test side against pakistan

[jaybro]

1.T.Mawoyo
2.V.Sibanda
3.H.masakadza
4.B.Taylor
5.S.Williams
6.R.Chakabva (wk)
7.E.Chigumbura
8.G.Cremer
9.S.Masakadza
10.B.Vitori
11.E.Rainsford / T.Chatara

I would have Ed Rainsford in all day actually he is my 1st seamer picked but since I know he won't get picked I put Tendai Chatara there. It's a toss up between Vitori and Chatara for me but Vitori's left armers gets him over line, both Chatara and Vitori lack stamina but since Chigs and Shingi are there to share the load both could be used in short sharpe spells of 4-5 overs which would be around 15 overs a day which shouldn't be too much of an ask. I'm tempted to stick with Waller but since he hasn't really scored alot of runs Chigs keeps the allrounder position. The most contested spot here seems to be the keeper batsman role, for this I stick with Regis as he has a great technique and I think he could be a good combination with Chigs down the order, with Chigs liking to score quickly and Regis's stone wall defence, Mutumbami is definatly the keeper of the future but he worried me against BD when the presure mounted he seemed to revert to a wild slog. Another player who would greatly benefit from A tours .......

Lets hope Sean Williams and Cremer are still around for the tests if recent rumours are true we might be stuck with Maruma and Utseya ......

[CrimsonAvenger]

It is a tricky one between Regis and Richie for the keeper role, with Regis theoretically better with technique, and Richie with a aggressive attitude. I'll go with Richie for now, and hence, agree fully with takleg's side.

Meth for Vitori if available, else, stick to this. I would bat Chigs above Richie at 6.

I get a feeling that the selectors would forget Shingi's heroics in his last outing (wickets and great rearguard with Hamilton in an attempt to save the test) and go with Panyangara. I also feel that Utseya would be preferred over Cremer and Maruma might sneak in somewhere. That would put huge pressure on Hamilton and BT to perform every single time they walk out to the center.

[eugene]

The selectors have a very short memory with Shingi it seems, anything good he does is soon forgotten.

In terms of the wicketkeeper, I prefer Mutumbami as I think he has better potential than Regis who has never really achieved much of anything. With Regis you get the sense he may be able to grind out 18 or 20 runs, but never take charge or play a counter-attacking innings. I think Mutumbami might be capable of more. The other option is for Taylor to keep, although that is looking less desirable by the match.

In terms of bowling I think we will really miss Jarvis.

1. Tino Mawoyo
2. Vusi Sibanda
3. Hamilton Masakadza
4. Brendan Taylor
5. Sean Williams
6. Richmond Mutumbami
7. Elton Chigumbura
8. Graeme Cremer
9. Shingi Masakadza
10. Brian Vitori
11. Tendai Chatara

[jaybro]

Panyangara shouldn't be anywhere near the test team, he bowls nice and tight in the limited overs matches but I cant see him doing any damage in the tests .....

I also think Meth would struggle against the best teams in tests, he does get alot of movement but he is so slow the good players will have time to adjust to the movement .....

I think we're quick to forget Regis played a great innings of 63 in NZ the only guy to cross 50, he than played 1 match in the Windies where everyone struggled and finally made to open against BD which was again un-fair to him. I think he deserves 1st crack .....

The fact cremer hasn't played any cricket since the last test is very concerning ......

[AussieZimFan]

You know if Utseya or one of the other two young spinners get picked before Cremer, then Cremer is as good as gone.