continue the "experiment".
They could do some damage control with BT back and if they fish Williams out of forced retirement. I mean there's even a case for getting Ervine to anchor at 2.
It's going backwards, but that's because the guys they've banked on reslly have not delivered.
It makes the team a lot stronger if BT could keep because that spot has been a huge problem. The only two guys left to try are Maru again and Melch and they've not given Melch the necessary exposure. The beauty for Melch is its impossible for him to do worse with the bat than these guys. He might bottle the keeping, but he just cannot be worse than any of the existing guys in the batting dept. The timing is almost right. He needs to do well in UK and then grab his chance with both hands and feet.
Re: Test Series v New Zealand Squad
In theory Wes has one more shot at coming good against NZ on Thursday, but Im sure they'll give him the Sri Lanka series as well. Problem is that eats into someone else's time to have a go at that all-important opening slot.
Munyonga had a run-out when we really needed to see him. I almost saw enuf- he's unconvincing at this level.
Myers should have had a go instead of Madande after that first game, so they've jammed him up as well.
Musekiwa, as decent as he could potentially be, is not a proven "finisher," the opposite in fact. I think he's going to be unconvincing at this level. The dots dont work.
Maru is better all day than Clive. He should have played. They've jammed him up as well. He has experience though, its not like he's untested.
They've shot themselves and the fans in the foot with this "experimental" team at this crucial juncture.
Munyonga had a run-out when we really needed to see him. I almost saw enuf- he's unconvincing at this level.
Myers should have had a go instead of Madande after that first game, so they've jammed him up as well.
Musekiwa, as decent as he could potentially be, is not a proven "finisher," the opposite in fact. I think he's going to be unconvincing at this level. The dots dont work.
Maru is better all day than Clive. He should have played. They've jammed him up as well. He has experience though, its not like he's untested.
They've shot themselves and the fans in the foot with this "experimental" team at this crucial juncture.
Re: Test Series v New Zealand Squad
Is BT actually as good as everyone remembers lol? Espncricinfo says his t20i strike rate is 118. Wez’s is 115 and guys say he’s too slow