Under 19 players like Murray, Keefe, Ives, Matigmu and Snyder aren't around or signed to any side. History shows young guys like Coventry and BRMT playing Logan cup as teenagers......
No import players any more
If the squads were better balanced, the under 19 players stuck around and English imports were spending the summer in Zimbabwe then I feel a 5-6 team comp would be ok .....
Agreed. Guys like Coventry and Taylor started when they were like 15 or 16 didn't they. So why aren't the same opportunities being afforded to (genuinely) talented young players like TJS?
I take on board the thinking behind schooling, but if it's a game being played over holidays or something (like I imagine the current Rhinos v Tuskers game is) then what's the problem? And surely there is some prestige in a student playing First Class cricket that a school (particularly a sports oriented one) would grant some time off occasionally?
I think the plan put in place by Coach Mangongo is sound to have the under 19s play together in the upcoming LIST A tournament will help bring the kids along.I think the kids playing together will allow us to build a string under 19 side and also ensures that the kids will get full expousre whether it be bowling their full 10 overs or batting in their preferred slot. Currently the ZPL has a rule that at least 2 under 19s must be picked to play thus preparing the kids for the next level. Where we are getting it wrong is using the club system as the first bottle neck that will sift out the mediocre players and also expose the frauds playing FC cricket
Our player pool is large and we have serious talent that unfortunately due to the economy has kids looking at other options. The fact that we can have James Bruce simply waltz into a side and grab wickets and score a fifty shows that one we have players who were overlooked and two that we are carrying junk. I think the the former is true . I honestly belive Harare needs a second team as most of the talent is concentrated in the capital.
