Zimbabwe Vs West Indies | 2nd Test | 12-16 Feb 2023 | Bulawayo

[TapsC2]

One thing that I echoed earlier about Kaia and Mavuta is the experience abroad. Apart from them two, Burl and blessing you can't point out anyone else under 30 who looks/started to look somewhat consistent according to Zim standards. Evans has a good chance to become a vital cog, Nyauchi & Welli have had some performances and Ngarava has certainly improved in the shorter formats. Mavuta and Kaia have upped their game ever since having their stints in England and Australia. We need more of that. Yes Wes, Milton, Maru, Bennett, Welch jnr, Munyonga , Madande all have potential but they need such stints abroad to be competitive and consistent against the top nations. Our domestic scene is certainly better than what is was in the recent past but when guys like naqvi, compton absolutely dominate the scene with no bruises it shows we still have a long way to go.

Very good point. Wes Shumba Marumani and Madande could use some UK club cricket

[Ming]

How did Kaia develop his game?

He's done the hard yards, gained 10 years of experience, including eating sh!t back in the day when the Rocks where the whipping boys of the franchise system.

You can't buy experience.

[secretzimbo]

How did Kaia develop his game?

He’s played quite a few seasons in both the U.K. and Australia. He’s also just been around a long time and worked hard. He, like many, always looked talented and decent but without making big runs - until a few years ago when something seemingly clicked.

I actually called for him to be in the Test team in early 2021. They picked Roy and I said at the time his brother Innocent would be a similar prospect or better in that format.

His random inclusion in a T20 much later that year was super bizarre and unexpected and kinda ridiculous as he hadn’t played any T20 for two years at that point ! He only got picked because he just happened to be in the U.K., everyone was injured (as usual), and Dion Myers disappeared to University mid-series without notifying ZC. So that selection was ridiculed considering the circumstances and the format. But he was already well in line in red ball cricket by then

[Xlife]

What's next on the schedule, is it the Dutch in March?

[sam_ahm]

Shumba has regressed by enormous margins. His decline has been shocking. Same goes for Madhevere, one by one he has lost his place in almost all formats now.

I don't know what inspired the selection of Makoni, Tsiga and Chibhabha, but if they are the next best then Zimbabwe are in deep trouble.

Masvaure, Kaitano could have been better options. I'd probably have gone for J Campbell as well and of course Madande over Tsiga was a no brainer.

Very very disappointed at this result. Absolutely disgusting. A rare test series has been sacrificed.

[ZIMFAN]

Of the younger names mentioned in the thread above could the seasoned people on the ground (SZ, googly) provide updates on...

Myers - didn't know he fucked off to uni without telling ZC. He must be in year 2/3. Is he coming back or have plans too?

Bennett - Him playing FC is good. Is he sticking around?

Welch Jnr - Has he played FC? What are his plans??

I think they missed Regis too. Leader, fighter, batsman and keeper. We are not strong enough to not put our best XI on the field and he is still in it. Mire got to dick about I. Australia and still get picked. Why not Regis?

Does anyone know of any more people they are reaching out to...Melton etc?

[Googly]

As far as I'm aware most top batters have had one or two individual coaches that they've stuck with throughout their junior years and perhaps early on in their pro careers. A guy that they can rely on to give them one on one. Once you're in a team environment your time with the coach is limited because he's got 11 other guys to coach, perhaps 6 batters in any given session. If you haven't got your shit together by this time you're a bit lost. I usually see throwers compete with the batsmen instead of recognising he needs to repeat a shot ad nauseum until its grooved.
Or he needs a sequence of deliveries on repeat so he can think about the mental aspect of the game and learn exactly when to score, leave or defend. Its muscle memory and mental fortitude. The best guys have had some smart sucker spend years helping them, and usually for free.
I recall there being a bit of animosity because Grant Flower supposedly spent more time with BT "after hours" than any of the others, but if it was a genuine problem if you're at national level and you cant find a thrower 5 days a week there's something very wrong.
It's also not a lot of fun throwing to a guy of average ability and the flip side is its extremely rewarding throwing to someone with real talent.

[secretzimbo]

Of the younger names mentioned in the thread above could the seasoned people on the ground (SZ, googly) provide updates on...

Myers - didn't know he fucked off to uni without telling ZC. He must be in year 2/3. Is he coming back or have plans too?

Bennett - Him playing FC is good. Is he sticking around?

Welch Jnr - Has he played FC? What are his plans??

I think they missed Regis too. Leader, fighter, batsman and keeper. We are not strong enough to not put our best XI on the field and he is still in it. Mire got to dick about I. Australia and still get picked. Why not Regis?

Does anyone know of any more people they are reaching out to...Melton etc?

Myers - not sure. There’s no evidence of him playing any level of cricket whatsoever in the U.K. which is strange. He did come back last year for that Afghanistan series which suggests he may still be interested long term but taking 3-4 years out completely is very silly. He won’t reach the heights he’s capable of.

It’s great that Bennett has been playing. Let’s hope he sticks around but it’s difficult on $500 a month. You have to be really really motivated to tough it out like he needs to, especially when he has other life options.

Welch Jr played in the domestic T20 last year and lots of club cricket but has gone awol. Had an injury but just have recovered by now? It’s a shame we haven’t seen him.

Bawa was the other talented one. Gone to uni and not interested.

Ya Chakabva is a gigantic miss especially in Tests. For his leadership especially. Tsiga was mute behind the stumps.
You look at Tsiga, and no offence to him , but you really start pining for old Reggie.

[Donald]

Myers came back briefly last year and played a solitary one day match against afghanistan.
Looked a little undercooked and not suprisingly.
Think he will be back at some stage.

[Donald]

Secret zimbo will pour cold water on my suggestion but the really form wicket keeper at the moment is Joylord Gumbie if you look at his latest figures. Bats with compton too at top of order. Seems a late bloomer in the Kaia/Kaitano mold.
Could do worse than him for ireland afghanistan tests.