If Cephas was 28 then I’d agree with getting him in the side. If we were going straight to the World Cup and needed instant results then I’d kind of agree too.
Fact is we are playing a low level qualifier, we will be very strong favourites regardless of what team we send. I agree with Taps that Wes, Marumani, Munyonga, Madande and possibly some others will have to be in that squad and get games. It’s going to be much easier playing African teams (Namibia the only real threat) than full members they have been used to recently. It’s the perfect opportunity for them to regain some confidence in international cricket.
I feel for Zhuwao too and I’m sorry he never got more opportunities. But he is simply way too old, especially considering the other bunch of old guys we have in our squad (who are better than him as well).
We have also got to consider that Its easy for Zhuwao to smash around a low level bowling attack, but as soon as he faces real pace (Namibia, Uganda) & quality spin (Kenya) he would be a walking wicket.
As much as I think we all love watching Zhuwao bat there is a reason he has been left out all these years.
If Cephas was 28 then I’d agree with getting him in the side. If we were going straight to the World Cup and needed instant results then I’d kind of agree too.
Fact is we are playing a low level qualifier, we will be very strong favourites regardless of what team we send. I agree with Taps that Wes, Marumani, Munyonga, Madande and possibly some others will have to be in that squad and get games. It’s going to be much easier playing African teams (Namibia the only real threat) than full members they have been used to recently. It’s the perfect opportunity for them to regain some confidence in international cricket.
I feel for Zhuwao too and I’m sorry he never got more opportunities. But he is simply way too old, especially considering the other bunch of old guys we have in our squad (who are better than him as well).
We have also got to consider that Its easy for Zhuwao to smash around a low level bowling attack, but as soon as he faces real pace (Namibia, Uganda) & quality spin (Kenya) he would be a walking wicket.
As much as I think we all love watching Zhuwao bat there is a reason he has been left out all these years.
Didnt zhuwayo score a first class 260 odd against the likes of kyle jarvis and other test players?
The problem, the top run scorers on the tournament that are openers were Cephas & PJ Moor, the guys who were talking about to open for t20s either didn’t show up (Ervine), didn’t open often enough (Wes or Marumani) or didn’t play enough games (Kaia).
Also as TaspC pointed out, with Kaia, Ervine, Ballance & Williams to an extent, that’s too many anchors or accumulators, not enough power hitters or quick scorers.
Burl & Raza can’t do it all, we really need someone up top to go hard, whether that’s Marumani or Kaia I’m not sure. But I’m inclined to agree with SZ, that there’s little point in going back to Cephas at his age.
Almighty choke from the Tuskers, that. Makoni is the highest run scorer among Zim openers barring Cephas, and he's done it at an eye-watering SR of 98.
Didnt zhuwayo score a first class 260 odd against the likes of kyle jarvis and other test players?
The bowling attack in that game was:
Jarvis
Chinouya
Chisoro
Maruma
Only Jarvis was a real threat in that bowling attack and he only bowled 12 overs.
Not dissing the innings though the 265 was a quality knock, he has hit a few big scores over the years and probably deserved more of a go with the national side.
My point is that he hasn't had to deal with real pace or quality spin, which 3 of the sides in that qualifier have at their disposal.
