WCQ Squad predictions thread

[secretzimbo]

I forgot about Chatara. You are right they'll probably pick him.

I'll always stick up for Jongwe but even I wouldn't put him in an ODI squad right now. T20s yes, every time. But he isn't fit enough to bowl 10 high quality overs currently.

[Googly]

Myers i want to see in the pakistan shaheens one day matches preferably at 3 or 4.
I think Burl needs to be careful long term as his ODI stats arent great. Campbell may well get his spot soon if he keeps his short format form up

Burl is a better batsman than his stats indicate. A bit to do with his spot in the line up. He's a quality batsman.

[zimbos_05]

We have quite a few bowling options spin wise when you consider that we still have Williams, Burl, and Raza. In saying that then, you don't want to just have options, you want lethality and usefulness. I think it's clear that batting is our weak spot, so I don't think you pick both Wellington and Brandon. You pick one or the other.

I wouldn't have Jongwe near the side. I just don't rate him and have fallen off of him ever since his Kit debacle.

I'd be tempted to take Marumani and Madande.

[jaybro]

My thoughts are that the squad ultimately picks itself, the only contentious selection is whether to go with an extra batsman ie Myers, an allrounder ie Jongwe, or potential x-factor bowler ie Mavuta.

I just feel that with this tournament, at some stage we will need some x-factor that the likes of Sri Lanka & West Indies have, and other teams like Nepal bring with Sandeep Lamichhane. Therefore I think it's smart that we include Mavuta, yes he can be erratic, but he can also take wickets and I just feel by the end of the tournament, the pitches will be super worn out, and spin will play a factor.

My Squad

Top Order
Innocent Kaia
Wes Madhevere
Tadiwanahse Marumani wk
Craig Ervine

Like I said in regard to the squad, the top order picks itself really. Kaia & Wes will open I think, with Ervine dropping back to his preferred spot of No.3 with Ballance now gone. Marumani will offer the back-up option to open, and can also be the back-up keeper. It would be good if he could build on his 50 v the Shaheens in the upcoming List A games, but ultimately I don't think there is another option keeper unless we go down the Gumbie or Mayavo route.

Middle Order/ Allrounders
Sean Williams
Sikandar Raza
Clive Madande wk
Ryan Burl
Luke Jongwe

First four guys again pick themselves and will make up the middle order. We do have the option of moving Wes down to the middle as well, or even Marumani, so I didn't see the need of having Myers or another middle order bat. Jongwe has ability to make a difference, and also gives Zim the option to play 4-seamers, or even 2-spinners with him as an allrounder.

Spinners
Wellington Masakadza
Brandon Mavuta

Again these guys pick themselves, I can think of anyone else really pushing for their spot, and although Zim will likely have 4-spin bowling allrounders already in the side, these guys give the squad options depending on the match ups or pitch conditions.

Seamers
Blessing Muzarabani
Richard Ngarava
Brad Evans
Tendai Chatara

The only conjecture here is whether to pick Chatara or not. IMO he still deserves a spot and is better than Nyauchi who pretty much becomes redundant after the first 10-overs and the ball stops swinging. I'd be tempted to play Chivanga because of his pace, but I just don't trust him at this stage and I feel Chatara will rise to the occasion.

[Kriterion_BD]

Good post by jaybro.

My thoughts are that the bulk of the side are automatic selections. Kaia, Madhevere, Ervine, Williams, Raza, Burl, Madande, Wellington, Mavuta, Muzurabani, Ngarava, and Evans are no brainers. The other three slots are debatable.

Personally I would definitely pick Myers. I liked what I saw of him, and he is clearly not rusty given how did vs the Shaheens. He's the best of the next gen batters IMO. You have to pick him IMO, and he can bowl a bit too. Generally, I wouldn't pick Marumani, but everyone else rates him, and also ICC events is where you want to test guys to see what they are made of, so you almost have to pick him too. The last one is a three-way horse race vs Chatara, Nyauchi, and Chivanga. They all bring something different to the table. Chatara has the experience, Nyauch can swing it, and Chivanga has pace and aggression. That is a really tough call, and personally I think an equal case can be made for all 3.

[mnelson68]

I.Kaia
W.Madhevere
C.Ervine
S.Williams
J.Campbell
S.Raza
R.Burl
C.Madande
B.Evans
R.Ngarava
B.Muzarabami

D.Myers
W.Mazakadza
V.Nyauchi
B.Bennett

[secretzimbo]

We have quite a few bowling options spin wise when you consider that we still have Williams, Burl, and Raza. In saying that then, you don't want to just have options, you want lethality and usefulness. I think it's clear that batting is our weak spot, so I don't think you pick both Wellington and Brandon. You pick one or the other. .

It’s likely to be spin friendly at this time of year and considering the volume of matches in the tournament though. Depends where our games are of course. Bulawayo will spin a lot in winter. I don’t think they’ll schedule any Zim games at Takashinga due to the crowd sizes but that is a minefield recently. Like something from deepest Bangladesh.

I think we will need one of the specialist spinners in the XI every match, especially in 50-over cricket. Masakadza offers some reliability while I think Mavuta will clean up especially against the associate sides.

[Donald]

We could have a wildcard or two dependent on who performs in the 6 ODI matches against Pakistan A

[Crastle_cog]

Certainly open for change in consideration of performances in the shaheens series. For the time being though this is my pick:
Ervine
Kaia
Wes
Marumani (wk)
Raza
Williams
Burl
Madande (wk)
Mavuta
Wellington
Evans
Nyauchi
Muzarabani
Ngarava
Myers

If the Regis comeback stories are true, would have him over Marumani. Campbell is an interesting one but unfortunately Willams Burl Raza all three can do his role and better. I wouldn't have either of Chats or Jongwe in Odis personally. You can't get a bulk of overs of Jongwe nowadays and Chats has just fallen off. Would have both of them around the T20 side but not here please.

[tawac]

Having a headache on which players to pick and their roles is a very healthy headache to have in Zimbabwe cricket terms because beyond the big 4 or 5 we really had nothing to go on. The next couple of games and what ultimately happens on the training field will have a bearing on who makes the final. It will be good to have players like Myers, Marumanani, Chivanga making a chase for selection.