Ziehl - I want to integrate the Under 19's

[gargamel]

@ Sixes . I have to agree that there is some seriously mediocre talent that has been in the franchise system. The problem is that there is no value placed on club cricket where the bad crop can be weeded out. I have met only one coach Timoni who uses stats and attends all first league games in the Vigne Cup in Mashonaland. The gap between Under 19 and FC is vast and they are players who have the skill and know how to expose and help these players with their development.I say pump something into a competitive Club league where they can prove themselves. Lets not throw them to the wolves and get them badly exposed on a grand stage hurting their chances and possibly permanently scaring the boys when they play guys with over 50 FC matches and in serious international selection contention.

[TapsC]

The major issue we have here is kids opting for uni in other countries in case their careers don't work out. the only way we can fix this is by creating an academy where these guys can continue developing and further their education at the same time. there are several options for this and I'm sure if we put our minds together we can find a solution. I think we can either open the academy in Zimbabwe and then find an international university where they can learn via correspondence. its a digital world these days.there are plenty of virtual learning opportunities. the other option is to strike a partnership with a university or universities in countries like Australia,New Zealand or SA so that these kids can learn there whilst they get involved in their cricket structures. it will cost money and a deal with those countries cricket bodies but I think its possible. The SA option would be welcomed by ZC coz its cheaper and they have a a good relationship with CSA. the correspondence route would allow us to closely monitor them as well as allow early bloomers to be swallowed by our own domestic structures.

A bit out the box but for me that's the only way we can show young players we care about them and also their parents would be happy that their children would basically be on scholarships. imagine someone like Ngarava turning down an opportunity to get a free education with a decent foreign uni and also be able to work with Makhaya Ntini in the afternoon as well. I think we would definitely retain more talent than we do now

[ZIMFAN]

Agree with TapsC that something should be done.

MHO -

Offer to pay uni fees UK/SA for talented cricketers on the proviso they sign a three year ZC contract after leaving. If they decide to opt out then they owe ZC the money back. Of course this will never happen (greedy buggers in charge would never countenance it) and should only be offered to 5/6 per year to stop costs being prohibitive. It seems simple. They should also play in Zim during their breaks.

[aydee]

Offer to pay uni fees UK/SA for talented cricketers on the proviso they sign a three year ZC contract after leaving. If they decide to opt out then they owe ZC the money back. Of course this will never happen (greedy buggers in charge would never countenance it) and should only be offered to 5/6 per year to stop costs being prohibitive. It seems simple. They should also play in Zim during their breaks.

This makes a lot of sense. Expensive though...

[tawac]

Zimbabwe Cricket turns to youth
THE recent failure by the national cricket team to progress to the Super 10 stage at the ongoing World T20 competition has prompted Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) to turn to youth as they seek to gradually rebuild in preparation for the 2019 World Cup to be hosted by in England and Wales.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO

ZC board chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani hinted last week that while they were happy with the technical department headed by Dav Whatmore, there might be a need to look elsewhere in terms of playing personnel.

ZC selectors met in the capital yesterday to deliberate on the national Under-23 side which is expected to play against ICC associate member nation Singapore in three one-day games to be played in the capital on April 13, 15 and 17 respectively.

Selection convener Kenyon Ziehl told NewsDay Sport that the squad which will be released by ZC in due course, would comprise mostly of former Under-19 players from the recent World Cups held in Australia and Bangladesh.

“We met as the selectors to deliberate on the Under-23 side which will play against Singapore in three ODIs next month. We have come up with a training squad which will be released by ZC in due course. It comprises of players who were in the Under-19 squad which did so well at the World Cup in Bangladesh as well as the previous Under-19 World Cup.”

Talent drain is one of the problems that have bedevilled Zimbabwean cricket in recent years with players such as Gary Ballance going on to play for other nations after representing the country at Under-19 level.

