Zim vs Eng 2003 vs 2025

[therealbigdeal]

Here's the team that played in our last test against England and the current probable XI. Which team do you guys think is better and why?

2003 1st and 2nd Test XI:
1-Dion Ebrahim (Bat-Avg 22.68)
2-Mark Vermeulen(Bat-Avg 24.94)
3-Stuart Carlisle(Bat-Avg 26.91)
4-Grant Flower(Bat-Avg 29.94)
5-Tatenda Taibu [wk] (Bat-Avg 30.31)
6-Sean Ervine(Bat-Avg 32.62, Bowl-Avg 43.11)
7-Heath Streak*(Bat-Avg 22.35, Bowl-Avg 28.14)
8-Andy Blignaut(Bat-Avg 26.84, Bowl-Avg 37.05)
9-Travis Friend( Bat-Avg 29.80, Bowl-Avg 43.60)
10-Ray Price(Bowl Avg 36.06)
11-Douglas Hondo(Bowl Avg 36.85)

2025 Likely Test XI:
1-Ben Curran(Bat-Avg 30.70)
2-Brian Bennett(Bat-Avg 32.00, Bowl Avg-38.16)
3-Nick Welch(Bat-Avg 26.83)
4-Craig Ervine*(Bat-Avg 35.02)
5-Sean Williams(Bat-Avg 44.26, Bowl Avg 49.96)
6-Sikandar Raza(Bat-Avg 36.74, Bowl Avg 40.78)
7-Tafadzwa Tsiga [wk] (Bat-Avg 11.50)
8-Newman Nyamhuri(Bat-Avg 9.00, Bowl-Avg 61.75)
9-Richard Ngarava(Bowl-Avg 42.85)
10-Blessing Muzarabani(Bowl-Avg 21.84)
11-Victor Nyauchi(Bowl-Avg 37.26)

Bench:
12- Clive Madande(Bat-Avg 5.00)
13-Wellington Masakadza(Bat-Avg 8.66, Bowl-Avg 30.69)
14-Trevor Gwandu(Bowl-Avg 55.75)
15-Wesley Madhevere(Bat-Avg 21.00, Bowl-Avg 31.80)

My Thoughts:
The 2025 team seems to be better and I don't think the match is going to be a bloodbath like people are making it out to be even though England are going to win. England's attack is inexperienced and only marginally better than Ireland's and we didn't do too badly in Belfast .

[sloandog]

Look at those all rounders

Ervine
Streak
Blignaut (sharp)
Friend (sharp)

I think the depth of that 2003 side is much better in terms of the batting and overall ballance. Our batters today are much better though.

Mad to think that a few months after this game Ervine and Williams made their FC debuts.

[Andy31]

I would back the 25 side but back 03 in a fight.

[Pat_Bee]

2025 team is better clearly, it’s got raza in it. Greatest player to ever play for Zim.

[Pat_Bee]

6-Sikandar Raza(Bat-Avg 36.74, Bowl Avg 40.78)


13-Wellington Masakadza(Bat-Avg 8.66, Bowl-Avg 30.69)

How exactly is raza the best spinner?

[ZIMDOGGY]

Here's the team that played in our last test against England and the current probable XI. Which team do you guys think is better and why?

2003 1st and 2nd Test XI:
1-Dion Ebrahim (Bat-Avg 22.68)
2-Mark Vermeulen(Bat-Avg 24.94)
3-Stuart Carlisle(Bat-Avg 26.91)
4-Grant Flower(Bat-Avg 29.94)
5-Tatenda Taibu [wk] (Bat-Avg 30.31)
6-Sean Ervine(Bat-Avg 32.62, Bowl-Avg 43.11)
7-Heath Streak*(Bat-Avg 22.35, Bowl-Avg 28.14)
8-Andy Blignaut(Bat-Avg 26.84, Bowl-Avg 37.05)
9-Travis Friend( Bat-Avg 29.80, Bowl-Avg 43.60)
10-Ray Price(Bowl Avg 36.06)
11-Douglas Hondo(Bowl Avg 36.85)

2025 Likely Test XI:
1-Ben Curran(Bat-Avg 30.70)
2-Brian Bennett(Bat-Avg 32.00, Bowl Avg-38.16)
3-Nick Welch(Bat-Avg 26.83)
4-Craig Ervine*(Bat-Avg 35.02)
5-Sean Williams(Bat-Avg 44.26, Bowl Avg 49.96)
6-Sikandar Raza(Bat-Avg 36.74, Bowl Avg 40.78)
7-Tafadzwa Tsiga [wk] (Bat-Avg 11.50)
8-Newman Nyamhuri(Bat-Avg 9.00, Bowl-Avg 61.75)
9-Richard Ngarava(Bowl-Avg 42.85)
10-Blessing Muzarabani(Bowl-Avg 21.84)
11-Victor Nyauchi(Bowl-Avg 37.26)

