Decent Zim take on Roaring Tigers

[zimfan1]

Decent Zim take on Roaring Tigers PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 07 August 2009 16:08

BRENDAN Taylor arrived in Bulawayo yesterday to join the Zimbabwe cricket team for the five-match ODI series against Bangladesh, ending speculation over his role in the matches.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Taylor jetted into Harare from Australia on Wednesday, joining his teammates here yesterday afternoon ahead of the first one-dayer at the Queens Sports Club on Sunday.

Taylor will play for a Zimbabwe “A” side in a warm-up match against Bangladesh at Bulawayo Athletic Club today.


New convener of selectors Alistair Campbell named Taylor in a 15-man squad at a glittering Zimbabwe Cricket Players’ Awards ceremony in the city on Wednesday night.

Taylor’s absence from the training squad had been criticised in some quarters as a dent on team spirit, especially at a time the team is trying to use collective effort against a Bangladesh side touring on the back of a historic Test and ODI series win over a weakened West Indies side.

Notwithstanding, this team is the best side assembled by Zimbabwe in the last four years or so, perhaps further indication that the country is gradually moving towards the best possible Zimbabwe XI again.

Yet it wasn’t without surprises — or controversies if one wants to be dramatic.

The biggest casualty was Forster Mutizwa, the promising wicketkeeper batsman who came to the fore in the 5-0 whitewash of Kenya.

Not that many countries in the world axe one of their best batsman from the immediate previous series, and Mutizwa has every reason to feel hard done by; moreso when you consider that there are three batsmen in the team, Chamu Chibhabha, Charles Coventry and Malcolm Waller, who had an equal if not lesser chance of making the side.

Mutizwa has dropped down to the “A” side, captained by suspended national team wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu, to play in the warm-up match at BAC.

Also going down is pace bowler Chris Mpofu. There was also no place in the national side for promising swing bowler Admire Manyumwa, who was heavily tipped to make his debut in the series.

All-rounder Keith Dabengwa is out for a lengthy period with a knee injury.

Taibu, meanwhile, will also lead the “A” side in their maiden Intercontinental Cup match against Afghanistan in Mutare starting on August 16.

The Stephen Mangongo-coached side returns to four-day cricket after claiming the scalps of ICC associate teams in a six-match winning streak.

Zimbabwe captain and offspinner Prosper Utseya was crowned Player of the Year at the Awards, edging out fellow spinner Ray Price.

Hamilton Masakadza won the Best Batsman accolade, while Price took the Best Bowler award.

Seam bowler Tawanda Mupariwa was given a special award for beating Eddo Brandes’ record to become the fastest Zimbabwean to 50 ODI wickets.

Dave Ellman-Brown, the dedicated former cricket administrator who served the game for over 40 years, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award.


Squads
Zimbabwe: Prosper Utseya (captain), Hamilton Masakadza, Mark Vermeulen, Brendan Taylor, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura, Charles Coventry, Vusi Sibanda, Chamu Chibhabha, Malcolm Waller, Ray Price, Tawanda Mupariwa, Graeme Cremer, Ed Rainsford.


Zim “A” for warm-up match: Tatenda Taibu (captain), Brendan Taylor, Chamu Chibhabha, Friday Kasteni, Bothwell Chapungu, Forster Mutizwa, Timycen Maruma, Chris Mpofu, Shingi Masakadza, Admire Manyumwa, Natsai Mushangwe, Tafadzwa Kamungozi (12th man), Trevor Garwe (13th man).

http://www.thezimbabweindependent.com/i ... ing-tigers

[zimfan1]

Taylor’s absence from the training squad had been criticised in some quarters as a dent on team spirit, especially at a time the team is trying to use collective effort against a Bangladesh side touring on the back of a historic Test and ODI series win over a weakened West Indies side.

Yet it wasn’t without surprises — or controversies if one wants to be dramatic.

Not that many countries in the world axe one of their best batsman from the immediate previous series, and Mutizwa has every reason to feel hard done by; moreso when you consider that there are three batsmen in the team, Chamu Chibhabha, Charles Coventry and Malcolm Waller, who had an equal if not lesser chance of making the side.

quite a few negative comments there

Im sensing a race argument forming again

[brmtaylor.com admin]

quite a few negative comments there

Im sensing a race argument forming again

Definitely not. Taylor not going to Zimbabwe well ahead of the series while the rest of the squad was in training could be seen as going against team spirit. Even before today's performance, Mutizwa can feel hardly done by as he's been in better form (IMO) than Chibhabha and Coventry while he and Waller both had outstanding domestic seasons.

[zimfan1]

lets hope not i just delighted that we can finally get the best team on the park

Lets hope all the race rows are behind us it certainly looks that way at the moment

I wonder after this performance Zimbabwe will think of bringing Mutizwa back into the sqaud after this performance. I definitely wouldn't rule him out of playing some part of this series

[Detective RDS]

I wonder after this performance Zimbabwe will think of bringing Mutizwa back into the sqaud after this performance. I definitely wouldn't rule him out of playing some part of this series

Forster Mutizwa should be in the national squad dropping Sibanda/Matsikenyeri and make them available for the 'A' side. Mutizwa has done well in the Kenya series averaging 40+ and domestic record is also impressive having 3 FC centuries under his belt.

[Sir Mupariwa]

i AGREE Mutizwa should play and this might be the right time for him to, he has been consistent for some time now and surely he deserves to play otherwise he might end up being another Tino Mawoyo

[Detective RDS]

i AGREE Mutizwa should play and this might be the right time for him to, he has been consistent for some time now and surely he deserves to play otherwise he might end up being another Tino Mawoyo

I don't think so. He will be always round and very close to make the squad. Probably, he is left out in order to give some depth in the batting line up of the 'A' side and also bag some more FC experience.

[Tinashce Ruswa]

Evening you all, Firstly this is the first team which resembles what we are capable of.Secondly let us not assume or think that they will get the team right in their first attempt, give the selectors their time and space so as to get their composition right.As for Foster well you can never ever put a good man down his time will come soon enough if he keeps batting like he did on Friday then they are home and dry.

So please for tommorrow lets not critique, rather lets get our braais out, wherever we are, collect our kegs and support out team which we are proud of.

Young money...I'm out...................

[maehara]

So please for tommorrow lets not critique, rather lets get our braais out, wherever we are, collect our kegs and support out team which we are proud of.

Hear, hear!!