The Mid West Rhinos franchise administrator, however, said he was hopeful that the recent efforts by ZC would encourage their former Under-19 players to remain in the system.

“We feel it is the best opportunity to give the up-and-coming players an opportunity to show what they are made of ahead of the upcoming international matches. Hopefully, these steps taken by Zimbabwe Cricket will give confidence to the younger players as we look to build a solid player base for the future,” he said.

Ziehl also revealed that there were plans to send a Zimbabwe ‘A’ side for a tour of Sri Lanka, where they are scheduled to play three four-day matches and three one-day games from April 26 to May 29 before the visit by India in June.

India are expected to tour Zimbabwe for five ODIs and two T20s while ZC has said they have tours lined up against India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh this year.

Zimbabwe will no longer enjoy the comfort of automatic qualification for the next edition of the 50-over World Cup following the ICC’s decision to reduce the number of participating teams from 14 to 12 teams.

However, with Zimbabwe on a gradual freefall on the ICC rankings, there are genuine fears about the team failing to qualify for the 2019 ICC World Cup, a development which could have serious financial repercussions for ZC.

Hosts England and the seven best-ranked sides in the ICC ODIs rankings by September 30 will earn automatic qualification to the World Cup.

The bottom four sides in the rankings-based qualification system for the World Cup join Associate sides in a World Cup qualifier that will be staged in Bangladesh in 2018 to determine the final two teams in the line-up.

[Googly]

There is absolutely no chance of Zimbabwe qualifying for the WC. I know I will be cussed yet again for being the Doomsday guy (Eugene), but for those of you that keep wondering how long we can keep dragging it out for, here lies the answer.
KZ's plan to give the young guys a chance is a decent one because it really is pointless rehashing the same old but....

[Googly]

It's late in the day but they should have made plans to send the best prospects to Aussie Academies, then maybe some reciprocity with English club sides. You only need a few really good players to keep you vaguely in the mix. I'm not sure why people keep thinking this latest u19 side did well. They won a few hearts but there aren't too many prospects amongst them. If you took the best guys over the last 3 U19 WC' s then for sure you would have had a good nucleus. From the previous WC we produced Jongwe, Burl and Moor. They all have huge potential. They need to try and keep Bruce interested as well, he's a good player. At this last WC we saw for the first time a few exceptional players not making themselves available and although it should have rung huge warning bells at ZC, I don't think it has really. I'm guessing it's perceived as an act of disloyalty with a racial overtone. The lesson won't be learnt and I'm already hearing mutterings about ignoring white kids as they usually leave anyway. It's the wrong attitude, but what's new? Of course even the dimmest amongst them are now aware that a rabbit has to be pulled out of the hat before 2018 or the gravy train mostly derails. The two years remaining is too late and in cricketing terms it's the same as tomorrow, but they're not bright enough to work that out. If they could get Huchu, Curtis, Lake, Jongwe, Evans, Burl, Moor, Murray, Welch, Ngarava, Matigimu, Byrom and a couple of others playing in the A side you would have some serious players by 2018. They have the money as well, they are just not competent enough to do it, nor do they have the will. The usual "selectors" and I use that term very loosely, just have no idea what a talented cricketer actually looks like. The horse has bolted on a couple of them, but there's still some amazing players here.

[ZIMDOGGY]

snyder is gud enuf... b8r wth the bat

Why do you type like that?

[eugene]

Googly, I agree with you. We have no chance of qualifying for the World Cup. I don't see us beating Afghanistan, who will probably take the 10th spot.

[ZIMDOGGY]

Would it be feasable to include an extra first class team? Just like the CFX Academy a few years back. Surely something along those lines would give exposure to the younger players mentioned. Maybe if 11 players were not quite up it, you could make up the difference with those not selected for for their current franchise, thus making it more competetive?

You could add 6 more first class teams if you wanted! But the problem is it needs to be at a certain standard, as it is, the jump is too big from domestic to international in Zimbabwe.