Bench:
12- Clive Madande(Bat-Avg 5.00)
13-Wellington Masakadza(Bat-Avg 8.66, Bowl-Avg 30.69)
14-Trevor Gwandu(Bowl-Avg 55.75)
15-Wesley Madhevere(Bat-Avg 21.00, Bowl-Avg 31.80)

My Thoughts:
The 2025 team seems to be better and I don't think the match is going to be a bloodbath like people are making it out to be even though England are going to win. England's attack is inexperienced and only marginally better than Ireland's and we didn't do too badly in Belfast .

I disagree. The 2003 team only ever played top teams. The 2025 very rarely does. Some players have never played a top 6 team.

Players like Carlisle are better than Ervine.

[therealbigdeal]

I disagree. The 2003 team only ever played top teams. The 2025 very rarely does. Some players have never played a top 6 team.

Players like Carlisle are better than Ervine.

Ervine and Williams scored 100s in 2016 vs a NZ attack that had Wagner, Southee and Boult. Yes, Craig is not the same calibre as his brother Sean but he's not significantly worse either like people are making him and the rest of our current team out to be

[zimbot]

Here's the team that played in our last test against England and the current probable XI. Which team do you guys think is better and why?

2003 1st and 2nd Test XI:
1-Dion Ebrahim (Bat-Avg 22.68)
2-Mark Vermeulen(Bat-Avg 24.94)
3-Stuart Carlisle(Bat-Avg 26.91)
4-Grant Flower(Bat-Avg 29.94)
5-Tatenda Taibu [wk] (Bat-Avg 30.31)
6-Sean Ervine(Bat-Avg 32.62, Bowl-Avg 43.11)
7-Heath Streak*(Bat-Avg 22.35, Bowl-Avg 28.14)
8-Andy Blignaut(Bat-Avg 26.84, Bowl-Avg 37.05)
9-Travis Friend( Bat-Avg 29.80, Bowl-Avg 43.60)
10-Ray Price(Bowl Avg 36.06)
11-Douglas Hondo(Bowl Avg 36.85)

2025 Likely Test XI:
1-Ben Curran(Bat-Avg 30.70)
2-Brian Bennett(Bat-Avg 32.00, Bowl Avg-38.16)
3-Nick Welch(Bat-Avg 26.83)
4-Craig Ervine*(Bat-Avg 35.02)
5-Sean Williams(Bat-Avg 44.26, Bowl Avg 49.96)
6-Sikandar Raza(Bat-Avg 36.74, Bowl Avg 40.78)
7-Tafadzwa Tsiga [wk] (Bat-Avg 11.50)
8-Newman Nyamhuri(Bat-Avg 9.00, Bowl-Avg 61.75)
9-Richard Ngarava(Bowl-Avg 42.85)
10-Blessing Muzarabani(Bowl-Avg 21.84)
11-Victor Nyauchi(Bowl-Avg 37.26)

Bench:
12- Clive Madande(Bat-Avg 5.00)
13-Wellington Masakadza(Bat-Avg 8.66, Bowl-Avg 30.69)
14-Trevor Gwandu(Bowl-Avg 55.75)
15-Wesley Madhevere(Bat-Avg 21.00, Bowl-Avg 31.80)

My Thoughts:
The 2025 team seems to be better and I don't think the match is going to be a bloodbath like people are making it out to be even though England are going to win. England's attack is inexperienced and only marginally better than Ireland's and we didn't do too badly in Belfast .

Combined XI:

1. Grant Flower
2. Brian Bennett (hasn't played enough. Makes it on potential)
3. Stuart Carlisle
4. Sean Williams
5. Sikandar Raza
6. Sean Ervive
7. Taibu (wk)
8. Streak (c)
9. Blignaut
10. Price
11. Muzarabani

[ZIMDOGGY]

I am actually curious how Welch and Bennett go becasue they have technical issues in their batting. I’m curious how they will fare against a slightly higher calibre of pace attack, or if they get exposed.

[ZIMDOGGY]

I disagree. The 2003 team only ever played top teams. The 2025 very rarely does. Some players have never played a top 6 team.

Players like Carlisle are better than Ervine.

Ervine and Williams scored 100s in 2016 vs a NZ attack that had Wagner, Southee and Boult. Yes, Craig is not the same calibre as his brother Sean but he's not significantly worse either like people are making him and the rest of our current team out to be

9 year gap aside, Williams and Ervine are our stars. Players like Carlisle were just making the team. See the difference?